Senior Life Underwriter in Fareham

Working hours: This role is available on a part-time, job-share or full-time basis (37.5 HPW).

Location: Flexible – home-working contracts available.

The opportunity: At Zurich, we’re on an exciting journey of change and transformation. Our aim is to be the leading Retail Protection provider for advisers, customers, and colleagues alike. As our business grows, we’re now looking for a passionate, detail-focused Large Case Underwriter to join our successful team.

Large Case Underwriting is where complexity meets opportunity. You’ll be responsible for assessing high-value Life, Critical Illness, and/or Income Protection applications, often involving substantial Sum Assureds. This role goes beyond standard underwriting—requiring careful analysis of automatic medical reports, in-depth medical exams, blood tests, financial questionnaires, and accounts.

You’ll work closely with our Reassurers, as well as our Sales and Pricing teams, to deliver bespoke and competitive pricing solutions. Providing timely and regular updates to advisers, and building excellent working relationships, will set you apart and help us deliver outstanding customer service.

What will you be doing? We’re seeking experienced underwriters with a passion for excellence in complex and high-value cases, who thrive on building strong relationships and delivering exceptional service. As a Large Case Underwriter, you will:

• Assess large, complex life insurance applications, making high-quality, timely decisions in line with Zurich’s philosophy and frameworks.
• Make quality, timely decisions in line with the Zurich underwriting philosophy and frameworks, underwriting applications to a high standard.
• Confidently analyse and interpret a wide range of medical evidence, financial documentation, and risk factors.
• Liaise closely with Reassurers and internal teams to create bespoke, competitive offers for our customers.
• Engage and develop excellent relationships with our strategic accounts and deliver a market leading service.
• Build and nurture strong working relationships with colleagues across Sales, Pricing, and other key functions.
• Support and mentor colleagues, sharing your expertise and helping to develop our team’s capabilities.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, always acting with integrity and a positive, can-do attitude.
• Train and support other team members, providing coaching where needed.

What are we looking for? Someone with authority to underwrite high-value protection products (Life, Critical Illness, and/or Income Protection). Strong analytical skills and the ability to make informed decisions on complex cases. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the confidence to explain decisions and negotiate outcomes. Experience working in a team environment, as well as independently. High attention to detail and a proven track record of delivering quality results. Good IT skills and familiarity with underwriting systems.

What will you get in return? Everyone’s different. That’s why at Zurich, we offer a wide range of employee benefits so our people can choose what fits them and their life. Our benefits provide real flexibility so our people can make considered choices and tailor their benefits throughout the year. Our benefits include 12% defined non-contributory pension scheme, annual company bonus, private medical insurance and the option to buy up to an additional 20 days or sell some of your holiday.

Who we are: At Zurich we aspire to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world and the best global insurer. Together we’re creating a brighter future for our customers, our people and our planet. With over 55,000 employees in more than 170 countries, you’ll feel the support of being part of a strong and stable company who are a long-standing player in the insurance industry.

We’ve made a promise to each other and every employee; to focus on sustainable impact, to care about each other’s wellbeing, to use our diverse expertise to be curious and optimistic and to develop the skills needed for our future.

If you’re interested in working in a dynamic and challenging environment for a company that recognises and rewards your creativity, initiatives and contributions - then Zurich could be just the place for you. Be part of something great.

Our Culture: At Zurich, our sense of community is strong and we’re particularly passionate about diversity and inclusion, which we’ve won numerous awards for. We want our people to bring the whole of themselves to work and ensure everybody is made to feel welcome, regardless of their background, beliefs or culture. We want our employees to reflect the diversity of our customers, and so are committed to treating all of our applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background, disability or any other protected characteristic.

We’ve an environment that places a real importance on our people’s wellbeing from a physical, mental, social and financial perspective. We work with our wellbeing partners and industry experts to provide the best advice and access to a wealth of lifestyle support. We’re also committed to continuous improvement and we offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.

We’re passionate about supporting employees to help others by getting involved in volunteering, charitable and community activity. Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, is one of the longest-established corporate trusts in the UK. In that time, we’ve awarded grants and volunteered time to deserving causes in the UK valued at over £90 million.

So make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported, Love what you do. Work for us.