Senior Hull and War Underwriter

The Senior Underwriter role offers a key leadership role within one of the leading Hull & War teams in the London market. Acting as a key deputy to the Head of Hull and War, the role supports leadership of the function and contributes to the delivery of the Hull and War business plans.

The role combines senior underwriting responsibility across Hull and War portfolios with oversight of performance metrics, portfolio management, and the development of new business opportunities. It also includes responsibility for managing underwriting assistants, driving cultural and process improvements, and supporting strategic initiatives such as project work, presentations, and annual planning.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite Hull and War risks in line with the agreed underwriting strategy, authority levels and business plans, demonstrating strong underwriting rigor and judgement.
• Support the Head of Hull and War with strategy development, annual planning, portfolio oversight and senior level presentations.
• Monitor, analyse and report on portfolio performance, key performance indicators and emerging areas of concern, providing regular insight and recommendations to the Head of Hull and War.
• Peer review underwriting decisions to support consistent decision making, effective risk management and adherence to underwriting guidelines.
• Manage and support underwriting assistants, encouraging development, inclusive behaviours and a strong performance culture.
• Drive the successful adoption of new processes and actively lead change initiatives across the team.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with brokers, clients and coverholders, including oversight and effective management of coverholder relationships.
• Identify, develop and pursue new business opportunities across Hull and War in line with the agreed business plan.
• Support and deliver project work aligned to Hull and War and wider Marine & Energy objectives.
• Work collaboratively with the Head of Hull and War, wider underwriting team, actuarial, finance, claims, IPA and other stakeholders to implement underwriting strategy and monitor progress.
• Champion continuous improvement, working with the team to enhance end to end processes, data quality and ways of working.
• Attend regular broker and client meetings and travel as required to represent Markel and strengthen market relationships.
• Apply appropriate underwriting and risk management practices, including authority, guideline and aggregation controls.

Key Skills

• Demonstrable experience as a Hull and War underwriter within the London market.
• Exposure to portfolio management and performance monitoring.
• Strong analytical capability with the ability to interpret data, assess portfolio performance and find opportunities for optimisation.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective broker and client relationships.
• A growth oriented attitude, with the confidence to lead change and continuous improvement.
• Have a network of London and international distribution channels.
• Strong data literacy and ability to interpret portfolio and performance data.
• Confident communicator, able to influence brokers, peers and senior stakeholders.
• Desirable experience supporting or mentoring junior team members or assistants.

Benefits

• A great starting salary plus annual bonus and strong benefits package.
• Up to 16% company pension scheme.
• Private medical and dental cover.
• Menopause plan.
• Emergency care benefit for children, pets and dependants.
• Income protection and life assurance.
• Electric car scheme.
• Travel insurance.
• 25 days paid holiday plus bank holidays, with the opportunity to buy or sell extra leave.