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: Join a collaborative environment with clear opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Take ownership of your portfolio and make a real impact in a supportive 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
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
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.
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 - Own Your Portfolio employer: Markel
At Markel, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a collaborative and people-first culture that empowers our underwriters to take ownership of their portfolios from day one. With competitive salaries, generous bonuses, and a strong focus on employee growth, our Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, or London locations provide a dynamic environment where your expertise is valued and your impact is immediate. Join us to build meaningful relationships and shape the future of construction underwriting in a Fortune 500 organisation that truly cares about its people.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Construction Renewals Underwriter - Own Your Portfolio
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the construction and underwriting sectors. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there. Remember, it’s all about building those relationships!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Prepare to discuss your past experiences with renewals and how you’ve successfully managed portfolios. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your skills in handling broker relationships and making sound underwriting decisions.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your responses. Focus on articulating your proactive mindset and how you can bring fresh ideas to the team. Confidence is key!
✨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 people-first culture at Markel. Let’s build something special together!
We think you need these skills to ace Construction Renewals Underwriter - Own Your Portfolio
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Construction:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the construction industry shine through. We want to see how your experience aligns with our focus on building strong broker relationships and delivering outstanding service.
Highlight Your Underwriting Experience:Make sure to detail your underwriting experience, especially in renewals. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so showcase any relevant achievements or challenges you've tackled in your previous roles.
Be Personable and Professional:Since this role involves a lot of communication with brokers, it’s important to convey your strong communication skills in your application. We appreciate a friendly tone that reflects your ability to build relationships while maintaining professionalism.
Tailor Your Application to Us:Don’t forget to tailor your application specifically to Markel and this role. We love fresh ideas and energy, so share how you can contribute to our collaborative culture and help shape the team’s future. Apply through our website to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Markel
✨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 help you demonstrate your expertise and confidence in handling the portfolio.
✨Build Rapport with Brokers
Since maintaining strong broker relationships is key, think about how you can showcase your relationship-building skills. Prepare examples of past experiences where you've successfully managed broker interactions or resolved issues, as this will highlight your ability to foster partnerships.
✨Showcase Your Technical Knowledge
Brush up on your technical knowledge across liability, PI, and combined construction packages. Be ready to discuss how you would approach underwriting decisions and what factors you consider when assessing risks. This will show that you’re not just experienced but also detail-oriented.
✨Bring Fresh Ideas to the Table
Markel values fresh perspectives, so think about innovative ideas you could bring to the team. Whether it’s a new approach to cross-selling or strategies for improving retention rates, being able to articulate your vision will set you apart as a proactive candidate.
