Senior M&A Underwriter — UK, Hybrid Title & W&I

AXA XL provides a full suite of M&A products (W&I, tax and contingent liability insurance) to a broad range of corporate and financial institution clients, across a variety of sectors and jurisdictions. Our growing team of M&A underwriters based across London, Paris and New York gives us the capability to underwrite transactions globally. In London, our M&A underwriters work as part of a combined transactional risk group with our experienced Title team – this allows us also to provide hybrid Title and fundamental warranty coverage alongside our M&A products, which we believe gives us a unique place in the market. Our M&A practice now has a great opportunity for a senior underwriter to join our successful team. This is a regulated role under the Central Bank of Ireland’s Fitness and Probity regime.

As a Senior Underwriter you will play a critical role in the team, where you will focus on building our open market portfolio, underwriting transactions, negotiating policies (in particular primary W&I) and assisting with coverholder management. You will be expected to generate profitable premium and develop broker and client relationships, as we continue to grow our underwriting capabilities and market share.

What will your essential responsibilities include?

• TECHNICAL UNDERWRITING: leading and managing the underwriting process, including analysis and assessment of broker submissions; preparing quotes for deals (in line with our underwriting appetite and guidelines); review and analysis of transaction documentation, due diligence reports and disclosure documentation; instructing and liaising with external legal counsel; drafting underwriting questions and hosting underwriting calls; and drafting and negotiating policy coverage and terms.
• PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT: monitoring and managing status of accounts, financial exposure and premium collection; maintaining compliance with all internal and external underwriting guidelines and legal requirements; supporting the business planning and forecasting process; working with our colleagues in AXA XL’s claims team to support and provide input on settlement of claims.
• TEAMWORK: supporting team members through deals and day‑to‑day business issues; participation in round‑table discussions on risk assessment; and providing leadership and training to junior colleagues.
• EXECUTING UNDERWRITING STRATEGY: Achieve business unit performance goals; develop and manage underwriting strategies for growing our portfolio; identify, target and establish relationships with new clients, brokers, lawyers (whilst managing and developing existing relationships); and promoting the company's expertise by working with AXA XL colleagues and cross‑marketing with other AXA XL lines.

You will report to Head of M&A and Title, UK and Lloyd’s.

What you’ll bring

We’re looking for someone who has these abilities and skills:

• Required Skills and Abilities: Experience of transactional liability insurance (either as a broker/underwriter or from a client or adviser perspective), demonstrating technical knowledge. Either a qualified lawyer with experience of M&A (or other corporate transactional work) or alternatively other corporate experience working in a transaction‑oriented role. Influential negotiating skills and comfort working with legal documents. Excellent organisation, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in a fast‑paced environment with tight deadlines and deal‑time pressures.
• Desired Skills and Abilities: Robust sales and marketing plus customer service skills, with a proven track record in development of effective business relationships with brokers and insureds. Ability to develop and understand business processes, strategy and planning. Able to apply business understanding and/or management experience to set direction within the segment or function. Ability to lead in accordance with AXA XL Core Values and Culture.

What we offer

Inclusion: AXA XL is committed to equal employment opportunity and will consider applicants regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity and origins, marital status, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic. At AXA XL, we know that an inclusive culture enables business growth and is critical to our success. That’s why we have made a strategic commitment to attract, develop, advance and retain the most inclusive workforce possible, and create a culture where everyone can bring their full selves to work and reach their highest potential. It’s about helping one another — and our business — to move forward and succeed.

Five Business Resource Groups focused on gender, LGBTQ+, ethnicity and origins, disability and inclusion with 20 Chapters around the globe. Robust support for Flexible Working Arrangements. Enhanced family‑friendly leave benefits. Named to the Diversity Best Practices Index. Signatory to the UK Women in Finance Charter.

Learn more at axaxl.com/about-us/inclusion-and-diversity. AXA XL is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Total Rewards: AXA XL’s Reward program is designed to take care of what matters most to you, covering the full picture of your health, wellbeing, lifestyle and financial security. It provides competitive compensation and personalized, inclusive benefits that evolve as you do. We’re committed to rewarding your contribution for the long term, so you can be your best self today and look forward to the future with confidence.