At a Glance
- Tasks: Underwrite complex Surety risks and drive business success in a dynamic team.
- Company: Join Zurich, a leading insurance company with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package tailored to your needs.
- Other info: Be part of a culture that values wellbeing, creativity, and community involvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the London Market while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in UK Contract and Commercial Surety underwriting and strong financial analysis skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Working hours: This role is available on a part-time, job-share or full-time basis.
Salary: Competitive salary plus an excellent benefits package!
Location: London – hybrid working with at least 3 days in our Mark Lane office.
The opportunity:
Are you an experienced underwriter in UK Contract and Commercial Surety, ready to take the next step? Or perhaps a senior underwriter with extensive experience looking to bring your expertise to play a pivotal role in driving the success of our Surety business at the heart of the London Market? If so, we would love to hear from you!
Joining our Commercial Insurance business in London, you’ll be a key member of our Surety Underwriting team, helping to grow our portfolio by delivering exceptional service and underwriting expertise to brokers and customers.
As a Senior Surety Underwriter, you’ll take on significant responsibility for underwriting complex contract and commercial Surety risks, ensuring every decision aligns with our strategies, guidelines, authorities, and pricing frameworks. Your expertise will make a direct impact on the achievement of our Surety business’s strategic and operational objectives.
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?
- The facility and bond underwriting within individual underwriting authority and for providing recommendations for approval by credit committee for facilities and bonds outside of individual underwriting authority.
- Participation on credit committees with authority alongside other credit committee members to approve larger facilities and bonds underwritten by Zurich’s UK Surety team.
- Negotiate bond wordings, indemnities and other recourse documents for new and existing facilities including negotiations with external solicitors and clients.
- Act as referral point for other members of the team for bond enquiries, indemnity and recourse documentation.
- Develop a pipeline of facility and bond enquiries through client, internal Zurich relationships, cross selling and broker relationships.
- Identifying and developing new surety products and target segments.
- Implementing new operational improvements.
What are we looking for?
- Proven experience in underwriting UK Contract and Commercial Surety business.
- Strong financial analysis skills, with the ability to review and interpret financial statements to assess the creditworthiness of Surety clients.
- Solid understanding of indemnity structures and how they apply in practice.
- Collaborative approach and a strong team player.
- In-depth knowledge of Surety bond wordings and associated documentation.
- Ideally, a well-established network of contacts within the UK Surety market.
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.
Follow the link for more information about our benefits - Employee benefits | Working at Zurich Insurance UK
Who we are:
At Zurich we aspire to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world. Together, we’re creating a brighter future for our customers, our people and our planet.
With over 65,000 employees, you’ll feel the support of being part of a strong and stable company that is 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 where your creativity, ideas and contributions are recognised and rewarded, Zurich could be just the place for you. Be part of something great.
Our Culture:
At Zurich, our strength comes from the diverse experiences, perspectives and talents of our people. Our goal is to create a workplace where every employee can flourish and where everyone feels valued, heard and respected.
Over a quarter of our employees are members of at least one of our inclusion communities (Employee Resource Groups), with groups focused on areas such as social mobility and cultural awareness. We’re proud to have received numerous industry awards recognising our diversity and inclusion policies and initiatives.
We’ve created an environment that places 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 practical advice and access to a wide range of lifestyle support, alongside opportunities to learn, grow and develop the skills needed for the future.
We actively support our employees to give back to their communities through volunteering and charitable activity. Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, is one of the longest‑established corporate trusts in the UK. Together, we’ve supported causes across the UK through grants and volunteering, contributing over £100 million in funding and volunteered time.
Your application:
We’re committed to treating all applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background, sexual orientation, disability or any other protected characteristic.
As an inclusive employer we also 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.
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
So, make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported. Love what you do. Work for us.
Senior Surety Underwriter in London employer: Zurich Insurance Group
Zurich is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and development. With flexible working options and a comprehensive benefits package, including a generous pension scheme and private medical insurance, employees can tailor their work-life balance to suit their needs. Located in the heart of London, Zurich provides a unique opportunity to be part of a leading insurance company that values diversity and community engagement, making it an ideal place for professionals looking to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Surety Underwriter in London
✨Hit Up Local Insurance Events
Get yourself to local insurance meetups or networking events! These are goldmines for part-time positions, plus you get to connect with industry professionals who might just know about openings at places like Zurich Insurance Group. Don’t forget to chat up everyone – you never know who might have the inside track!
✨Join Insurance Communities
Dive into insurance forums or online communities. Places like LinkedIn groups or even specialty sites related to insurance are perfect for finding part-time gigs. Ask questions, share your goals, and let folks know you’re on the lookout – community members often share job leads that aren’t advertised widely.
✨Consider Remote Opportunities
Part-time roles can sometimes be remote, which opens up even more doors. Check out remote job boards specifically for insurance roles or on company websites like Zurich Insurance Group. You’d be surprised at how flexible some insurers are with part-time work!
✨Polish Your Cover Letter and Apply Directly
When you find a gig that’s a good fit, don’t just submit a standard application – tailor your cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and enthusiasm for the insurance industry. And hey, be sure to apply through our website! We love seeing strong candidates taking that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Surety Underwriter in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Insurance Knowledge:When applying for a part-time role in insurance, make sure to showcase any relevant knowledge or experience you have. This could include coursework, internships, or even personal projects related to risk assessment. The more you can emphasise your understanding of insurance products and principles, the better!
Tailor Your CV to Stand Out:Your CV should reflect not only your work history but also any certifications or courses you’ve completed in the insurance field. If you have any industry-specific qualifications such as CII (Chartered Insurance Institute), be sure to include them. Customise your CV for the role at Zurich Insurance Group by focusing on skills like communication and analytical thinking.
Express Your Availability and Flexibility:As you’re applying for a part-time position, it’s important to be clear about when you can work. Mention your availability in your cover letter to ensure Zurich Insurance Group knows you’re ready to jump in and assist their team. Flexibility can be a big plus in this industry!
Show Your Willingness to Learn:In your application, don’t hesitate to express your eagerness to grow within the insurance field. Highlight any ways you've actively sought to learn more about the industry, whether through courses, workshops, or reading up on the latest trends. This shows your commitment and can make your application pop!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zurich Insurance Group
✨Understand the Technical Basics
Make sure you're up to speed with the basic concepts of insurance, like risk assessment, policy types, and claims processing. We can’t stress enough how important it is to demonstrate that you grasp these fundamentals, as they often come up in interviews for roles like Senior Surety Underwriter at Zurich Insurance Group.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
In the insurance industry, interaction with clients is key. Be prepared to share examples of how you’ve handled customer queries or complaints, especially in a part-time capacity. We want to see that you can build rapport and deliver clear explanations—this can make or break your chances at Zurich Insurance Group.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
You might face questions that put you in specific situations, e.g., 'How would you handle a dissatisfied customer?' Practice thinking through these scenarios so you can showcase your problem-solving skills and customer service knowledge fluidly when asked during the interview.
✨Flexibility and Availability is Key
As a part-time candidate, it's crucial to be clear about your availability during the interview. We should highlight that we're eager to fit into the team’s schedule while adapting to peak times or unusual circumstances in the insurance sector—show that you're committed to working alongside them effectively.
