At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage a diverse construction renewals portfolio and build strong broker relationships.
- Company: Markel, a Fortune 500 company with a people-first culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous bonus, hybrid working, and extensive health benefits.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and diverse environment.
- Why this job: Take ownership of a high-quality portfolio and make a real impact in a collaborative team.
- 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
What you’ll be doing:
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
You’ll stand out if you bring:
- 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
What you’ll get in return:
- 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
Why Markel?
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
Ready to make your mark? 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. Apply now and help us build something special at Markel.
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.
Underwriter - Construction Renewals in Manchester 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 a clear path for career growth, our Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, or London locations provide a vibrant environment for professional development. Join us to take ownership of a diverse renewals portfolio while building meaningful relationships in a stable and respected team.
