Underwriting & Governance Analyst in Leeds

Overview

Shape the future of underwriting governance at Markel. This role involves leading the newly established Underwriting Enablement Team, combining governance expertise, technical underwriting support, stakeholder management and people leadership.

Responsibilities

Technical Underwriting & Governance

• Maintain underwriting governance standards across the business.
• Review and approve non‑standard endorsements.
• Support underwriting controls, delegated authorities and governance processes.
• Monitor adherence to underwriting guidelines and protocols.
• Support implementation of legal and regulatory changes.
• Analyse underwriting data and governance reporting.
• Act as a key point of contact for governance‑related queries and technical underwriting support.
• Support governance, reinsurance and operational projects that contribute to profitability and regulatory objectives.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach and develop the Underwriting Enablement Team.
• Provide guidance, support and performance management across the team.
• Allocate and prioritise workloads.
• Build processes, structure and operating models within a newly created function.
• Shape the future direction of the team as it grows and evolves.

Business Partnership

• Build strong relationships with Underwriting Product Leaders, Pricing and senior management.
• Drive continuous improvement and process efficiency.
• Support strategic underwriting priorities while ensuring governance excellence.
• Champion knowledge sharing and technical excellence across Markel UK.

Qualifications

• Significant experience within underwriting, technical broking or a governance‑focused insurance role.
• Strong technical underwriting knowledge.
• Experience working with underwriting controls, governance or regulatory requirements.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong analytical and organisational abilities.
• Experience coaching, mentoring or leading others.
• ACII qualification (or progression towards completion) would be advantageous.
• Proactive, improvement‑focused mindset with an interest in using technology and AI to improve processes.
• Product experience within Financial Lines, Liability, Commercial insurance beneficial, but strong technical underwriting capability and leadership potential are primary.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Annual bonus opportunity.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
• Option to buy and sell annual leave.
• Private medical and dental cover.
• Company pension scheme.
• Life assurance.
• Income protection.
• Travel insurance.
• Fully funded CII qualifications.
• Ongoing career development and progression opportunities.
• A flexible, supportive and inclusive working environment.

Why Markel?

• People‑first culture that empowers colleagues to take ownership and challenge the status quo.
• Collaborative and supportive close‑knit team environment.
• Career growth potential in a highly visible leadership role.

Equal Opportunity

Markel celebrates the value of a diverse workforce that brings experience and expertise from a wide variety of backgrounds and life circumstances. 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.