Senior Underwriter - New Business Property & Casualty
Salary - Circa £75,000
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 including improving Quote and Hit rate and challenging them to think differently in order to support growth. 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. Motor trade would be an advantage but not essential.
- 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:
Our purpose - with you today, for a better tomorrow – is a promise we make to our colleagues too. And one of the ways we live up to that promise is by investing in you. We have so much to offer when it comes to being an Aviva colleague.
- 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.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Underwriter - New Business Property & Casualty
✨Get Involved in Local Property Events
Dive into local property expos and networking events! Real estate thrives on connections, so attending these events helps us meet potential employers and industry leaders, plus it's a chance to show off your enthusiasm for the field.
✨Connect with Local Agents on Social Media
Follow and engage with local real estate agents and firms on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. Sharing their posts and commenting with your insights can put you on their radar and might even lead to job opportunities at companies like Aviva plc.
✨Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like Aviva plc? Don't hesitate to send a direct message or an email expressing your interest. Personalise your approach, maybe mentioning a recent listing or project of theirs, and it could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Utilise Property Management Platforms
Check out property management platforms and job boards tailored for the real estate sector. They often have exclusive listings, especially for full-time roles. Don't forget to visit Aviva plc's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Real-Estate Savvy:When crafting your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight any relevant experience in the real estate sector. If you've done internships, assistant roles, or even relevant coursework, lay it out clearly. We want to see your familiarity with market trends, property management, or any sales experience you've got under your belt!
Quantify Your Achievements:In real estate, numbers speak volumes! When detailing your past roles, use concrete figures to demonstrate your achievements. For example, mention how many properties you sold, the percentage increase in client satisfaction, or any successful negotiations. These metrics can give your application that extra punch it needs!
Tailor Your Documents for the Job:Every application should feel personal. When applying for the Senior Underwriter - New Business Property & Casualty role at Aviva plc, tweak your CV to focus on aspects that are important to them. If they value client relationships, emphasise your interpersonal skills. We want to see you aligning your experiences with what they're looking for!
Keep It Professional Yet Approachable:While we want you to show off your expertise, don't forget to let your personality shine through in your cover letter. A touch of friendliness can set you apart, especially in real estate where client interaction is key. Show that you're ready not just to work with the property but also with people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aviva plc
✨Know Your Market Trends
In real estate, it’s all about staying ahead of the curve. Make sure we brush up on the latest market trends in the area where Aviva plc operates. Being able to discuss local property values, demand, and upcoming developments will show that we’re not just interested in the job, but genuinely invested in the industry.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions during the interview. We might get asked how we’d handle different client situations or property evaluations. Preparing our responses for common real estate scenarios not only demonstrates our problem-solving skills but also shows that we can think on our feet in a client-facing role.
✨Showcase Your Connections
In full-time real estate, networking is key! Let’s think about our connections in the industry and what we can bring to Aviva plc. Whether it’s insights on prospective clients or relationships with local contractors, talking about these experiences can set us apart from other candidates.
✨Demonstrate Technical Savvy
Familiarity with different real estate software tools is a big plus. We should be ready to discuss any platforms we've used, whether it's for property management, CRM, or data analysis. Being comfortable with technology not only makes us more efficient, but also shows that we’re adaptable to the tools used at Aviva plc.
