Associate Technical Underwriter in Haywards Heath

At 1st Central, everything starts with our people. As one of the UK’s leading motor and home insurers, we use smart technology, data and great service to make insurance fast, fair and simple for over 1.4 million customers. We’re proud to create an environment where people feel supported, trusted and able to grow – whether that’s developing new skills, taking on fresh challenges or making a real impact every day. If you’re looking for a role where you can make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

We’re looking for an Associate Technical Underwriter to join our Underwriting & Assurance Team. If you’re keen to build your career in insurance and develop strong technical expertise, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. In this role, you’ll play a key part in shaping and optimising our underwriting approach, supporting performance monitoring, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and contributing to the overall effectiveness of our underwriting footprint.

You’ll gain hands‑on experience while building your knowledge of insurance risks, underwriting rules, and regulatory requirements. You’ll work closely with experienced colleagues, supporting underwriting decisions and helping ensure they’re applied consistently, accurately, and in line with best practice. You’ll also get involved in maintaining underwriting controls and supporting exciting projects across the team, all while developing a solid foundation of technical underwriting expertise that will set you up for future growth.

We’re big on flexible hybrid working. Our teams are based across Salford Quays (Manchester) and Haywards Heath (West Sussex). We primarily work from home but value collaboration, so we come together in person to keep ideas flowing, typically once a month. Prefer being in the office more often? That works for us too.

Core skills we’re looking for:

• Analytical Thinking & Problem Solving: Strong analytical capability with the ability to interpret data and solve problems effectively.
• Industry or Customer‑Focused Experience: Experience in insurance, finance, or a customer‑focused regulated environment.
• Technical Aptitude: Ability to quickly learn, understand and apply technical information.
• Attention to Detail & Accuracy: High level of accuracy with a strong focus on detail and quality of output.
• Organisation & Time Management: Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage priorities and meet deadlines.
• IT & Digital Proficiency: Confident using IT systems, including Excel and emerging AI tools.

What’s involved:

• Support the application of the Home underwriting criteria and rules in line with company risk appetite.
• Assist in reviewing underwriting decisions, referrals, and queries, ensuring underwriting decisions are accurate, consistent, and in line with policy and regulation.
• Develop a good understanding of core underwriting principles and pricing concepts and the use of data in decision making.
• Work closely with senior team members to develop technical expertise.
• Assist in maintaining and updating underwriting documentation.
• Support the review and continuous improvement of underwriting rules and criteria.
• Analyse data to identify trends and support insights and recommendations.
• Assist in testing underwriting rules and systems to ensure accuracy.
• Develop understanding of key regulatory requirements, including FCA rules and principles, Consumer Duty and Treating Customers Fairly (TCF).
• Build effective working relationships with pricing, claims, customer‑facing teams and operations.
• Develop awareness of emerging trends in the insurance market and changes to underwriting practices.

Background:

• Experience in insurance, finance, or a customer‑focused role (desirable but not essential).
• Interest in underwriting, risk assessment, or data‑driven decision making.
• Basic understanding of insurance principles and risk and underwriting concepts.
• Willingness to develop knowledge of the UK insurance market and regulatory requirements.

Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to learn and apply technical information.
• High level of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong organisational and time‑management skills.
• Proficient IT skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

Behaviours:

• Eagerness to learn and develop.
• Positive and proactive attitude.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Collaborative and team‑oriented.
• Takes ownership of tasks and responsibilities.

With hands‑on experience, real impact and great people, apply today and build your future in underwriting. Ready to join us? We’re looking for talented people who want to make a real impact for our customers, colleagues and business.