Senior Commercial Underwriter — Portfolio Strategy

ERS Syndicate 218 at Lloyds is managed by Starr. We are the UK’s largest specialist motor insurer with an A+ rating and have been making motoring passions and livelihoods possible since 1946. We work exclusively with motor insurance brokers to help get under the skin of the most difficult insurance risks, helping build products to meet their customer’s needs.

Starr is a global insurance and investment organisation providing property and casualty insurance solutions to business and industry. Starr has grown into one of the world’s fastest‑expanding insurance organisations, writing business in 128 countries across six continents. Our talented and experienced associates manage risk and ultimately support the profitable growth of organisations in a dynamic, competitive and ever-changing marketplace.

ERS is a leading underwriter of a wide range of specialist motor insurance products. Within ERS’ strategy of being the UK’s leading specialist motor insurer, our focus is on delivering sustainable, high margin growth through the provision of quality propositions to a wide range of broker partners.

The Senior Underwriter’s primary responsibilities are for the execution of our underwriting strategy and development of our underwriting appetite, working closely with the Commercial Lines Class Head and Product Manager(s).

• Support the Commercial Lines Class Head and Product Manager(s).
• Work with key stakeholders to shape and grow the portfolio ensuring our strategy supports delivery of the financial plan.
• Define, measure and track portfolio and pricing metrics to evaluate product performance and support the Class Product Manager(s) to implement strategies that improve profitability and support business objectives.
• Integrate external market intelligence into product strategy ensuring our offering remains competitive, commercially viable and aligned with business objectives.
• Identify trends and evaluate conclusions using up to date data analytical methods and technology.
• Lead the development of the underwriting strategy for our product(s) based on your market knowledge and product expertise.
• Contribute to the management of portfolio performance through the analysis of results, execution of our selection and pricing strategies and providing recommendations that will drive continuous performance improvement.
• Work alongside the Product Performance Analysts within the team, providing them with direction and support.
• Provide input to constantly refine our underwriting appetite to ensure that we take advantage of market opportunities.
• Act as a point of technical referral from other members of the underwriting team, brokers, and other internal functions.
• Provide feedback to Product Managers & Heads of Class and to members of our Pricing team relating to the effectiveness of our risk pricing models.
• Contribute to our “first line of defence” activities, using audit and peer-review tools.

The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list and you may be required to undertake any other reasonable duties compatible with your experience and competencies.

• Demonstrate leadership and management capabilities.
• Collaborate with a talented team towards the achievement of challenging financial targets.
• Possess extensive technical knowledge of the product(s).
• Have an analytical mindset with comprehensive skills using Microsoft Excel.
• Demonstrate gravitas and clarity of purpose.
• Produce coherent and comprehensive Microsoft PowerPoint presentations.
• Extensive commercial awareness.
• Detailed understanding of pricing practices and methodologies.
• Interpersonal skills to build and maintain value-adding relationships.
• Extensive knowledge of and experience in a sophisticated underwriting control environment.

• Analysis and decision making.
• Innovation and problem solving.
• Strategic perspective.
• Commerciality.
• Performance focus.
• Communication and influence.
• Development of self and others.

Starr is an equal opportunity employer, which means we will consider all suitably qualified applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or beliefs, age, sexual orientation, disability status or any other protected characteristic. We recruit and develop our people based on merit and we’re committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We offer first class training and development opportunities to all employees. Our aim is to grow our own talent and bring out the best in people.