At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive profitable growth in a key underwriting role with real decision-making power.
- Company: Join one of the UK’s leading insurers, Aviva, known for its inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus opportunities, generous holidays, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Access to advanced training and development through the Commercial Lines Academy.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping portfolios and building strong broker relationships.
- Qualifications: Significant underwriting experience and strong technical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 75000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced commercial underwriter who enjoys owning decisions, shaping portfolios and being trusted to trade? This is an opportunity to step into a genuinely influential role within one of the UK’s leading insurers, where your judgement, market insight and broker relationships really matter.
We are looking for a New Business Senior Underwriter to play a key role in driving profitable growth across our Mid-Market portfolio in London. You will have real autonomy, meaningful authority and the chance to influence how we trade with our broker partners in a highly visible market.
A bit about the job:
- As a New Business Property & Casualty Senior Underwriter, you will take ownership of growing a profitable and sustainable book across a broad portfolio.
- You will be trusted to make confident decisions on larger, more complex and higher-risk cases, operating within agreed underwriting authority and appetite whilst supporting the development of a number of New Business underwriters.
- You will bring energy, commitment and leadership.
- You will work closely with broker partners, building strong, credible trading relationships and using data and insight to monitor portfolio performance, identify trends and drive sustainable growth.
- This includes face to face visits both inside and outside of London operating on a hybrid basis with 50% office attendance over the month.
- A key part of the role is supporting the wider underwriting team. You will act as a senior referral point and play an active part in developing capability through coaching, mentoring, audits and technical reviews.
- You will also support the implementation of changes to underwriting policy, appetite and processes, helping to keep the team commercially sharp and aligned to strategy.
- Furthermore, you’ll support the Team Manager and other senior stakeholders with ad hoc tasks.
Commercial Lines Academy – Senior Development at Aviva:
As part of your development, you’ll have access to the Commercial Lines Academy, which offers:
- Advanced technical underwriting pathways
- Multi-class learning and licensing progression
- Trading, negotiation and broker-engagement skills training
- Leadership and coaching development
- Market exposure, networking and shadowing opportunities
- Data-driven insights to strengthen technical decision-making
The Academy is a key part of Aviva’s commitment to building and supporting high-performing underwriting talent.
Skills and experience we’re looking for:
- Significant underwriting experience across Property & Liability, ideally within commercial or mid-market environments.
- Strong technical underwriting capability, with confidence assessing, pricing and structuring complex and higher-risk cases.
- Experience operating with senior underwriting authority and or acting as a key technical referral point.
- A strong commercial mindset, with the ability to lead senior-level broker discussions and trading negotiations.
- Experience coaching, mentoring and supporting the development of other underwriters, underpinned by a solid understanding of FCA requirements, regulatory responsibilities and governance standards.
What you’ll get for this role:
- Salary - Circa £75,000 (depending on location, skills, experience, and qualifications)
- Bonus opportunity - 10% of annual salary. Actual amount depends on your performance and Aviva’s.
- Generous pension scheme – Aviva will contribute up to 14%, depending on what you put in.
- 29 days holiday plus bank holidays, and you can choose to buy or sell up to 5 days.
- Aviva-funded Private Medical Benefit to help you get expert support when you need it.
- Make your money go further – up to 40% discount on Aviva products, and other retailer discounts.
- Up to £1,200 of free Aviva shares per year through our Matching Share Plan and share in the success of Aviva with our Save As You Earn scheme.
- Brilliantly supportive policies including parental and carer’s leave.
- Flexible benefits to suit you, including sustainability options such as cycle to work.
- Make a difference, be part of our Aviva Communities and use your 3 paid volunteering days to help others.
- We take your wellbeing seriously with lots of support and tools.
Aviva is for everyone: We’re inclusive and welcome everyone – we want applications from all backgrounds and experiences. Excited but not sure you tick every box? Even if you don’t, we would still encourage you to apply. We also consider all forms of flexible working, including part time and job shares. We flex locations, hours and working patterns to suit our customers, business, and you. Most of our people are smart working – spending at least 50% of their time in our offices every week - combining the benefits of flexibility, with time together with colleagues.
Senior Underwriter - New Business Property & Casualty in London employer: Aviva plc
Aviva is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees, offering access to the Commercial Lines Academy for advanced technical training and leadership development. With a strong focus on work-life balance, generous benefits including a competitive salary, bonus opportunities, and a supportive work culture, Aviva fosters an inclusive environment where every team member can thrive and make a meaningful impact in the dynamic London market.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Underwriter - New Business Property & Casualty in London
✨Dive Into Industry Networking Events
Get your foot in the door by attending insurance industry events and conferences. Not only will you learn about the latest trends, but you'll also meet potential employers and industry peers. Check out local chapters of professional bodies like the Chartered Insurance Institute for valuable meetups.
✨Use LinkedIn to Your Advantage
Don’t underestimate the power of LinkedIn in the insurance world. Engage with industry content, join relevant groups, and connect with professionals at companies you admire (like Aviva plc). A thoughtful message explaining your interest can really make a difference!
✨Look Out for Graduate Schemes
Many firms in insurance have structured graduate programmes. Keep an eye on application windows and utilise your university's career services for insider tips. These schemes are designed to develop talent and often lead to permanent roles after your initial training.
✨Leverage Your Current Connections
Got friends or family in the industry? Now’s the time to reach out! Personal referrals can give you a head start, so let them know you're on the lookout for full-time opportunities at places like Aviva plc. Don’t shy away from asking for a coffee chat; you never know what doors it might open!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Underwriter - New Business Property & Casualty in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In insurance, we love a candidate who can crunch numbers and analyse data effectively. When crafting your CV, make sure to showcase any relevant coursework or experiences that highlight your analytical abilities, especially if you’ve tackled risk assessment or financial modelling.
Showcase Industry Knowledge:Don’t be shy about your knowledge of the insurance sector! We want to see that you've done your homework on current trends, regulations, and challenges in the industry. Mention any relevant projects or studies you’ve completed that demonstrate your understanding of the field in your cover letter.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you’re passionate about insurance. Share any personal experiences or what drew you into this profession. We’re looking for enthusiasm and a clear motivation for why you want to be part of our team at Aviva plc.
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don't just send a generic CV! Focus on tailoring it specifically for the insurance role at Aviva plc. Highlight relevant skills such as risk management, customer service experience, or any certifications you've earned in the industry to make your application stand out.
How to prepare for a job interview at Aviva plc
✨Know Your Numbers: Insurance Fundamentals
Brush up on your understanding of key insurance concepts, like underwriting principles and risk assessment. Expect the interviewer at Aviva plc to throw some technical questions your way, so be ready to demonstrate your grasp of these essentials.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Side
In the insurance world, it's all about data. Prepare to discuss any analytical tools or methodologies you've used in past experiences. If you have a portfolio of projects where you've tackled complex data, bring that along to impress the team!
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
As a full-timer at Aviva plc, they'll want to know how you handle real-life scenarios, not just theory. Think about challenges you've faced in teamwork or customer service, and how those experiences can relate to a career in insurance.
✨Know the Company Culture Inside Out
Understanding Aviva plc's values and workplace culture is essential. Don’t just memorise their mission statement; think about how your personal values align with theirs. This will show your genuine interest in being part of their team long-term.