At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead portfolio management and drive pricing strategies in the London Market.
- Company: Dynamic insurance firm focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, strong benefits, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on underwriting strategy with advanced analytics and data-driven insights.
- Qualifications: Experience in London Market, strong analytical skills, and proficiency in data tools.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70089 £ per year.
This role is responsible for embedding portfolio management as a core discipline across the London Market business by leading the portfolio management business partnering team. Responsibilities include integrating segmentation into underwriting, discovering new methods and data for performance analysis and leading on pricing model algorithm development and calibration for all pricing models, with the goal of driving underwriting strategy and decision making. You’ll collaborate closely with the rest of the International Portfolio Analytics team, who leverage cutting‑edge advanced analytics, data management, business intelligence, and technical pricing implementation to deliver market‑leading programmes and technologies.
What you’ll be doing:
- Lead portfolio performance insights
- Help to drive the pricing and portfolio management agenda for the London division, ensuring alignment with underwriting strategy and broader business objectives.
- Provide actionable, data-led insights to support underwriting decisions and improve portfolio profitability.
- Partner closely with underwriting leadership
- Act as a trusted advisor to Managing Directors and Underwriters, supporting them in actively handling their portfolios.
- Challenge and improve underwriting strategy through robust analysis, recommendations, and performance monitoring.
- Own and evolve pricing capability
- Contribute to the calibration, development, and continuous refinement of pricing models across relevant classes.
- Ensure models are technically robust, commercially relevant, and aligned with portfolio performance and risk appetite.
- Monitor and improve performance
- Track key performance drivers at a granular (class/segment) level across the International portfolio, including both open market and delegated business.
- Identify trends, risks, and opportunities, and drive targeted actions to improve performance.
- Deliver business planning and performance governance
- Support the analytical direction of Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs), ensuring clear linkage between plans, performance, and actions.
- Support and develop the quarterly business planning process, with ongoing monitoring against plan.
- Develop insight-led tools and analytics
- Build and deliver advanced analytics, pricing tools, and dashboards to enable more effective underwriting decisions.
- Champion the use of data, analytics, and automation across the underwriting and portfolio management processes.
- Collaborate across functions
- Work closely with actuarial, underwriting, claims, data/IT, and delegated teams to deliver coordinated solutions and address business challenges.
Key Skills:
- Strong London Market experience
- Deep understanding of the London Market, with experience across specialty lines and a clear grasp of underwriting dynamics, portfolio performance drivers, and market practices.
- Advanced pricing and actuarial expertise
- Strong technical grounding in pricing, with hands-on experience developing, calibrating, and refining rating models.
- Able to apply actuarial judgement to translate model outputs into clear, commercially relevant recommendations.
- Technical and data capability
- Advanced Excel skills, with the ability to manipulate and analyse large, sophisticated datasets.
- Proficiency in SQL for data extraction and analysis, with Python experience for modelling, analytics, and automation helpful.
- Stakeholder engagement and influence
- Proven track record to work closely with underwriters and senior stakeholders, providing insight, challenge, and support to drive better portfolio and pricing decisions.
- Strong communication skills
- Able to clearly articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences, including senior leadership, and present insight in a concise and impactful way.
- Commercial mindset
- Strong commercial attitude, with the ability to balance technical rigour and analytical depth with practical, commercially relevant outcomes, underpinned by a deep understanding of insurance and underwriting dynamics.
- Delivery and ownership
- Track record of delivering high-quality analytical work and projects to tight timelines, with the ability to prioritise effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Data visualisation and analytics tooling
- Experience using visualisation tools (e.g. Power BI or similar) to present insights effectively.
- Exposure to advanced analytics or data science techniques is an advantage.
What’s in it for you:
A great starting salary plus annual bonus & strong benefits package… Up to 16% company pension scheme, private medical and dental cover, menopause plan, emergency care benefit (children/Pets/dependants), income protection, life assurance, electric car scheme, travel insurance, 25 days paid holiday plus.
Senior Portfolio Manager in London employer: Markel Corporation
Markel Corporation is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With a competitive salary, annual bonuses, and comprehensive benefits, employees are supported in their professional journey while working in a collaborative environment that values innovation and teamwork.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Portfolio Manager in London
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Markel Corporation. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Portfolio Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Markel Corporation.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Markel Corporation's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Markel Corporation
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Markel Corporation.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Markel Corporation will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Markel Corporation employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
