At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead underwriting strategy and drive portfolio performance in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join QBE, an international insurer with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, flexible working, and a generous pension plan.
- Other info: Be part of a team recognised for diversity and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while shaping the future of insurance.
- Qualifications: Experience in Facilities/DUA and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
London with hybrid working. Shape underwriting strategy and drive portfolio performance.
We’re looking for a Country Underwriting Manager to join our team in a key leadership role, shaping underwriting strategy and driving portfolio performance. This is an opportunity to influence the direction of our business, ensuring alignment with QBE’s overall product and segment strategy while delivering sustainable growth.
Working closely with Product and Distribution teams, you’ll play a central role in driving business performance and leading high-performing underwriting teams. With a strong focus on collaboration, leadership, and strategic decision-making, you’ll support the continued development of our people while ensuring underwriting practices are consistent, effective, and aligned with our broader objectives.
In addition to managing the P&L for the country, this role will also help and enable us to develop expertise and be our single point of contact for all DUAs and facilities in Europe.
Strategy & Planning
- Develop and deliver country underwriting strategies aligned to business objectives, product strategy, and regulatory requirements.
- Partner with Product and European leadership to shape and execute the business plan.
- Provide underwriting and portfolio insights to support strategic decision-making.
- Ensure alignment across underwriting frameworks, pricing, and product development.
Portfolio & Underwriting Management
- Oversee portfolio performance, ensuring effective monitoring, reporting, and actions to optimise profitability.
- Maintain underwriting discipline in line with authorities, risk appetite, and regulatory standards.
- Ensure accuracy and integrity of data used in underwriting and portfolio analysis.
- Lead portfolio reviews and recommend strategies for growth or remediation.
- Drive continuous improvement in underwriting processes, including automation and innovation.
Customer & Market Focus
- Build and maintain strong relationships with brokers, customers, and key stakeholders.
- Work with Distribution and Product teams to refine underwriting guidelines and propositions.
- Incorporate market insights and broker feedback into underwriting and product strategies.
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing underwriting team.
- Set clear objectives, provide regular feedback, and support professional growth.
- Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture with strong cross-functional alignment.
- Ensure team understanding of business plans to support effective decision-making.
Having the right to work in the UK is a requirement for this role. QBE may consider sponsorship at its discretion.
About you
- A relevant background in Facilities / DUA to include leadership and Team Management.
- The ability to lead a diverse team, fostering collaboration and high performance.
- Strategic Thinking - Ability to develop and implement effective underwriting and portfolio strategies.
- Analytical skills - Ability to analyse and interpret data to guide business decisions and improve performance.
- Sales Oriented - Focus on market and support sales and product offerings.
- Data Integrity - Strong focus on ensuring the accuracy and integrity of data used in underwriting and portfolio management to support informed decision making.
Benefits
- 30 days holiday a year with the option to buy up to 2 additional days.
- Flexible working - balancing work and life is important so our flexible working opportunities are open to all, this can include part-time, job share and compressed hours.
- Pension – you are automatically enrolled into the QBE pension plan, which entitles you to receive employer contributions of 10% of your basic salary.
Awards & Recognition
We value our employee’s experience with us and are proud to have been recognised for the following awards:
- Insurance Post British Insurance Awards 2025: Winner: Commercial Lines Insurer of the Year.
- Winner: ESG, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative of the Year.
- Working Dads Employer Awards 2023 Winner: Parental Policies Award.
If you’re looking for a career that combines your expertise and your empathy, click Apply today.
Your career. At the heart of it.
How to Apply: To submit your application, click "Apply" and follow the step by step process.
Equal Employment Opportunity: QBE is an equal opportunity employer and is required to comply with equal employment opportunity legislation in each jurisdiction it operates.
Country Underwriting Manager - European Insurance in London employer: QBE
QBE is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a flexible working environment in the vibrant city of London. With a strong focus on collaboration and leadership, employees are empowered to shape underwriting strategies while enjoying generous benefits such as 30 days of holiday and a robust pension plan. Join a team that values innovation and inclusivity, where your contributions can make a meaningful impact in the insurance industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Country Underwriting Manager - European Insurance in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their underwriting strategies and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online resources to refine your answers. Focus on articulating your leadership style and how you’ve driven portfolio performance in past roles.
✨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 genuinely interested in joining our team at QBE. Let’s make it happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Country Underwriting Manager - European Insurance in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Country Underwriting Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in underwriting strategy and team leadership, showing us how you align with our goals at QBE.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:We want to see your ability to analyse data and make informed decisions. Include examples of how you've used data to drive portfolio performance or improve underwriting processes in your previous roles.
Emphasise Collaboration:This role is all about teamwork! Share instances where you've successfully collaborated with cross-functional teams or led a diverse group to achieve common objectives. We love seeing that collaborative spirit!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Let’s make it happen together!
How to prepare for a job interview at QBE
✨Know Your Underwriting Strategies
Before the interview, brush up on the latest underwriting strategies and trends in the European insurance market. Be ready to discuss how you would align these strategies with QBE's objectives and how your experience can contribute to driving portfolio performance.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style and how you've successfully managed diverse teams in the past. Think about specific instances where you fostered collaboration and high performance, as this role requires strong team development skills.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Prowess
Be prepared to discuss how you analyse data to inform business decisions. Bring examples of how your analytical skills have led to improved performance or strategic insights in previous roles, especially in relation to portfolio management.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role involves maintaining strong relationships with brokers and key stakeholders, think of ways to demonstrate your customer and market focus. Prepare to share experiences where you successfully built and maintained professional relationships that contributed to business success.
