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- Tasks: Lead underwriting strategy and inspire a talented team to achieve exceptional results.
- Company: Join Ecclesiastical Insurance, part of Benefact Group, a top-rated employer in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working, generous bonuses, and extensive health benefits.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative culture focused on sustainability and personal development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of underwriting while making a positive impact on society.
- Qualifications: ACII or equivalent with a strong background in senior underwriting roles.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Working hours: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Duration: Permanent
Location: Gloucester
Job Ref: 204890
Ecclesiastical Insurance, part of Benefact Group, is looking for a Head of Underwriting Direct to join our Gloucester office. Are you ready to shape strategy, inspire people, and elevate performance at the heart of a unique and meaningful market? We’re looking for an experienced Head of Underwriting Direct to lead underwriting strategy, quality, and financial performance across our Direct portfolio. You’ll be the figurehead for technical excellence and owner of portfolio outcomes, proactively managing key accounts and coaching our Underwriting talent to deliver sustainable, profitable growth and exceptional retention.
In this influential leadership role within the Direct Team, you’ll set direction and pace driving portfolio results, shaping pricing at both portfolio and key account level, and driving the team to turn underwriting strategy into day‑to‑day delivery balancing commercial goals with good customer outcomes.
Why join us? A collaborative and inclusive culture committed to making a difference and building a more sustainable future. Ranked amongst the UK's 15 Best Big Companies to Work For in 2025, we offer fantastic career and development opportunities within a rapidly growing, innovative Group—where all profits go to charity and good causes.
What You'll Be Doing
- Own portfolio performance across GWP, New Business, Retention, Rate Movement, and Profitability - balancing commercial targets with good customer outcomes.
- Shape pricing strategies at both portfolio and key account level.
- Act as a lead contributor to planning, bringing incisive analysis and constructive challenge.
- Set and maintain underwriting standards; actively engage with UK Underwriting Risk Appetite to ensure alignment and adherence.
- Use your own authority to best effect; cascade authority appropriately and govern it rigorously.
- Translate UW strategy into day‑to‑day practice, challenging where needed to support customer needs and the business plan.
- Lead the quality framework; meet audit and quality metrics or challenge and improve them where they are not fit for purpose.
- Drive the underwriting competency framework, building capability and succession; create and deliver technical training where relevant.
- Act as the senior referral point, disseminate expertise, and keep your own technical edge sharp.
- Champion smarter underwriting processes and tools that optimise accuracy, speed, and underwriting quality.
- Set clear expectations and celebrate high performance.
- Collaborate and partner closely within own area and across UK business teams to optimise performance.
- Represent underwriting matters confidently with internal stakeholders, key clients and market stakeholders.
- Balance portfolio outcomes and customer in your decision making, operate within the regulatory framework.
What You'll Need to Have
- ACII (or equivalent) and a proven track record in a senior underwriting role.
- Strong portfolio management expertise and commercial fluency.
What Makes You Stand Out
- Confident, influential communicator – credible at all levels internally and externally.
- Demonstrable coaching capability and a passion for developing others.
- The ability to apply critical thinking beyond standard guidelines and frame pragmatic, risk‑aware solutions.
How Success Will Be Measured
- Delivery against GWP, retention, rate, and profitability targets.
- Evidenced improvements in quality/audit outcomes and referral turnaround.
- Capability uplift and succession depth against the competency framework.
- Stakeholder feedback from key accounts and internal partners.
What We Offer
- A competitive salary – let’s discuss it
- Hybrid working
- Group Personal Pension – up to 12% employer contribution
- Generous annual bonus scheme: on‑target bonus between 10% and 40%
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays, and a holiday buy and sell scheme
- An array of health and wellbeing benefits, including private healthcare, income protection and life assurance
- £200 annual personal grant to a charity of your choice
- Encouraged to take at least one volunteering day per year
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Full study support to gain professional qualifications
- Access to virtual GP
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
We welcome applications from everyone. If you need any additional support during the recruitment process, then please let us know.
Head of Underwriting Direct employer: Benefact Group
Contact Detail:
Benefact Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Underwriting Direct
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the insurance industry, especially those who might know someone at Ecclesiastical Insurance. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Since they’re all about making a difference, think of examples from your past where you’ve contributed to positive outcomes. Show them you’re not just a fit for the role, but for their mission too!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You’ll want to clearly articulate your experience in portfolio management and underwriting strategy. Make it concise and impactful, so you leave a lasting impression on the interviewers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the team at Ecclesiastical Insurance.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Underwriting Direct
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience that match the Head of Underwriting Direct role. Highlight your portfolio management expertise and any leadership experience to show us you’re the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about underwriting and how you can contribute to our mission. Be specific about your achievements and how they align with our goals at Ecclesiastical Insurance.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: In your application, don’t forget to mention your coaching capabilities and how you’ve developed others in previous roles. We want to see how you can inspire and elevate performance within our team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Benefact Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Underwriting Direct, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of key performance indicators like GWP, retention rates, and profitability. Brush up on these metrics and be ready to discuss how you've influenced them in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires strong leadership skills, so think about examples where you've inspired teams or driven performance. Be prepared to share specific instances where your coaching has led to tangible improvements in underwriting quality or team capability.
✨Understand the Market
Familiarise yourself with the unique aspects of the insurance market that Ecclesiastical operates in. Research recent trends and challenges in underwriting, and be ready to discuss how you would shape pricing strategies and portfolio management in response.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your critical thinking and decision-making skills. Think through potential challenges you might encounter in this role and how you would balance commercial goals with customer outcomes while adhering to regulatory frameworks.