Senior Life Science Underwiter in Manchester

The Opportunity

We're working with a fast-growing Managing General Agent (MGA) to recruit a Senior Life Science Underwriter to act as right hand to the Underwriting Director, playing a pivotal role in driving growth across the region. This is a rare opportunity for an experienced underwriter who wants the autonomy and entrepreneurial pace of an MGA, combined with genuine commercial impact – someone who is as comfortable in front of a broker pitching new business as they are pricing a complex risk within delegated authority. This isn't a back-office technical role. You'll be out in the market, building relationships, winning business, and acting as a trusted second-in-command to the Director – with a clear path to step up further as the team, binder, and portfolio grow. It's an ideal move for someone who wants to help build something, with real input into proposition, appetite, and strategy rather than just executing on someone else’s book.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading on new business development and broker distribution across the region, building and maintaining strong relationships with key broker partners
• Acting as deputy to the Underwriting Director, supporting strategic decisions and stepping in on their behalf where needed
• Underwriting a portfolio of Life Science risks (e.g. medical devices, pharmaceuticals, biotech, healthcare products/services – adjust to your book) within delegated underwriting authority, applying strong technical judgement to pricing, terms, and risk selection
• Identifying and pursuing new business opportunities, proactively growing the regional footprint and binder income
• Representing the business at broker meetings, industry events, and networking opportunities to raise market profile
• Collaborating closely with underwriting, claims, and distribution colleagues to ensure a joined-up approach to growth
• Supporting the Director on portfolio strategy, performance, and capacity/carrier relationships, including input into MI and bordereaux reporting
• Helping to shape appetite, pricing, and proposition as the MGA continues to grow

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience as a Life Science / Life Sciences Underwriter, ideally at Senior level
• MGA, Lloyd’s, or delegated authority experience is highly desirable, though strong candidates from insurer backgrounds with the right entrepreneurial mindset will also be considered
• A strong track record in distribution, broker relationship management, and new business production
• Solid technical underwriting skills – confident pricing and structuring complex risks, not just relationship-led
• Comfortable operating with autonomy and taking on responsibility beyond the day-to-day underwriting remit, in a leaner, faster-paced MGA environment
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the credibility to represent the business externally
• Ambition to grow into a more senior leadership role over time
• Based in or around Manchester, with flexibility to travel across the region as needed

What’s on Offer

• £70,000 - £90,000 base salary (dependent on experience)
• Performance-related bonus
• Comprehensive benefits package
• A genuine number 2 position with visibility, autonomy, and influence over regional strategy
• The chance to help shape and build a growing MGA proposition, not just administer an existing book
• Clear progression opportunities within a growing team

For more information contact Ian at IDEX.

Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Mission

At IDEX, we strive for an inclusion-first company culture where everyone is treated fairly and can bring their authentic selves to work. We recognise and acknowledge that diverse representation at every level of our business requires continuous and measurable effort. We are committed to driving conscious inclusion across our business and creating equitable pathways.