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- Tasks: Lead underwriting strategy and coach talent for sustainable growth.
- Company: Dynamic insurance firm focused on innovation and excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, generous bonuses, and health perks.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with opportunities for professional development and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in underwriting while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: ACII or equivalent with senior underwriting experience and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
We're looking for an experienced Head of Underwriting Direct to lead underwriting strategy, quality, and financial performance across our Direct portfolio. You'll be the figurehead for technical excellence and owner of portfolio outcomes, proactively managing key accounts and coaching our Underwriting talent to deliver sustainable, profitable growth and exceptional retention.
Responsibilities
- Own portfolio performance across GWP, new business, retention, rate movement, and profitability – balancing commercial targets with good customer outcomes.
- Shape pricing strategies at both portfolio and key account level.
- Act as a lead contributor to business planning, providing incisive analysis and constructive challenge.
- Set and maintain underwriting standards; actively engage with UK Underwriting Risk Appetite to ensure alignment and adherence.
- Use your own authority to best effect; cascade authority appropriately and govern it rigorously.
- Translate underwriting strategy into day‑to‑day delivery, challenging where needed to support customer needs and the business plan.
- Lead the quality framework; meet audit and quality metrics or challenge and improve them where they are not fit for purpose – delivering clear, implementable actions.
- Drive the underwriting competency framework, building capability and succession; create and deliver technical training where relevant.
- Act as the senior referral point, disseminate expertise, and maintain a sharp technical edge.
- Champion smarter underwriting processes and tools that optimise accuracy, speed, and quality.
- Coach, mentor, and stretch colleagues at all levels; set clear expectations and celebrate high performance.
- Collaborate and partner closely with UK business teams to optimise performance.
- Represent underwriting matters confidently with internal stakeholders, key clients, and market stakeholders.
- Balance portfolio outcomes and customer outcomes, operating within the regulatory framework and ACII (or equivalent) standards and a proven senior underwriting track record.
Qualifications & Experience
- ACII (or equivalent) and a proven track record in a senior underwriting role.
- Strong portfolio management expertise and commercial fluency.
- A confident, influential communicator—credible at all levels internally and externally.
- Demonstrable coaching capability and a passion for developing others.
- Ability to apply critical thinking beyond standard guidelines and frame pragmatic, risk‑aware solutions.
Benefits
- A competitive salary – let us discuss it.
- Hybrid working.
- Group Personal Pension – up to 12% employer contribution.
- Generous annual bonus scheme: on‑target bonus between 10% and 40%.
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays, and a holiday buy‑and‑sell scheme.
- Health and wellbeing benefits, including private healthcare, income protection, and life assurance.
- £200 annual personal grant to a charity of your choice.
- Encouraged to take at least one volunteering day per year.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Full study support to gain professional qualifications.
- Access to virtual GP.
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay.
Head of Underwriting Direct in Gloucester employer: The Benefact Group
Contact Detail:
The Benefact Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Underwriting Direct in Gloucester
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your achievements and how they relate to the role. We want to see how your experience aligns with the Head of Underwriting Direct position, so come prepared with examples that showcase your portfolio management expertise and coaching capabilities.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Strategy
Since this role is all about leading underwriting strategy, brush up on your knowledge of pricing strategies and portfolio performance metrics. We recommend preparing some insights or ideas you could bring to the table, as this will show your proactive approach and understanding of the business.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s make this happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Underwriting Direct in Gloucester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Head of Underwriting Direct role. Highlight your experience in portfolio management and any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to balance commercial targets with customer outcomes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention your coaching experience and how you’ve driven underwriting strategies in the past, making sure to align with our values at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Technical Expertise: Don’t shy away from flaunting your technical skills! Include specific examples of how you've maintained underwriting standards and improved quality metrics in previous roles. This will show us you’re ready to take on the challenges of this position.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Benefact Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Underwriting Direct, you'll need to demonstrate your grasp of key metrics like GWP, retention rates, and profitability. Brush up on your portfolio performance stats and be ready to discuss how you've influenced these in past roles.
✨Showcase Your Coaching Skills
This role involves mentoring and developing others, so come prepared with examples of how you've successfully coached team members. Think about specific instances where your guidance led to improved performance or outcomes.
✨Be Ready to Challenge the Norm
The job requires critical thinking and the ability to frame pragmatic solutions. Prepare to discuss times when you’ve challenged existing processes or standards and how that led to better results for the business.
✨Communicate with Confidence
You'll be representing underwriting matters to various stakeholders, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Use examples from your experience to illustrate your points and show that you can engage effectively at all levels.