At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage renewals and build broker relationships in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join Markel, a people-first Fortune 500 company with a global presence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, private medical, and ongoing training.
- Other info: Flexible working options and genuine long-term career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Develop your underwriting career while making a real impact in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Insurance experience, strong communication skills, and a proactive attitude.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Build broker relationships. Deliver smart underwriting. Grow your career at Markel.
We’re looking for an Assistant Underwriter to join our Renewal Connect team in Leeds, supporting a dynamic portfolio of Professional, Management Risk and Charity policies. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with insurance experience who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys building relationships, and wants to develop their underwriting career within a supportive, collaborative team.
At Markel, underwriting is about more than numbers, it’s about people, trust, and doing the right thing.
The opportunity:
As an Assistant Underwriter, you’ll play a key role in managing renewals and mid-term adjustments across a high-volume, specialist portfolio. You’ll work closely with brokers and colleagues across the business to deliver a responsive, high-quality underwriting service, while supporting retention, identifying opportunities, and contributing to the wider team’s success. You’ll be someone who takes ownership, builds credibility with brokers, and brings a proactive, solutions-focused mindset.
What you’ll be doing:
- Underwriting renewals and mid-term adjustments within your authority and company guidelines
- Delivering a responsive, professional service via Acturis, email, and phone
- Prioritising renewal activity to meet deadlines and maximise retention
- Proactively following up with brokers to secure and grow business
- Identifying upsell and cross-sell opportunities within the renewal book
- Monitoring broker activity and sharing insights with your Team Leader
- Handling incoming calls promptly and professionally
- Building strong relationships with brokers and internal teams, particularly Technical colleagues in Leeds
- Contributing to team initiatives, projects, and continuous improvement
What we’re looking for:
- Previous insurance experience, with sound underwriting or technical knowledge
- Strong communication skills and confidence in dealing with brokers
- Excellent attention to detail and numerical accuracy
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
- Good IT skills (MS Office essential; Acturis helpful but not required)
- Studying towards or willing to study for CII qualifications
- A proactive, positive attitude with a focus on service and relationship building
Why join Markel?
At Markel, we believe what we do matters. Insurance is more than a policy, it’s a promise to help people move forward with confidence. We’re proud of our people-first culture, where relationships, integrity, and collaboration sit at the heart of everything we do. We’re a Fortune 500 company with a global presence, but we’ve never lost our personal touch.
What’s in it for you:
- Competitive salary with a generous annual bonus
- 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays (with buy/sell options)
- Pension, private medical, dental cover, life assurance, and income protection
- Ongoing training and full support for CII qualifications
- Genuine long-term career development opportunities
- A collaborative, inclusive culture where your contribution is valued
Our values:
- We’re all about people – building relationships and doing what’s right
- We win together – collaborating and supporting each other
- We strive for better – always improving and evolving
- We enjoy the everyday – bringing energy and positivity to our work
- We think further – making decisions that create lasting impact
Ready to take the next step? Apply now or get in touch with our Talent Acquisition team for a confidential conversation.
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.
Assistant Underwriter (Renewal Connect Team) in Leeds employer: Markel
Markel is an exceptional employer that prioritises a people-first culture, fostering strong relationships and collaboration within a dynamic team environment in Leeds. With competitive salaries, generous benefits, and a commitment to ongoing training and career development, employees are empowered to thrive and grow their underwriting careers while making a meaningful impact in the insurance industry. Join us to be part of a supportive workplace where your contributions are valued and diversity is celebrated.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Underwriter (Renewal Connect Team) in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Markel's values, culture, and recent news. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your previous insurance experience aligns with the Assistant Underwriter role. Highlight your relationship-building skills and proactive mindset to impress during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After interviews or networking chats, send a quick thank-you email. It shows your appreciation and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make decisions.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Underwriter (Renewal Connect Team) in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Insurance Experience:Make sure to highlight any previous insurance experience you have in your application. We want to see how your background aligns with the role of Assistant Underwriter, especially if you've dealt with renewals or broker relationships before.
Be Personable and Professional:Since this role is all about building relationships, let your personality shine through in your written application. Use a friendly tone while maintaining professionalism to show us you're the right fit for our team-oriented culture.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their background to what we’re looking for.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Markel
✨Know Your Underwriting Basics
Brush up on your underwriting knowledge, especially around renewals and mid-term adjustments. Familiarise yourself with the types of policies you'll be dealing with, like Professional and Management Risk. This will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to the team.
✨Build Rapport with Brokers
Since building relationships is key in this role, think about how you can demonstrate your interpersonal skills during the interview. Prepare examples of how you've successfully built relationships in the past, and be ready to discuss how you would approach broker interactions.
✨Showcase Your Attention to Detail
As an Assistant Underwriter, attention to detail is crucial. Be prepared to discuss specific instances where your meticulousness has made a difference in your work. You might even want to bring along a sample of your work that highlights your accuracy and thoroughness.
✨Demonstrate a Proactive Mindset
Markel values a proactive approach, so think of examples where you've taken initiative in previous roles. Whether it was identifying upsell opportunities or improving processes, showcasing your solutions-focused mindset will resonate well with the interviewers.