Senior Portfolio Manager in London

Senior Portfolio Manager in London

London Full-Time 60000 - 70089 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Markel

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead portfolio management and drive pricing strategies in the London Market.
  • Company: Join Markel, a diverse and innovative company focused on people and collaboration.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, strong benefits, and 25 days holiday.
  • Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Make a meaningful impact while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in London Market, advanced pricing skills, and strong analytical capabilities.

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 Bank Holidays, with the opportunity to buy/sell extra leave.
  • As well as other great benefits on offer there are countless opportunities to learn new skills and develop in your career!

Are you ready to play your part? If you’re looking for a place where you can make a meaningful difference, you’ve found it. The work we do at Markel gives people the confidence to move forward, reach their full potential and seize opportunities. You’ll find your fit amongst our diverse global community of optimists and problem-solvers. We’re always pushing each other to think further because we believe that when we strive for better and realise our potential, we can help others reach theirs.

Join us and play your part in something special! Choose ‘Apply Now’ to fill out our short application, so that we can find out more about you.

At Markel we are all about the people, celebrating 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 will ensure that individuals are provided with any 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 or adjustments that may be needed, including alternative formats of documents or information on how to apply offline.

Senior Portfolio Manager in London employer: Markel

Markel is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London where innovation and collaboration thrive. Employees benefit from a competitive salary, annual bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes a fantastic pension scheme and health coverage. With a strong commitment to diversity and employee growth, Markel fosters a culture that encourages professional development and values contributions from all backgrounds.

Markel

Contact Details:

Markel Recruitment Team

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

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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.

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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Portfolio Manager in London

London Market Experience
Underwriting Dynamics
Portfolio Performance Analysis
Advanced Pricing Expertise
Actuarial Judgement
Excel Proficiency
SQL for Data Extraction

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.

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'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

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.

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 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 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.