Underwriter - UK Property D&F

Underwriter - UK Property D&F

City of London - Hybrid

London Market Insurer

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute the underwriting strategy for the Property portfolio, supporting sustainable and profitable growth in line with business objectives and underwriting appetite.
• Underwrite new and renewal business within delegated authority, applying strong technical judgement, commercial awareness and a disciplined approach to risk selection.
• Evaluate complex commercial risks by reviewing applications, financial information and supporting documentation to determine risk acceptability in accordance with company guidelines and underwriting standards.
• Determine appropriate pricing, terms, conditions and coverage enhancements through detailed technical analysis, market insight and consideration of the wider trading environment.
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with key brokers, positioning yourself as a trusted underwriting partner and identifying opportunities for profitable growth.
• Proactively identify and develop new business opportunities while strengthening and expanding existing broker relationships across the market.
• Work collaboratively with the Senior Underwriting Leadership Team to deliver the underwriting strategy and achieve portfolio performance objectives.
• Prepare accurate and commercially appropriate quotations and respond effectively to technical underwriting enquiries from brokers, internal stakeholders and business partners, escalating matters where required.
• Clearly communicate underwriting decisions, including referrals, underwriting requirements, rate negotiations and declinatures, ensuring brokers understand the rationale behind decisions.
• Monitor and analyse portfolio performance, including business quality, rate adequacy, exposure and profitability, providing actionable insight and recommendations to support portfolio optimisation.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of underwriting appetite, products and trading strategies through technical expertise, market knowledge and emerging risk insight.
• Represent the company across the broker market through regular broker meetings, market visits and industry networking events, promoting the company's proposition, expertise and values.
• Maintain a strong understanding of market trends, competitor activity, regulatory developments and emerging risks, assessing their potential impact on the portfolio.
• Ensure all underwriting activity is conducted in accordance with regulatory and legal requirements, Group policies, governance standards and underwriting controls.
• Collaborate with senior colleagues on complex risks that exceed delegated authority or require specialist technical expertise.
• Develop and maintain a high level of proficiency across relevant company systems and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
• Undertake any additional responsibilities reasonably required to support the wider business and underwriting function.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Ideally, 6+ years of commercial underwriting experience within the UK and/or London Market.
• Broad market experience across Large Commercial Property, Real Estate Property Owners and P&C Mid-Market segments would be highly advantageous.
• Strong technical underwriting expertise, with the ability to assess, structure and negotiate complex commercial risks.
• Demonstrable experience in managing, developing and growing a profitable portfolio of business.
• Established broker relationships, with a proven ability to build trust, influence trading decisions and develop long-term commercial partnerships.
• Strong commercial awareness and comprehensive knowledge of the UK insurance market and its key dynamics.
• Proven experience contributing to and delivering underwriting strategy and supporting portfolio development.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing and relationship management skills, with the confidence to engage effectively with brokers and senior stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to assess complex information and make sound underwriting judgements.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, supported by a disciplined and consistent approach to underwriting profitability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate technical and commercial decisions clearly and effectively.
• Ability to work autonomously while contributing effectively within a collaborative and high-performing underwriting environment.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing demands effectively.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant underwriting platforms and systems.
• ACII qualified, or actively working towards the qualification, with a clear commitment to continuous professional development and ongoing technical learning.