At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Chief Underwriting Officer in strategic decision-making and operational management.
- Company: Join Hiscox, a leading brand in the insurance market known for innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Flexible working culture with a focus on work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-exposure role within a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior leadership environments and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 66150 - 80850 £ per year.
- Job Type: Permanent
- Build a brilliant future with Hiscox
- About Hiscox UK
Hiscox UK is a leading brand in the insurance market, recognised as setting the standards others try to emulate.
We consistently deliver strong growth and exceptional returns, recruiting only the very best and empowering them to deliver.
We are known for insuring the homes of the rich and famous through to the most innovative technology companies.
Our customers are diverse and unique and are only united by our ability to provide specialist insurance tailored to their needs.
The role
The Strategy Manager to the UK Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO) plays a critical role in maximising the effectiveness, impact and strategic focus of the UK underwriting leadership agenda.
Acting as a trusted adviser and operational proxy to the CUO, the role combines strategic problem‑solving, executive briefing and business rhythm management.
The Strategy Manager ensures that priorities are clear, decisions are well‑informed, and the CUO is able to focus time and energy on the most value‑creating activity for Hiscox UK.
This is a high‑exposure role, working closely with the UK Underwriting Leadership Team and their teams as well as key functional leaders across Distribution, Operations, Portfolio Underwriting & Pricing, Claims and Group functions.
- What you’ll be doing
- Strategic enablement & decision support Act as a trusted thought‑partner to the CUO, shaping agenda, priorities and decision flow.
Lead and deliver high‑quality briefing papers, recommendations and executive materials for UKLT, ULT, GEC, Board and other governance forums.
Translate complex underwriting, portfolio and market insights into clear, decision‑ready narratives.
Proactively identify risks, dependencies and opportunities, ensuring the CUO is sighted on emerging issues.
- Underwriting leadership rhythm & governance Own and coordinate the operating rhythm for the UK underwriting function, including leadership meetings, QBRs, portfolio reviews and planning cycles.
Ensure effective tracking of actions, decisions and outcomes across the Underwriting Leadership Team.
Support robust governance across underwriting‑related activity, ensuring alignment to regulatory, risk and control expectations.
Act as a central point of connection between underwriting leadership forums and wider UK governance.
- Portfolio insight & analytical problem‑solving Lead targeted analytical work on behalf of the CUO, drawing on data from Portfolio Underwriting, Pricing, Finance and MI teams.
Provide insight on portfolio performance, emerging trends, trading outcomes and strategic trade‑offs.
Commission, shape and challenge analysis to ensure it is relevant, commercial and decision‑focused.
- Transformation & change support Support the CUO in driving strategic change across the UK underwriting organisation (e. g. new ways of working, role clarity, leadership effectiveness, capability uplift).
Track delivery of key underwriting initiatives, surfacing risks and recommending course‑correction where needed.
Act as a connector across initiatives to avoid duplication and ensure coherent execution.
- Stakeholder management & collaboration Build strong working relationships across UK and Group functions, enabling influence without formal authority.
Represent the CUO in selected forums, meetings or working groups as required.
Act as a calm, credible and commercial interface between underwriting leadership and the wider business.
- Our must haves
- Significant experience operating in or alongside a senior leadership or executive environment, ideally within financial services or insurance
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to understand underwriting, portfolio and risk concepts quickly
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; able to distil complexity into clear, persuasive executive messages
- Proven ability to manage ambiguity, competing priorities and sensitive information with professionalism and judgement
- Advanced stakeholder management skills within a matrix organisation
- Highly analytical, structured thinker with strong problem‑solving capability
- Gravitas and confidence to operate credibly with senior leaders
- Low‑ego, high‑impact approach with a strong sense of ownershi
- Intellectually curious, commercially minded and outcomes‑focused
- Resilient, adaptable and comfortable operating at pace
- Strong judgement and discretion
- Desirable Direct experience within insurance underwriting, pricing, portfolio management or a closely related discipline.
- Exposure to regulatory and conduct considerations within insurance or financial services
- A quantitative or financial background would be beneficial
- Diversity and flexible working at Hiscox
We’ve introduced new hybrid ways of working to encourage a healthy work life balance.
We anticipate the successful candidate for this role will be in the office up to 2-3 days per week.
Our London office will be your hub where team & collaboration time will take place.
We see it as the best of both worlds: structure and sociability on one hand, and independence and flexibility on the other.
We’re a global, specialist insurer headquartered in Bermuda and listed on the London Stock Exchange.
With 3,000 employees and 32 offices in 12 countries we’re a business with lots of opportunity for people with talent, spark and lots of ambition.
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Underwriting Strategy Manager in London employer: Hiscox Underwriting Group Services Ltd (HUGS)
Hiscox is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the heart of London or York. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide ample opportunities for professional development through hands-on experience with cutting-edge AI technologies and a commitment to supporting citizen AI initiatives. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team that values your contributions and empowers you to make a meaningful impact.
Contact Details:
Hiscox Underwriting Group Services Ltd (HUGS) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Underwriting Strategy Manager in London
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We think you need these skills to ace Underwriting Strategy Manager in London
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 Underwriting Group Services Ltd (HUGS).
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don't just send a generic CV! Focus on tailoring it specifically for the insurance role at Hiscox Underwriting Group Services Ltd (HUGS). 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 Underwriting Group Services Ltd (HUGS)
✨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 Underwriting Group Services Ltd (HUGS) to throw some technical questions your way, so be ready to demonstrate your grasp of these essentials.
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✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
As a full-timer at Hiscox Underwriting Group Services Ltd (HUGS), 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 Underwriting Group Services Ltd (HUGS)'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.
