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 team with clear opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Take ownership of a high-quality portfolio and make a real impact from day one.
- Qualifications: Strong construction underwriting experience and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ 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. 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. 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.
Underwriter - Construction Renewals in London employer: Markel
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 the flexibility of hybrid working, we provide a supportive environment for professional growth and development. Join our close-knit Construction team in vibrant locations like Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, or London, where your expertise will be valued and your contributions will shape the future of our renewals portfolio.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Underwriter - Construction Renewals in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the construction and underwriting sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. Remember, it’s all about building those relationships that can lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Markel and understand their values and culture. Think about how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in managing renewals and broker relationships. Practise common interview questions and have your own ready to show your interest.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring examples of your past successes in underwriting and managing portfolios to the table. Whether it’s through a portfolio presentation or during discussions, let your achievements speak for themselves and demonstrate how you can add value to their team.
✨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 serious about joining Markel and being part of their collaborative culture. So, get that application in and let’s build something special together!
We think you need these skills to ace Underwriter - Construction Renewals in London
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.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Highlight your relevant underwriting experience, especially in renewals, and demonstrate how you can bring fresh ideas to our team. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their skills to what we do!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and skills are easy to spot. This helps us quickly understand how you can contribute to our people-first culture.
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 shows you’re keen to join our team at Markel!
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 this knowledge has helped you make sound underwriting decisions in the past. This will show that you’re not just experienced but also technically savvy.
✨Bring Fresh Ideas to the Table
Markel values fresh perspectives, so think about how you can contribute to the team's evolution. Prepare a few ideas on how you could improve processes or enhance broker relationships. This will demonstrate your proactive mindset and willingness to make an impact from day one.
