Underwriter II - 6 Month Fixed Term Contract

This opportunity is within the US Casualty Team within the London Wholesale Casualty unit. The US Casualty team write predominantly open market Insured’s that are generally the Fortune 1000 companies. Insured’s are domiciled in the US, and the account is split among Global Fortune (Industrial, Manufacturing, Mining, Chemical, OLT), Commercial Construction, Rail (Passenger and Freight), Life Science, and Trucking. Business is written using both the Lloyd’s and Company stamp and there is some Delegated Authority business written. Business is a mix of Lead Umbrella and Excess Business. This business has been written in London since 2003. The team is led by Glen Secular and consists of 5 Underwriters based in London, and two Underwriting Assistants based in Poland. The business is supported by Claims, Actuarial, Finance, and Risk Consulting, which are a key part of the process given complex Insured’s written and the technical involvement required. The team are a Leader in the market, often leading off Quota Share placements.

At this level the role holder supports all aspects of the underwriting operations within the central region in accordance with corporate and divisional guidelines. This includes but is not limited to portfolio profitability, account pricing, portfolio rate change, renewal retention, marketing, new business production, development of staff and broker and client management. The role holder must possess technical expertise and may personally handle the more complex risks within the territory. Further, the role holder will act as a senior contact for insureds and brokers in the assigned geographic territory. Ensure strategic growth and development of the business in line with company objectives while retaining Clients. The role holder is required to maintain visibility in the community thereby reinforcing AXA XL’s brand in the community. Travel to accomplish this objective is required. The role holder will support AXA XL’s cross-sell objectives by understanding capabilities across other lines of business and maintaining open communication with colleagues in other departments. This is a regulated role under the Central Bank of Ireland’s Fitness and Probity regime.

What you’ll be doing: Joining AXA XL as an experienced Underwriter you will have the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients to provide an innovative and bespoke underwriting service. Each risk we consider is unique which means our clients and Brokers should enjoy a best practice, market leading experience of working with us. In your underwriting role you will be responsible for writing new and renewal business for an allocated range of clients across the book, working with Brokers and direct clients, in support of the profitable growth of the book. The role will include providing innovative pricing and policy wordings, supporting any claims within your client base and monitoring exposure levels with the respective Actuarial and Claims teams.

What will your essential responsibilities include?

• Reviewing submissions including applications, policy wording, inspection reports, loss runs, and financial reports while conducting appropriate research to determine degree of risk for each account.
• Calculating appropriate risk premium by considering the risk costs inherent to the sector, reinsurance cessions as well as the Underwriting and general administration costs while ensuring profitability.
• Proactively advising, assisting, servicing and following up with clients on insurance and risk management matters to ensure satisfaction and fulfillment of their insurance requirements.
• Effective relationship management to initiate opportunities for cross-selling offered products and ensuring account retention.
• Controlling timely implementation of new and renewed accounts according to quality standards.
• Underwriting business within the agreed business plan and individual authority.
• Supporting the design and structure of risks.
• Supporting departmental strategy and achieving P&L metrics.
• Imparting knowledge of underwriting principles, procedures and controls to team members.
• Maintain visibility in the market by marketing to insureds and brokers.
• Reviewing loss control reports and managing policy endorsement requests to process any necessary changes to the policy.
• Supporting the business planning and forecasting process; monitoring financial exposure within outlined limits; monitoring premium income to ensure it remains within set limits.
• Maintaining awareness of all claims advised while supporting and providing input on settlement of claims.
• Working collaboratively in a team environment, assisting underwriters, underwriting assistants and the management team.

You will report to Head of Healthcare and US Casualty.

What you’ll bring: We’re looking for someone who has these abilities and skills:

• Proven experience of underwriting, ideally with a proven track record of profitable underwriting in this line of business.
• Good industry knowledge and awareness of factors affecting this market.
• Excellent customer service skills, including excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrable analytical, negotiation and sales skills.
• Experience in policy development and broker management in the respective line(s) of business.
• Knowledge of functionality of systems including excellent technical skills with Microsoft Office and other relevant systems.
• Ability to respond to a changing environment with flexibility and innovation.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, communication including active listening skills, networking, marketing and collaboration skills evidencing public speaking and presentation experience.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with customers, producers and brokers.
• Excellent time management skills; ability to multi-task.
• Ability to lead in accordance with AXA XL’s 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.

Sustainability: At AXA XL, Sustainability is integral to our business strategy. In an ever-changing world, AXA XL protects what matters most for our clients and communities. We know that sustainability is at the root of a more resilient future. Our 2023-26 Sustainability strategy, called “Roots of resilience”, focuses on protecting natural ecosystems, addressing climate change, and embedding sustainable practices across our operations.

Our Pillars:

• Valuing nature: How we impact nature affects how nature impacts us. Resilient ecosystems - the foundation of a sustainable planet and society – are essential to our future. We’re committed to protecting and restoring nature – from mangrove forests to the bees in our backyard – by increasing biodiversity awareness and inspiring clients and colleagues to put nature at the heart of their plans.
• Addressing climate change: The effects of a changing climate are far-reaching and significant. Unpredictable weather, increasing temperatures, and rising sea levels cause both social inequalities and environmental disruption. We're building a net zero strategy, developing insurance products and services, and mobilizing to advance thought leadership and investment in societal-led solutions.
• Integrating ESG: All companies have a role to play in building a more resilient future. Incorporating ESG considerations into our internal processes and practices builds resilience from the roots of our business. We’re training our colleagues, engaging our external partners, and evolving our sustainability governance and reporting.
• AXA Hearts in Action: We have established volunteering and charitable giving programs to help colleagues support causes that matter most to them, known as AXA XL’s “Hearts in Action” programs. These include our Matching Gifts program, Volunteering Leave, and our annual volunteering day – the Global Day of Giving.

For more information, please see axaxl.com/sustainability.

Who we are: AXA XL, the P&C and specialty risk division of AXA, is known for solving complex risks. For mid-sized companies, multinationals and even some inspirational individuals we don’t just provide re/insurance, we reinvent it. How? By combining a comprehensive and efficient capital platform, data-driven insights, leading technology, and the best talent in an agile and inclusive workspace, empowered to deliver top client service across all our lines of business − property, casualty, professional, financial lines and specialty. With an innovative and flexible approach to risk solutions, we partner with those who move the world forward. Learn more at axaxl.com.