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- Tasks: Drive profitable growth in Retail Property by underwriting new business and managing broker relationships.
- Company: Join HDI, a global insurer with over 120 years of experience and a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive environment, and opportunities for career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the UK Property strategy in a growth-oriented role.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in Commercial Property underwriting with strong broker relationship skills.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with potential for senior leadership roles.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
HDI is a Corporate & Specialty Insurer part of the Talanx Group. With over 120 years of experience, HDI operates across five continents, around 40 countries and employs over 5,000 people worldwide.
The Development Underwriter will play a key role in driving profitable growth within HDI's Retail Property portfolio. The role is focused on new business generation and proactive broker engagement — building high-quality relationships, identifying opportunities, and underwriting complex commercial property risks in line with our appetite, strategy and performance objectives. This position is ideal for an ambitious underwriter looking to step into a growth-oriented role with visibility, autonomy and direct impact on the UK Property strategy. The Retail Property portfolio is made up of Captives, Lead, Follow and Multinational business.
Key accountabilities
- New Business Growth: Proactively develop and underwrite new Retail Property business in line with HDI's risk appetite, rate adequacy and profitability targets.
- Broker Relationships: Build and maintain strong trading relationships with key brokers, particularly in the London and regional markets, ensuring HDI is positioned as a leading partner of choice.
- Underwriting Discipline: Evaluate and price risks accurately, applying sound technical judgement and maintaining underwriting discipline in accordance with governance and authority frameworks.
- Pipeline Management: Own and manage a healthy new business pipeline through HDI's CRM tools, ensuring transparency and accountability across key growth metrics.
- Collaboration: Work closely with colleagues across Property (Regional, London Market, Engineering, Claims and Reinsurance) to deliver a seamless, "One HDI" client experience.
- Market Insight: Monitor competitor activity and market trends to inform pricing, appetite and broker strategy.
- Portfolio Contribution: Contribute to portfolio reviews, performance analysis, and initiatives supporting sustainable growth and profitability.
Skills & experience
- Minimum 5 years' Commercial Property underwriting experience, ideally with a strong focus on UK retail or mid-market risks.
- Demonstrated success in new business development and broker relationship management.
- Technical understanding of property underwriting principles, wordings and rating methodologies.
- Proven ability to balance commercial decision-making with underwriting discipline.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills.
- Strong organisational skills with ability to prioritise and manage multiple opportunities.
- Confident using underwriting, CRM and portfolio management tools.
- Entrepreneurial and proactive, with a genuine passion for developing business and relationships.
- Collaborative team player who thrives in a fast-moving, empowered environment.
- Analytical, commercially astute, and committed to high standards of underwriting quality.
- Ambitious and career-driven, with the potential to grow into a senior underwriting or leadership role.
- Candidates from an Underwriting and Broking background will be considered.
As an equal opportunities employer, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, recognising that a diverse and inclusive workplace is a creative and prosperous one.
Development Underwriter - Property in London employer: HDI Global SE
Contact Detail:
HDI Global SE Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Underwriter - Property in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals, especially brokers. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. Building those relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for the role! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to express your enthusiasm for underwriting and the property market. Share your insights on current trends and how you can contribute to their growth strategy.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive in your approach! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out to companies you admire, like HDI, and express your interest in working with them. A well-timed email can sometimes lead to unadvertised roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Utilise our website for applications! We’ve got a streamlined process that makes it easy for you to apply for roles like Development Underwriter. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team. So, don’t hesitate—get your application in!
We think you need these skills to ace Development Underwriter - Property in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Development Underwriter role. Highlight your experience in commercial property underwriting and any successful new business development you've done. We want to see how you can bring value to our Retail Property portfolio!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your skills align with our needs. Don't forget to mention your broker relationship management experience – it's key for us!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive profitable growth. We love numbers, so if you can quantify your successes, do it! It helps us see the impact you've made in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at HDI Global SE
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you brush up on your underwriting principles and be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully evaluated and priced risks in the past. Being able to articulate your thought process will show that you have the technical understanding needed for the role.
✨Build Broker Relationships
Since this role involves a lot of broker engagement, think about how you can demonstrate your relationship-building skills. Prepare anecdotes that highlight your experience in managing broker relationships and how you've turned those into successful business opportunities.
✨Show Your Market Savvy
Stay updated on current market trends and competitor activities. Be prepared to discuss how these insights could influence HDI's pricing and appetite strategies. This shows that you're not just an underwriter but also someone who understands the bigger picture.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaborative Spirit
This position requires working closely with various teams. Think of examples where you've collaborated effectively in the past. Highlight your ability to work in a fast-paced environment and how you contribute to a seamless client experience.