Senior Underwriter - New Business in Birmingham

Senior Underwriter - New Business in Birmingham

Birmingham Full-Time 50000 - 65000 £ / year (est.) On-site
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead new business submissions and craft smart insurance solutions with brokers.
  • Company: Join Travelers, a top property casualty insurer with over 170 years of innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25+ days holiday, private medical insurance, and a wellness programme.
  • Other info: Opportunity to mentor junior underwriters and engage in community volunteering.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a collaborative environment while developing your career.
  • Qualifications: A Levels or similar, strong underwriting experience, and excellent communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.

Who Are We? Taking care of our customers, our communities and each other. That’s the Travelers Promise. By honoring this commitment, we have maintained our reputation as one of the best property casualty insurers in the industry for over 170 years. Join us to discover a culture that is rooted in innovation and thrives on collaboration.

What Is the Opportunity? Business Insurance helps companies in the UK and Ireland identify, prepare for and mitigate risks by offering a broad array of industry-specific, combined property and casualty insurance solutions to customers. This includes SME solutions traded directly, Commercial Accounts traded via brokers, and Corporate Solutions to FTSE 350 Risk Managed companies. We are looking for a driven Senior Property & Casualty Underwriter to join our high-performing Birmingham Branch. In this role, you will take the lead on developing and managing new business submissions, quotes, and binds, working strategically alongside broker partners to develop relationships and craft smart insurance solutions that genuinely meet customer needs. You will bring sharp analytical thinking to evaluate and manage risk across your portfolio, with the confidence to negotiate terms, close deals, and thrive in competitive markets, driving sustainable growth and profitability.

What Will You Do?

  • Manage the profitability, growth, and retention of an assigned book of business primarily comprised of moderate to complex accounts across all our products.
  • Underwrite and skillfully negotiate moderate to complex risks to minimise risk and maximise profitability, including Mid Term Adjustments (MTAs).
  • Proactively manage your portfolio, ensuring key performance indicators are consistently achieved and you actively target new business and retention.
  • Identify and take corrective action based on individual risk characteristics identified through Portfolio Management to actively manage your portfolio of risks.
  • Identify and capture opportunities to write additional lines of business using knowledge of products, risk characteristics and appetite.
  • Proactively utilise various technology platforms to quote and bind risk efficiently.
  • Prepare, lead and present Underwriting Reviews for individual policies or portfolios/schemes and manage action points.
  • Cultivate and maintain relationships with internal partners within the business unit and across the enterprise to identify cross‑selling opportunities.
  • Foster and maintain relationships with brokers by phone, email or other communication channels to market and sell Travelers products with a goal of writing and retaining accounts consistent with our risk appetite.
  • Must be able to travel to meetings.
  • Develop and execute pipeline plans and support the renewal team in the retention of business that aligns with the team’s sales plans to drive success working in partnership with the sales team.
  • Train and mentor less experienced underwriters.
  • Support and collaboration for more junior members of the team, including referrals.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

What Will Our Ideal Candidate Have?

  • A Levels or similar qualification.
  • Deep knowledge of products, the regulatory environment, and the local insurance market.
  • Strong critical thinking skills with the ability to underwrite, market products, identify financial challenges, and analyse available information to make decisions in alignment with our risk appetite.
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to successfully negotiate in difficult situations with brokers.
  • Ability to work with people from different backgrounds, experiences, cultures, races, etc. and view those differences as assets to be leveraged to accomplish business goals and objectives.
  • Experience coaching and mentoring others.
  • Review competitor press releases and industry trade press for helpful insights, linking key themes together and identifying applicability to team strategies.
  • Participate in and/or lead projects that involve complex analysis and implementation of non‑complex, routine business and regulatory changes relating to the enhancement, maintenance or introduction of new products.

What is a Must Have?

  • Strong experience of underwriting, product knowledge, financial analysis, or risk assessment experience.

What Is in It for You?

  • Private Medical Insurance: On commencement of employment, you are eligible for single cover provided by Travelers, with the option to add cover for your dependents, at your expense through payroll deduction.
  • Retirement: Travelers will make a core contribution of a percentage of salary to your Pension Plan. Additionally, if you decide to contribute to the plan, you will receive an increased company contribution.
  • Holiday Entitlement: Start your career at Travelers with a minimum of 25 days holiday entitlement annually, plus the opportunity to purchase additional days to allow for up to a total of 35 holidays per year.
  • Wellness Programme: The Travelers wellness programme is comprised of tools, discounts and resources that empower you to achieve your wellness goals and caregiving needs. In addition, our mental health programme provides access to free professional counseling services and other resources that support your daily life needs.
  • Volunteer Encouragement: We have a deep commitment to the communities we serve and encourage our employees to get involved. Travelers has a Matching Gift and Volunteer Rewards programme that enables you to give back to the charity of your choice.

Employment Practices: Travelers is an equal opportunity employer. We value the unique abilities and talents each individual brings to our organization and recognise that we benefit in numerous ways from our differences. If you are a candidate and have specific questions regarding the physical requirements of this role, please send us an email so we may assist you. Travelers reserves the right to fill this position at a level above or below the level included in this posting.

Senior Underwriter - New Business in Birmingham employer: Travelers Europe

Travelers is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being of its employees, offering a supportive work culture rooted in innovation and collaboration. With flexible hybrid work arrangements, comprehensive benefits including private medical insurance, generous holiday entitlement, and a wellness programme, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. The London, Redhill, or Dublin offices provide a vibrant environment for growth, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the actuarial field.

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Contact Details:

Travelers Europe Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Underwriter - New Business in Birmingham

✨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.

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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Underwriter - New Business in Birmingham

Underwriting
Risk Assessment
Financial Analysis
Negotiation Skills
Analytical Thinking
Relationship Management
Portfolio Management

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 Travelers Europe.

Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don't just send a generic CV! Focus on tailoring it specifically for the insurance role at Travelers Europe. 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 Travelers Europe

✨Know Your Numbers: Insurance Fundamentals

Brush up on your understanding of key insurance concepts, like underwriting principles and risk assessment. Expect the interviewer at Travelers Europe 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 Travelers Europe, 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 Travelers Europe'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.