At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the assessment and pricing of complex risks in a dynamic international market.
- Company: Join Hiscox, a leading insurer with a commitment to innovation and risk management.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values collaboration and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping insurance solutions for global risks.
- Qualifications: Proven underwriting experience and strong technical judgement in Political Violence.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Build a brilliant future with Hiscox.
About Us
Hiscox London Market is one of the oldest and most successful Lloyd's syndicates. Our leadership and underwriting expertise make us the leading insurer of global risks. We offer a range of products and services, including property, marine, energy, specialty, casualty, and crisis management. We are committed to embracing risk in an evolving world, designing insurance solutions to meet our clients' ever-changing needs. The Hiscox cyber team is made up of four underwriters working hand in hand with a well-integrated support team of pricing actuaries, claims, and wording resources. Hiscox also benefits from central training and expertise at a group level as well as exposure management support.
The Team
Our War, Terrorism and Political Violence team forms part of Hiscox London Market’s Crisis Management business. The team provides specialist insurance solutions for clients facing complex and evolving global risks, including war, terrorism, sabotage and political violence. Operating in a dynamic international market, the team combines specialist underwriting expertise with strong broker relationships and a disciplined approach to risk selection and portfolio management.
The Role
As a Senior Underwriter within London Markets, you will be instrumental in driving profitable growth by assessing and underwriting highly complex and specialist risks across the Lloyd’s and international marketplace. This role demands deep market insight to balance bespoke underwriting with critical global broker relationships, ensuring our portfolio remains robust and innovative. You will act as an expert contributor, managing junior underwriters and guiding colleagues in resolving complex issues, thereby enhancing team capability and ensuring underwriting practices align with Hiscox's strategic goals. Operating with high autonomy within established policies, you will address broad, multi-dimensional problems with significant operational impact, contributing tactical and strategic recommendations that shape the functional strategy for London Markets Underwriting.
Role Focus & Decision Making
- Lead the assessment, pricing, and negotiation of terms for highly complex and specialist risks within the London Markets portfolio.
- Drive profitable growth through astute risk selection, disciplined portfolio management, and the development of innovative product solutions.
- Act as a key decision-maker, applying expert judgment to balance commercial opportunity with Hiscox's risk appetite and governance standards.
- Contribute significantly to the development and execution of functional strategy for London Markets Underwriting.
- Manage and guide junior underwriters, fostering their development and ensuring adherence to best practices and Hiscox standards.
- Proactively engage with global brokers and key clients to cultivate strong relationships and identify new business opportunities.
- Develop and implement tactical recommendations that enhance underwriting efficiency, quality, and market responsiveness.
Role Scope
- Operate as a senior specialist, providing expert underwriting guidance and leadership within the London Markets team.
- Accountable for the performance and results of a complex book of business, influencing underwriting strategy and outcomes.
- Lead specific workstreams, projects, or initiatives, ensuring high-quality delivery and effective local decision-making.
- Act as a key contributor to the overall capability and development of the underwriting team through mentorship and knowledge sharing.
- Influence and guide internal and external stakeholders on complex underwriting matters, representing Hiscox's expertise.
Reporting relationships / leadership
- Reports to the War Terrorism and Political Violence Line Underwriter.
- Regularly influences and collaborates with a wide range of internal stakeholders, including claims, actuarial, finance, and operations teams.
- Builds and maintains strong relationships with key global brokers and clients, acting as a senior point of contact.
- Mentors and provides technical guidance to junior underwriters and colleagues, enhancing team expertise and performance.
- May lead project teams or specialist workgroups, driving specific initiatives to successful completion.
Complexity & Problem Solving
- Addresse broad, multi-dimensional underwriting problems with significant operational and financial impact, requiring sophisticated analytical and strategic thinking.
- Exercises high autonomy and expert judgment when evaluating unique, complex risks, often without clear precedents.
- Navigates intricate market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and competitive pressures to formulate optimal underwriting solutions.
- Guides colleagues in resolving highly specialised and challenging underwriting issues, acting as a technical authority.
- Balances competing priorities of risk, quality, commercial pace, and stakeholder expectations in a dynamic London Market environment.
- Proactively identifies, assesses, and resolves complex issues, escalating only when necessary due to strategic impact or governance requirements.
Candidate Profile
- Strong proven underwriting experience within the Lloyd’s/London Political Violence market, with substantial insurance experience and a strong technical grounding in Political Violence.
- Strong understanding of the Political Violence market and wider geopolitical environment, with the ability to anticipate market developments and identify new opportunities.
- Proven experience operating with significant underwriting authority, demonstrating strong technical judgement across risk selection, rating, coverage and portfolio management.
- Experience of developing, motivating and managing junior underwriters within a high-performing underwriting team.
- A strong market profile with established broker relationships and a track record of trading effectively, developing opportunities and delivering profitable business growth.
- Demonstrable expertise in risk selection within a specialist insurance class.
- Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to balance growth, profitability and risk management objectives.
- Digital agility and drive, embracing augmented underwriting, data analytics and emerging technologies to improve underwriting performance and efficiency.
- Experience influencing internal and external senior stakeholders and driving strategic outcomes across a complex organisation.
- Strong analytical capabilities, sound judgement and the ability to make high-quality decisions in a dynamic environment.
- Adaptable and forward-thinking, with a willingness to challenge conventional approaches and identify new opportunities.
- A team player who fosters collaboration, innovation and an inclusive culture.
Diversity and flexible working at Hiscox:
At Hiscox we care about our people. We hire the best people for the job and we’re committed to diversity and creating a truly inclusive culture, which we believe drives success. We also understand that working life doesn’t always have to be ‘nine to five’ and we support flexible working wherever we can. No promises, but please chat to our resourcing team about the flexibility we could offer for this role.
Work with amazing people and be part of a unique culture.
Location: London
Type: Full time
Senior Underwriter - War, Terrorism and Political Violence employer: Hiscox AG
Hiscox is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its employees, offering a dynamic work culture that embraces diversity and inclusivity. As a Workforce Change Manager, you will enjoy the benefits of hybrid working, allowing for a balanced professional and personal life while contributing to meaningful people change initiatives. With opportunities for professional growth and collaboration with talented colleagues across global locations like London, Lisbon, and York, Hiscox stands out as a place where your expertise can truly make an impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Underwriter - War, Terrorism and Political Violence
✨Dive Into Industry Networking Events
Get your foot in the door by attending insurance industry events and conferences. Not only will you learn about the latest trends, but you'll also meet potential employers and industry peers. Check out local chapters of professional bodies like the Chartered Insurance Institute for valuable meetups.
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✨Look Out for Graduate Schemes
Many firms in insurance have structured graduate programmes. Keep an eye on application windows and utilise your university's career services for insider tips. These schemes are designed to develop talent and often lead to permanent roles after your initial training.
✨Leverage Your Current Connections
Got friends or family in the industry? Now’s the time to reach out! Personal referrals can give you a head start, so let them know you're on the lookout for full-time opportunities at places like Hiscox AG. Don’t shy away from asking for a coffee chat; you never know what doors it might open!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Underwriter - War, Terrorism and Political Violence
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In insurance, we love a candidate who can crunch numbers and analyse data effectively. When crafting your CV, make sure to showcase any relevant coursework or experiences that highlight your analytical abilities, especially if you’ve tackled risk assessment or financial modelling.
Showcase Industry Knowledge:Don’t be shy about your knowledge of the insurance sector! We want to see that you've done your homework on current trends, regulations, and challenges in the industry. Mention any relevant projects or studies you’ve completed that demonstrate your understanding of the field in your cover letter.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you’re passionate about insurance. Share any personal experiences or what drew you into this profession. We’re looking for enthusiasm and a clear motivation for why you want to be part of our team at Hiscox AG.
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don't just send a generic CV! Focus on tailoring it specifically for the insurance role at Hiscox AG. Highlight relevant skills such as risk management, customer service experience, or any certifications you've earned in the industry to make your application stand out.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hiscox AG
✨Know Your Numbers: Insurance Fundamentals
Brush up on your understanding of key insurance concepts, like underwriting principles and risk assessment. Expect the interviewer at Hiscox AG to throw some technical questions your way, so be ready to demonstrate your grasp of these essentials.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Side
In the insurance world, it's all about data. Prepare to discuss any analytical tools or methodologies you've used in past experiences. If you have a portfolio of projects where you've tackled complex data, bring that along to impress the team!
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
As a full-timer at Hiscox AG, they'll want to know how you handle real-life scenarios, not just theory. Think about challenges you've faced in teamwork or customer service, and how those experiences can relate to a career in insurance.
✨Know the Company Culture Inside Out
Understanding Hiscox AG's values and workplace culture is essential. Don’t just memorise their mission statement; think about how your personal values align with theirs. This will show your genuine interest in being part of their team long-term.
