At a Glance
- Tasks: Underwrite annuities and investment bonds, ensuring compliance and risk assessment.
- Company: Join M&G, a leading savings and investments firm with over 175 years of innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38 days annual leave, a generous pension scheme, and health cover.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Shape a new underwriting function and make a real impact on customer outcomes.
- Qualifications: Strong underwriting experience and critical thinking skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Our purpose is to give everyone real confidence to put their money to work. With a heritage dating back more than 175 years, we have a long history of innovation in savings and investments, combining asset management and insurance expertise to offer a wide range of solutions. Our two distinct operating segments, Asset Management and Life, work together to provide access to balanced, long-term investment and savings solutions.
We’re looking for a Senior Underwriter to help M&G Life deliver its strategic priorities for our Annuity products. This is a unique opportunity to join a newly established underwriting function supporting the launch and growth of an exciting new annuity proposition. As an early member of the team, you will have the chance to shape underwriting practices, influence processes and contribute directly to the success of the proposition.
Alongside delivering high-quality underwriting decisions, you will be expected to contribute across a range of activities including process design, testing, training, operational readiness, governance, customer journey development and continuous improvement initiatives. We are looking for someone who thrives in a dynamic environment, enjoys solving problems and is excited by the opportunity to build new capabilities rather than simply operate within established processes.
Key Responsibilities for this Role:- Underwrite a range of financial products, including annuities and investment bonds, ensuring all decisions align with company policies, risk appetite and regulatory requirements.
- Conduct comprehensive risk assessments by reviewing financial, medical and lifestyle data, applying underwriting principles to determine eligibility, pricing and appropriate terms.
- Analyse complex cases and escape where necessary, providing clear rationale and recommendations to senior underwriters or risk committees.
- Collaborate with internal teams (e.g., Actuarial, Compliance, Operations) and external stakeholders (e.g., advisors, reinsurers) to obtain additional information, resolve queries, and ensure smooth case progression.
- Maintain robust documentation of underwriting decisions, risk assessments and supporting evidence for audit, governance, and reporting purposes.
- Monitor regulatory and market developments impacting annuity and bond products, adapting underwriting practices to remain compliant and competitive.
- Contribute to process improvement initiatives, leveraging data insights and technology to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and customer outcomes.
- Support training and knowledge sharing within the underwriting team, promoting best practices and continuous professional development.
- Strong underwriting experience across life, pensions or investment products.
- Proactive and adaptable, bringing a continuous improvement mindset and a willingness to take ownership of tasks and outcomes.
- Ability to apply critical thinking to interpret data from multiple sources, using digital underwriting tools and automation to turn complex information into clear insights that support effective commercial decision making.
- Experience in assessing and underwriting more complex enhanced annuity applications in line with underwriting guidelines and risk appetite.
- Experience working with reinsurers, including management of referral cases, facultative underwriting and underwriting authorities.
- Demonstrable technical underwriting skills with ability to act as a referral point and subject matter expert for more junior underwriters/underwriting support.
- Experience in completing internal quality assurance reviews.
- Strong knowledge of FCA regulation, Consumer Duty requirements and the importance of delivering good customer outcomes.
- Familiarity with automated underwriting systems, rules engines and digital underwriting solutions.
- Customer-focused and commercially aware, with the ability to balance positive customer outcomes with sound risk management and underwriting discipline.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to explain technical underwriting decisions clearly to a wide range of audiences.
- Adaptable and flexible, with the enthusiasm to take on a broad range of responsibilities and contribute to the successful development of a new underwriting function.
We’d love to hear from you if you’re someone who’s genuinely curious – the kind of person who asks thoughtful questions and digs a little deeper to understand what’s really going on. You enjoy working with others and naturally bring people together, even when things feel a bit unclear. You think ahead, notice patterns early and stay focused on creating real value for the people around you. Most of all, you care about making things better – for colleagues, for customers, and for the workplace as a whole. If this sounds like you, we want you to apply!
What we offer:- A valuable pension scheme of 18%, with 13% made up of Employer Contributions and 5% Employee Contributions.
- Share Save and our Share Incentive Plan, together with access to financial wellbeing and support services.
- 38 days annual leave including bank holidays, with the opportunity to purchase up to 5 extra days.
- Market leading Inspiring Families policy includes comprehensive support and paid parental leave covering maternity, adoption, surrogacy, and paternity leave.
- Health & Protection cover including Private Healthcare, Critical Illness cover and Life Assurance for you, with family options.
- A diverse workforce and an inclusive culture at M&G, underpinned by our policies and our employee-led networks.
Senior Underwriter - Annuities employer: M&G
M&G is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that values diversity and inclusion while fostering collaboration across geographically distributed teams. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, the company provides ample opportunities for professional advancement in the vibrant city of Edinburgh, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in technology delivery.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Underwriter - Annuities
✨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
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
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.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like M&G. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Underwriter - Annuities
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 M&G.
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 M&G'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 M&G
✨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 M&G.
✨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 M&G 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 M&G 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.