Underwriting Innovation Manager

Shape the future of underwriting - Lead the design and delivery of next-gen systems, processes, and digital solutions. Blend innovation with execution - Bring big ideas to life in a role that spans strategy, tech, and underwriting transformation.

Hybrid and location-flexible - Base yourself at Stratford-upon-Avon (Head Office), York, Bristol or Glasgow, with up to 80% homeworking. Monthly travel to Head Office and occasional visits to other offices will be required.

About the role

At NFU Mutual, we’re on an exciting journey to transform our underwriting capability - and this role will be central to making that happen. You’ll lead the development and delivery of future-ready underwriting solutions that blend people, process, and technology to support smarter decisions and better outcomes. This role sits at the heart of our strategy for underwriting excellence. You’ll shape and oversee the execution of technology roadmaps, ensuring our platforms - such as underwriting workbenches, policy systems, and AI-enabled tools - are aligned to business goals and evolving customer needs. From defining and prioritising requirements to influencing decisions around architecture and solution design, you’ll make sure our systems are not only fit for today but set up for what comes next.

But this role is broader than technology. You’ll also contribute to how we embed new capabilities, improve processes, and uplift underwriting skillsets across the function. You’ll be a key link between local change initiatives and enterprise-level programmes, bringing a strong commercial lens to conversations around risk appetite, rules management, and strategic growth. You’ll work closely with a range of stakeholders - including senior leaders, change and IT teams, and external partners - while also engaging with market developments and bringing fresh insight into how we shape our future capability. It’s a role with breadth, influence, and the chance to make a genuine mark on how underwriting is delivered at NFU Mutual.

About you

You’ll bring a strong blend of strategic thinking, commercial awareness, and hands-on delivery to this role - combining a deep understanding of underwriting with the ability to shape and implement future-facing solutions. Whether it’s driving digital transformation, leading complex programmes, or influencing senior stakeholders, you’re confident operating at pace and with purpose in a change-driven environment. We’re looking for someone who can bridge the gap between underwriting expertise and technology innovation - someone who can translate big-picture goals into practical, value-adding outcomes.

You’ll thrive in this role if you have:

• Experience of underwriting systems and process transformation - You understand how underwriting platforms operate within the wider ecosystem, and have experience delivering or supporting change that improves usability, efficiency, and decision quality.
• A background in commercial underwriting - Ideally, you’ll bring technical underwriting knowledge, particularly in Commercial Lines, giving you the credibility to shape future capability and represent the function effectively in key forums.
• A track record of delivering digital and data-led solutions - Whether through AI, automation, or smarter use of external data sources, you’ve helped drive innovation that supports better risk selection and risk assessment decisions.
• Strong programme and project management skills - You’re comfortable navigating governance frameworks, managing multiple priorities, and delivering outcomes through structured change activity.
• Strategic thinking and cross-functional collaboration - You can see the bigger picture, spot opportunities for improvement, and bring people together across functions to turn ideas into action.
• Influence and leadership in change - You’re skilled at shaping conversations, building buy-in, and leading others - formally or informally - through complex change. You can balance commercial priorities with practical delivery needs, and aren’t afraid to challenge when needed.

At NFU Mutual, we support an inclusive workplace and value all the differences that make us unique. We celebrate the creativity and innovation that comes from diverse perspectives and experiences and share a common vision of doing the right thing for our customers and employees. We recognise that some candidates may experience barriers during the recruitment process. So, we encourage candidates to discuss any adjustments or accommodations they need to be the best they can be throughout our recruitment process. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, a Race at Work and Women in Finance Charter signatory and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, regardless of age, ethnicity, disability, neurodiversity, gender, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background.

Benefits and Rewards

When you join our team, you can expect a supportive culture and an attractive range of rewards and benefits including:

• Salary - circa £90,000
• Annual bonus (up to 25% of salary)
• Contributory pension scheme, up to 20%, including your 8% contribution
• 28 days annual leave + bank holidays + buy/sell/save holiday trading scheme
• A Family Friendly policy that helps you balance your work and family responsibilities
• Private medical insurance + options to add family members
• Access to savings at High Street brands, travel and supermarkets
• £20 contribution to a monthly gym membership - subject to T&Cs
• Health and wellbeing plan - cashback for dentist, opticians, physio and more
• Employee Volunteering - volunteer in the community for one day each year
• Unlimited access to Refer a Friend £500 bonus scheme
• Life Assurance cover of 4 x salary
• Employee discounts of 15% on a range of NFU Mutual insurance policies.

Working at NFU Mutual

We’re one of the UK’s leading general insurance and financial services companies. For over 110 years we’ve put our customers at the heart of everything we do. Our people are just as important to us. We pride ourselves on being "a great place to work" and our Gallup Exceptional Workplace 2025 award was not only awarded with Distinction but also named us as the first UK-based company to receive a Gallup Exceptional Workplace for ten years in a row. We are also the only Insurer to feature in the LinkedIn Top 15 Companies 2025 list of ‘Best midsize employers to grow your career in the UK’, the Glassdoor Best Places to Work UK List 2023 and 2024, and were recognised as a certified UK Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute in 2023, 2024 and 2025. We offer a supportive culture where we empower and inspire our people to perform, offer them opportunities to grow, and recognise and reward their contribution. Our people are proud to work for a company that respects them and their communities, and they trust us to be financially sustainable, so we are successful now and in the future.