At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of innovative portfolio solutions in construction underwriting.
- Company: Join a leading insurance firm with a focus on collaboration and growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, career development, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a team that values integrity and customer-centric approaches.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the construction industry with data-driven decision-making.
- Qualifications: Experience in underwriting or portfolio management is essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
The Senior Underwriter will help develop the newly formed Portfolio Solutions proposition within the Liberty Construction team, with a focus on Delegated Authority, broker facilities, and other portfolio-based trading structures. This role will drive a portfolio‑led underwriting approach to construction business, using data, pricing insight and performance analytics to inform underwriting decisions and portfolio composition. Assessment of opportunities will be at a portfolio level rather than solely on individual risks, balancing growth, profitability, diversification and volatility management.
The successful candidate will work closely with Distribution, Delegated Authority, Actuarial, Exposure Management, Claims and Operations to build a scalable and well‑controlled portfolio underwriting proposition. They will support the development of underwriting frameworks, performance metrics and governance for facility and delegated portfolios. We anticipate that the successful candidate will come from an existing Delegated Authority team or a treaty underwriting background. Applicants from a portfolio management or actuarial background are also encouraged where there is a desire to transfer into a portfolio underwriting function.
The LSM Construction team are leaders across the sub‑sectors of the Construction market, including EAR, Civils, CAR (buildings) and Annuals. We write Property Damage policies with all the aligned extensions including Delay in Start‑Up, Primary Third‑Party Liability, Existing Property and Contractor’s Plant & Equipment. In the single risk marketplace, we adopt a technical approach to underwriting, supported by a team of in‑house risk engineers. Our appetite is aligned with past performance at an occupancy level and we seek close relationships with key clients based on a mutual understanding of the importance of risk management. This role will augment that capability with a portfolio approach to underwriting, building on our ability to gather and analyse data, which will bring further diversification to the book.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategy and Planning: Support the development of the strategy for Portfolio Solutions, build relationships with key external and internal stakeholders and shape the direction of the book. Contribute and participate in all meetings to share and develop strategy, knowledge and best practice. Contribute new ideas and concepts to support the development and delivery of the business plan.
- Delivery: Develop portfolio‑level underwriting strategies, including appetite, capacity deployment, attachment points, limits, territorial mix and class/occupancy segmentation. Evaluate and underwrite delegated authority, facility and other portfolio opportunities through analysis of historical performance, exposure profiles, pricing adequacy, structure and governance. Use relevant data to monitor portfolio profitability, identify trends and recommend corrective underwriting actions. Partner with actuarial, exposure management and claims teams to assess loss drivers, accumulation risk, catastrophe exposure and portfolio volatility. Design and maintain portfolio underwriting controls, including data standards, referral triggers, KPI thresholds and exception reporting. Support the creation and optimisation of broker facilities and delegated structures that provide efficient access to attractive construction business. Assess delegated partners’ underwriting capability, governance, reporting quality and operational readiness as part of onboarding and ongoing oversight. Drive underwriting decisions through a balance of quantitative analysis, market insight and broker/coverholder engagement. Ensure portfolio business is reviewed regularly against plan, with clear actions around remediation, repricing, restructuring or exit where required.
- Policy, Process and Procedures: Own and monitor key portfolio KPIs including rate adequacy, loss ratio, expense ratio, exposure growth, mix changes, data quality and volatility. Contribute to business planning through portfolio performance forecasting, scenario analysis and stress testing. Identify underperforming segments and recommend actions such as repricing, tighter underwriting parameters, capacity adjustment or portfolio remediation. Support quarterly portfolio reviews and present insights to underwriting leadership and relevant governance forums.
- People Management: Collaborate with the wider Construction team and Integrated Business Unit to ensure business requirements are achieved. Motivate and develop the team by demonstrating good leadership behaviours and management best practice. Manage performance in accordance with the company’s performance process.
Adherence to all relevant regulatory requirements forms part of your role, and the demonstration of behaviours as set out in the Conduct Risk Policy, as they relate to your role, is core to LSM's commitment to our Liberty Values, placing customers at the centre of our business and behaving with integrity. LSM expects you to understand your responsibilities relating to all regulatory and internal requirements, and to proactively demonstrate compliance with these requirements and behaviours at all times. These requirements include the Senior Managers and Certification Regime Conduct Rules, Solvency II, fair treatment of customers, Financial Crime, Data Protection, Conflicts of Interest, and Whistleblowing.
Skills and Experience:
- Comfortable operating in a role combining underwriting judgement, commercial relationship management and data‑led decision‑making.
- Experience underwriting or managing delegated authority, facilities, treaty or other portfolio‑based insurance business.
- Ability to analyse portfolio performance using bordereaux, exposure, pricing and claims data.
- Experience assessing portfolio structures, underwriting controls, data quality and partner governance.
- Understanding of portfolio composition principles, including diversification, aggregation, volatility and capital efficiency.
- Ability to translate analytical insight into practical underwriting actions and portfolio strategy.
- Experience working with actuarial, claims, exposure management and delegated authority teams.
- Understanding of the features of a construction risk portfolio (build‑up of values, development tail, nat cat vulnerability etc).
Construction Portfolio Solutions Lead in London employer: Liberty Specialty Markets
As a leading employer in the construction underwriting sector, our London-based team fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. We offer competitive benefits, including opportunities for professional advancement and a supportive environment where your contributions directly impact our portfolio strategies. Join us to be part of a dynamic team that values integrity and excellence in delivering tailored solutions to our clients.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Construction Portfolio Solutions Lead in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the construction and underwriting sectors. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its portfolio solutions. Understand their approach to underwriting and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. Practise common interview questions and think of examples that showcase your skills in data analysis and portfolio management.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. Mention something specific from your conversation to show you were engaged and are genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it’s super easy to keep track of your applications that way!
We think you need these skills to ace Construction Portfolio Solutions Lead in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Construction Portfolio Solutions Lead role. Highlight relevant experience in underwriting, portfolio management, and any data analysis skills that align with what we're looking for.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past achievements in underwriting or portfolio management, and how they relate to our needs at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role involves a lot of data-driven decision-making, make sure to showcase your analytical skills. Mention any tools or methodologies you’ve used to assess portfolio performance and how you've applied insights to improve outcomes.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Liberty Specialty Markets
✨Know Your Portfolio Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into understanding portfolio management principles, especially in the context of construction risks. Be ready to discuss how you would approach underwriting decisions based on data and performance analytics.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
This role involves working closely with various teams like Actuarial and Claims. Prepare examples that highlight your experience in cross-functional collaboration and how you've successfully built relationships with stakeholders in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Prowess
Be prepared to discuss specific instances where you've used data to inform underwriting decisions. Bring examples of how you've assessed portfolio performance and made recommendations based on your findings.
✨Stay Updated on Industry Trends
Familiarise yourself with current trends in the construction insurance market. Being able to discuss recent developments or challenges in the industry will show your passion and commitment to the field, making you a more attractive candidate.