At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a team of underwriters to achieve business goals.
- Company: Join a collaborative company that values innovation and progress.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic environment with excellent growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving team performance and customer outcomes.
- Qualifications: Proven underwriting experience and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
With a company culture rooted in collaboration, expertise and innovation, we aim to promote progress and inspire our clients, employees, investors and communities to achieve their greatest potential. Our work is the catalyst that helps others achieve their goals. In short, We Enable PossibilitySM.
Role Purpose
The Team Manager is responsible for delivering profitable growth through people. The role exists to lead, develop and support a team of underwriters, ensuring high levels of performance, technical excellence, broker engagement and customer outcomes. The Team Manager will create an accountable, high-performing culture that aligns with UK Regional objectives and ARCH values. Working as a key member of the branch leadership team, the role balances people leadership, trading support, operational oversight, underwriting governance and sales leadership to ensure sustainable and profitable branch growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership & People Management
- Lead, inspire and motivate a team of underwriters.
- Conduct regular 1:1 meetings, coaching sessions and performance reviews.
- Create individual development plans and support career progression.
- Identify and develop future talent and succession pipelines.
- Build a highly engaged and accountable team culture.
- Manage performance effectively, recognising success and addressing performance concerns.
- Promote wellbeing, inclusion and employee engagement.
- Act as a role model for ARCH values and leadership behaviours.
- Business Performance & Delivery
- Deliver agreed branch and team objectives.
- Drive performance across: Gross Written Premium (GWP), New Business, Retention, Rate achievement, Income growth, Service standards, Pipeline generation and conversion.
- Monitor performance through management information and branch dashboards.
- Identify risks and opportunities and implement corrective actions where required.
- Support branch business planning and execution of regional priorities.
- Ensure consistent achievement of agreed service and productivity standards.
- Sales, Trading & Distribution Leadership
- Embed a proactive trading and sales culture.
- Drive prospecting discipline across the team.
- Ensure effective pipeline management and opportunity conversion.
- Support strong broker engagement and relationship development.
- Coach underwriters in trading, negotiation and relationship management skills.
- Participate in key broker meetings and support strategic trading opportunities.
- Promote a customer-focused approach to business growth and development.
- Actively support branch trading plans and regional growth strategies.
- Technical Underwriting Leadership
- Maintain strong underwriting standards and controls.
- Provide technical guidance and referral support.
- Ensure consistent application of underwriting authority and appetite.
- Support training and development of technical capability.
- Drive quality assurance standards and continuous improvement.
- Support implementation of underwriting strategy and regional trading initiatives.
- Promote technical excellence and sound underwriting judgement throughout the team.
- Operational Leadership
- Ensure effective workload distribution and resource management.
- Maintain operational efficiency and service standards.
- Drive adherence to agreed processes and procedures.
- Support change management and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Ensure effective use of systems, reporting tools and management information.
- Remove barriers that impact team performance and productivity.
- Assist the Branch Manager in delivering branch operational objectives.
- Governance, Risk & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with all company, regulatory and Consumer Duty requirements.
- Promote a culture of responsible underwriting and good customer outcomes.
- Support audit, compliance and risk management activity.
- Ensure team adherence to internal controls and governance processes.
- Maintain oversight of licensing, authorities and competency requirements.
- Ensure colleagues understand and fulfil their regulatory responsibilities.
Key Relationships
- Internal
- Branch Manager
- Regional Manager
- Underwriting Leadership Team
- Distribution Team
- Claims
- Operations
- Risk & Compliance
- Human Resources
- Learning & Development
- External
- Brokers
- Customers
- Industry Partners
- Professional Bodies
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- Essential
- Proven underwriting experience.
- Strong leadership and people development capability.
- Excellent trading and negotiation skills.
- Sound understanding of insurance market dynamics.
- Strong commercial awareness.
- Effective communication and influencing skills.
- Strong planning, organisation and prioritisation abilities.
- Experience of managing performance and developing talent.
- Desirable
- ACII qualification or working towards.
- Previous people management experience.
- Experience leading change and business improvement initiatives.
Leadership Expectations
A Team Manager will:
- Lead with credibility, energy and purpose.
- Create an environment where individuals can perform at their best.
- Deliver results through coaching rather than direct control.
- Build trust with colleagues, brokers and stakeholders.
- Encourage collaboration across teams and branches.
- Champion continuous improvement and innovation.
- Foster a strong culture of accountability, ownership and customer focus.
Measures of Success
A successful Team Manager will:
- Deliver branch financial objectives.
- Improve team capability and engagement.
- Build a strong and sustainable pipeline culture.
- Maintain excellent underwriting and compliance standards.
- Develop future talent and succession plans.
- Enhance broker relationships and customer outcomes.
- Consistently demonstrate ARCH values and leadership expectations.
Do you like solving complex business problems, working with talented colleagues and have an innovative mindset? Arch may be a great fit for you. If this job isn’t the right fit but you’re interested in working for Arch, create a job alert! Simply create an account and opt in to receive emails when we have job openings that meet your criteria. Join our talent community to share your preferences directly with Arch’s Talent Acquisition team.
Underwriting Team Manager in St Albans employer: Mcneil & Co.
McNeil & Co. is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London where innovation and collaboration thrive. As an Underwriting Operations Apprentice, you will benefit from a structured apprenticeship programme that not only provides valuable qualifications but also fosters personal and professional growth through hands-on experience and mentorship. Join a team that values efficiency and creativity, and be part of a company committed to your success and development in the financial services sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Underwriting Team Manager in St Albans
✨Dive Into Industry Networking Events
Get your foot in the door by attending insurance industry events and conferences. Not only will you learn about the latest trends, but you'll also meet potential employers and industry peers. Check out local chapters of professional bodies like the Chartered Insurance Institute for valuable meetups.
✨Use LinkedIn to Your Advantage
Don’t underestimate the power of LinkedIn in the insurance world. Engage with industry content, join relevant groups, and connect with professionals at companies you admire (like Mcneil & Co.). A thoughtful message explaining your interest can really make a difference!
✨Look Out for Graduate Schemes
Many firms in insurance have structured graduate programmes. Keep an eye on application windows and utilise your university's career services for insider tips. These schemes are designed to develop talent and often lead to permanent roles after your initial training.
✨Leverage Your Current Connections
Got friends or family in the industry? Now’s the time to reach out! Personal referrals can give you a head start, so let them know you're on the lookout for full-time opportunities at places like Mcneil & Co.. Don’t shy away from asking for a coffee chat; you never know what doors it might open!
We think you need these skills to ace Underwriting Team Manager in St Albans
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In insurance, we love a candidate who can crunch numbers and analyse data effectively. When crafting your CV, make sure to showcase any relevant coursework or experiences that highlight your analytical abilities, especially if you’ve tackled risk assessment or financial modelling.
Showcase Industry Knowledge:Don’t be shy about your knowledge of the insurance sector! We want to see that you've done your homework on current trends, regulations, and challenges in the industry. Mention any relevant projects or studies you’ve completed that demonstrate your understanding of the field in your cover letter.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you’re passionate about insurance. Share any personal experiences or what drew you into this profession. We’re looking for enthusiasm and a clear motivation for why you want to be part of our team at Mcneil & Co..
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don't just send a generic CV! Focus on tailoring it specifically for the insurance role at Mcneil & Co.. Highlight relevant skills such as risk management, customer service experience, or any certifications you've earned in the industry to make your application stand out.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mcneil & Co.
✨Know Your Numbers: Insurance Fundamentals
Brush up on your understanding of key insurance concepts, like underwriting principles and risk assessment. Expect the interviewer at Mcneil & Co. to throw some technical questions your way, so be ready to demonstrate your grasp of these essentials.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Side
In the insurance world, it's all about data. Prepare to discuss any analytical tools or methodologies you've used in past experiences. If you have a portfolio of projects where you've tackled complex data, bring that along to impress the team!
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
As a full-timer at Mcneil & Co., they'll want to know how you handle real-life scenarios, not just theory. Think about challenges you've faced in teamwork or customer service, and how those experiences can relate to a career in insurance.
✨Know the Company Culture Inside Out
Understanding Mcneil & Co.'s values and workplace culture is essential. Don’t just memorise their mission statement; think about how your personal values align with theirs. This will show your genuine interest in being part of their team long-term.
