Property Underwriter

This career opportunity is available at Santam Syndicate 1918 for an Underwriter: North American Open Market Property who will be based in the UK & have right to work in the UK.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

We are looking for an experienced and commercially driven Underwriter – North American Open Market Property to work with the Head of Property to lead and manage a North American property insurance portfolio. This role is responsible for delivering profitable growth, overseeing underwriting performance, and supporting broker relationships across both large commercial and/or mid-market property risks. You will play a key role in developing underwriting strategy, ensuring portfolio health, and driving innovation in the book.

WHAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL IN THE ROLE?

• Key Responsibilities:

• Underwriting & Risk Assessment

• Assess, underwrite, and price new and existing property risks in line with syndicate underwriting philosophies and authority limits.
• Drafting and agreeing the underwriting philosophy and appetite with the Head of Property and Active Underwriter.
• Analyse exposures, coverage requirements, and terms to determine appropriate risk appetite and pricing.
• Act as both a leader setting market terms and also a follower providing accretive capacity behind credible Lloyd’s leaders.
• Ensure documentation is accurate, complete, and compliant with internal policies and regulatory standards.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with brokers and clients in the London Market and across North America.
• Negotiate terms, conditions, and pricing to secure profitable business.
• Deliver responsive service and technical support, enhancing the syndicate’s market reputation and profile.
• Travel where required to market conferences and client trips to improve relationships and ensure alignment.
• Monitor portfolio performance and trends, providing insight to support underwriting strategy.
• Identify opportunities for growth and remediation within the book.
• Contribute to reinsurance and risk appetite discussions.
• Work closely with underwriting, claims, actuarial, and pricing teams to ensure alignment and data integrity.
• Contribute to product development, wording reviews, and process improvement initiatives.
• Mentor junior underwriters or assistants, where applicable.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 5-7 Years Experience
• Experience underwriting and managing North American Open Market business in the Lloyd’s market.
• Solid knowledge of property risks, policy wordings, and regulatory environment.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills, with commercial awareness.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, particularly with brokers and clients.
• Proficiency in relevant underwriting systems and Microsoft Office.
• Progress toward professional qualifications (e.g. ACII) preferred.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Delivering results and meeting customer expectation
• Relating and networking
• Analyses
• Applying expertise and technology
• Achieving personal work goals and objectives
• Planning and organising skills
• Problem Solving
• Negotiating
• Business Acumen/Knowledge
• Business Analysis

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

• Drives results
• Recognised personal reputation
• Deciding and initiating action
• Leading and supervising
• Client focus
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Cultivates innovation
• Strategic decision making
• Analytical thinking
• Business acumen
• Coaching and development

WHO WE ARE:

Santam syndicate 1918 is a new wholly owned and capitalised entity of Santam Insurance, the largest insurance company in South Africa with a 107-year heritage. 1918 is strategically important in expanding and developing Santam’s international footprint, through access to the London market talent, distribution network and Lloyd’s global insurance and reinsurance licenses. Our syndicate is a London managed and run business, with a strong, experienced leadership team, focused on underwriting discipline, whilst allowing our teams to feel empowered and accountable for their actions. We are building a collaborative team where underwriting, claims, actuarial and other functions work closely, to help achieve superior underwriting results.