At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of Sompo’s UK Construction portfolio and drive profitable growth.
- Company: Join a global leader in insurance with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, health benefits, retirement plans, and tuition reimbursement.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of construction insurance while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: 15+ years of underwriting experience and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
We are seeking an accomplished and strategically minded Head of Construction to lead the development of Sompo’s UK Construction book. Based in London, this leadership role carries full responsibility for underwriting performance, P&L management, and strategic development of a diverse Construction portfolio. As the regional leader, you will set underwriting direction, drive profitable growth, and ensure the construction portfolio remains competitive, disciplined, and aligned with corporate objectives. You will oversee underwriting standards, guide market engagement, and partner with executive leadership to shape long-term regional strategies in a dynamic and expanding market.
What you’ll be doing:
- Portfolio Management – Develop and execute a strategy for the Construction portfolio. Oversee underwriting of complex and major construction risks, ensuring compliance with corporate governance, delegated authorities, and global underwriting standards. Take full ownership and accountability of the portfolio’s P&L, ensuring it is well-diversified and balanced in terms of risk profile and segmentation. Regular reporting, through data analysis and portfolio reviews will be a key responsibility.
- Team management – Be an active participant in the Energy and Construction leadership team, managing and mentoring junior members, fostering a high-performance culture. Contribute to the growth and profitability of the portfolio by playing a key part in defining the broader strategy and underwriting appetite.
- Stakeholder management – enhancing our existing and creating new relationships with clients, brokers and key internal and external stakeholders.
- Innovation and Product development – working alongside the pricing, claims, product and distribution teams to enhance our current offerings to refine product structures, wordings, and risk selection.
- Market analysis – monitoring all industry and product trends to refine underwriting strategy and product offerings.
- Administration – ensuring file keeping and client files are managed in accordance with our compliance and regulatory minimum standards.
- Marketing – Support marketing efforts, creating high quality, original solutions to enhance the reputation and market presence of Sompo.
- Lead annual business planning, budgeting, and performance forecasting for the Construction line of business.
What you’ll bring:
- Bachelor’s degree in insurance, engineering, finance, or a related field.
- 15+ years of underwriting experience, with substantial exposure to construction and engineering risks and at least 5 years in a leadership role.
- Deep expertise in underwriting major infrastructure, civil engineering, and complex construction projects on a global basis.
- Demonstrated ability to manage P&L responsibilities, drive portfolio performance, and lead strategic initiatives.
- Exceptional negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Proven track record building and leading multicultural teams in a matrix or regional environment.
At Sompo, we recognise that the talent, skills, and commitment of our employees drive our success. This is why we offer competitive, high-quality compensation and benefit programs to eligible employees. Our compensation program is built on a foundation that promotes a pay-for-performance culture, resulting in higher incentive awards, on average, when the Company does well and lower incentive awards when the Company underperforms. The total compensation opportunity for all regular, full-time employees is a combination of base salary and incentives that gets adjusted upfront based on overall Company performance with final awards based on individual performance. We continuously evaluate and update our benefit programs to ensure that our plans remain competitive and meet the needs of our employees and their dependents.
At Sompo, our shared purpose is to create meaningful value for clients, communities, and each other. We strive to foster a workplace where everyone feels respected, included, and empowered to excel. As a global organisation, we embrace diversity and champion equal opportunity. Guided by our core values—Accountability, Agility, Collaboration, Development, and Integrity—we build trust and support one another to achieve our goals worldwide.
Our values come to life in how we hire and grow talent. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and organisational need, and we strive to ensure equitable access to opportunities so everyone can do their best work. If you need an accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact the recruiter in charge. Sompo is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce.
SVP, Head of Construction in London employer: Endurance Business Services
Sompo is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative work environment in our London office where employees can thrive and build long-lasting careers. We prioritise employee growth through competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a culture that values diversity and inclusion, ensuring that every team member feels respected and empowered to excel. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying opportunities for professional development and a supportive workplace culture.
Contact Details:
Endurance Business Services Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SVP, Head of Construction in London
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Endurance Business Services, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like SVP, Head of Construction at Endurance Business Services.
We think you need these skills to ace SVP, Head of Construction in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Endurance Business Services
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
