Market Underwriter, Engineering in Birmingham

Location: Birmingham/Hybrid with some travel (5%)

Working hours: This role is available on a part-time, job-share or full-time basis

Closing date for applications: Friday 27th April 2026

The opportunity: Are you an experienced Underwriter looking for a new challenge? Don’t worry if you don’t have the specific Engineering experience, if you have Underwriting experience and are willing to learn, we will invest in your development! If you have strong communication skills and the ability to adapt your communication style depending on the situation, we would love to hear from you! This is an office-based role and there will be elements of market facing where you will meet external brokers and customers. Many of our employees work flexibly in a variety of different ways, including part-time, flexible hours, job share, an element of working from home or compressed hours. This is because we want the best people for our roles, and we recognise that sometimes those people aren’t available full-time. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you may need.

What will you be doing?

• Administer and monitor underwriting rules and guidelines, rating manual rules, and insurance laws and regulations.
• Develop, maintain & collaborate with Line of Business representatives and other business-related needs, as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain relationships with distributors (agents & brokers) in support of business retention and acquisition.
• Support the organization’s sales culture by being a Help Point for agents, brokers and customers.
• Proactively seek renewal and new account opportunities.
• Complete detailed opportunity assessment with key distributors to identify growth opportunities.
• Qualify accounts to meet with the organization’s appetite, balanced with sound business opportunity.
• Make broker/customer and on-site calls with a planned and well-prepared purpose.
• Cross-Sell other lines of business to increase the organization’s product density with the account.
• Promote the organization’s products and services to increase penetration with agency plant.
• Participate in Sales Team meetings as they relate to assigned brokers and/or territory.
• Update required systems with details of broker/client visits and account statuses within specified time frame.
• Serve as key contact for assigned target accounts.
• Calculate Target Price accurately by utilizing underwriting tools appropriately.
• Measure exposures/analyse risk.
• Quote and set coverage, negotiate terms and conditions.
• Service accounts, handle declinations/cancellations.
• Participate in marketing presentations to assigned agents/brokers.
• Resolve technical problems by referring to policies, procedures, specifications.
• Provide technical expertise for short-term, defined scope projects.
• Identify and comply with the main principles relevant to legal and regulatory controls that govern standard work practices.
• Monitor underwriting processes to identify opportunities for improvement.

What are we looking for?

• It would be great if you have Engineering Underwriting experience but this isn’t essential.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic knowledge of the insurance industry and the legal and regulatory environment.
• Financial knowledge and skills.
• Knowledge of underwriting philosophy, techniques, national/local filing practices, procedures and guidelines.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Skills in relationship building, active listening, needs analysis and win-win negotiating.
• Presentation skills and a solutions and service orientation.

As an inclusive employer we want to ensure that all candidates feel comfortable and are able to perform at their best during the interview. You’ll have the opportunity to let us know of any reasonable adjustment or practical support needed when you apply.

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 long-standing players in the insurance industry.

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’d love it if you could submit your application online. If you require an alternative method of applying, please send an email to recruitment@uk.zurich.com.