At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage a diverse construction renewals portfolio and build strong broker relationships.
- Company: Join Markel, a Fortune 500 company with a people-first culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous bonus, hybrid working, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with clear opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Take ownership of a high-quality portfolio and make a real impact from day one.
- Qualifications: Strong construction underwriting experience and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham or London (Hybrid - 3 days office)
Build something meaningful. Renew with purpose! At Markel, underwriting is more than a process, it's about relationships, judgement, and making a real difference. We're looking for an Underwriter - Construction Renewals and as part of our well-respected Construction team, you'll take ownership of a diverse and established renewals portfolio, working at the heart of a business that puts people first and empowers underwriters to think differently.
This is a pivotal hire into a highly experienced, close-knit team, where your voice will be heard, your expertise trusted, and your impact immediate.
Why this role stands out:- Take on a ready-made, high-quality renewals portfolio with real ownership from day one
- Join a stable, technically strong team with an excellent market reputation
- Play a key role in maintaining strong broker relationships and high retention levels (87-89%)
- Opportunity to shape how the team evolves, bringing fresh ideas and energy
- Work in a people-first, collaborative culture within a Fortune 500 organisation
You'll manage a varied construction renewals portfolio, delivering strong underwriting outcomes while building lasting broker relationships:
- Underwriting renewals and mid-term adjustments within authority
- Managing and retaining a portfolio of construction risks (typically £2.5k-£100k premium range)
- Building strong broker partnerships and delivering outstanding service
- Identifying opportunities to cross-sell and broaden coverage
- Collaborating with technical teams, new business underwriters, and wider stakeholders
- Providing market insight and contributing to underwriting strategy discussions
You'll work across a broad mix of risks including general construction, electrical, HVAC, and building services, with multi-line exposure across liability, PI, and property sections.
What we're looking for:We're seeking an experienced underwriter who can hit the ground running and bring a proactive, commercial mindset:
- Strong construction underwriting experience, particularly within renewals
- Ability to manage a portfolio autonomously and make sound underwriting decisions
- Confidence in handling broker relationships and phone-based discussions
- Technical knowledge across liability, PI, and combined construction packages
- A detail-oriented, disciplined approach with strong communication skills
- Experience handling complex or combined construction risks
- A passion for building relationships and influencing outcomes
- Fresh perspective, energy, and a desire to make an impact
- Competitive salary + generous annual bonus
- Hybrid working (3 days in office)
- Private medical, dental, pension, life assurance & income protection
- 25 days holiday + buy/sell options
- A genuinely collaborative, down-to-earth culture
- Clear opportunity to step into a highly visible, impactful role
We're a global business with a distinctly human approach. Our underwriters are trusted to make decisions, challenge thinking, and build meaningful partnerships.
Our values guide everything we do:
- We're all about people
- We win together
- We strive for better
- We enjoy the everyday
- We think further
If you're a construction underwriter looking for ownership, visibility, and the chance to shape outcomes in a high-performing renewals team, we'd love to hear from you.
Markel celebrates the value of a diverse workforce that brings experience and expertise from a wide variety of backgrounds and life circumstances. Whatever your background, if you feel you meet the requirements of this role then we want to hear from you. We are also happy to consider candidates who are looking for flexible working patterns.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with all reasonable accommodations to be able to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions if successful. Please contact us via email at rec@markel.com or call us at 0161 507 5827 to request any accommodations that may be needed. This includes any alternative formats of any documents or information on how to apply offline.
Construction Renewals Underwriter — Hybrid UK employer: Markel Corporation
At Markel, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a collaborative and people-first culture that empowers our underwriters to make impactful decisions. With a competitive salary, generous benefits including private medical and dental care, and the flexibility of hybrid working, we provide our employees with the tools they need for personal and professional growth. Join our well-respected Construction team in vibrant locations like London, Manchester, Leeds, or Birmingham, where your expertise will be valued and your contributions will help shape the future of our renewals portfolio.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Construction Renewals Underwriter — Hybrid UK
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the construction and underwriting sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Markel and understand their values and culture. Think about how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in managing renewals and building broker relationships. Practice common interview questions to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring examples of your past successes in underwriting and managing portfolios to the table. Highlight your ability to make sound decisions and build strong partnerships. This will help you stand out as a candidate who can hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Markel. Let’s build something special together!
We think you need these skills to ace Construction Renewals Underwriter — Hybrid UK
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Underwriter - Construction Renewals. Highlight your relevant experience in construction underwriting and any specific achievements that showcase your skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our team. Don’t forget to mention your experience with broker relationships!
Showcase Your Technical Knowledge:Since this role involves managing a diverse portfolio, be sure to demonstrate your technical knowledge across liability, PI, and property sections. This will show us you’re ready to hit the ground running!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you on our radar quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Markel Corporation
✨Know Your Portfolio Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the types of construction risks you'll be managing. Familiarise yourself with the premium ranges and the specifics of underwriting renewals. This will show your potential employer that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Build on Broker Relationships
Since this role involves maintaining strong broker relationships, think about how you can demonstrate your experience in this area. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed broker partnerships in the past and be ready to discuss your approach to building trust and rapport.
✨Showcase Your Technical Knowledge
Brush up on your technical knowledge across liability, PI, and combined construction packages. Be prepared to discuss how this knowledge has helped you make sound underwriting decisions in previous roles. This will highlight your expertise and confidence in handling complex risks.
✨Bring Fresh Ideas to the Table
The company is looking for someone who can bring energy and fresh perspectives. Think about innovative ideas or strategies you've implemented in past roles that could benefit the team. Sharing these during the interview will demonstrate your proactive mindset and desire to make an impact.
