At a Glance
- Tasks: Administer underwriting rules, develop relationships, and identify growth opportunities.
- Company: Join Zurich, a leading global insurer with a strong community focus.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, competitive pension, annual bonus, and private medical insurance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Underwriting experience preferred but not essential; strong communication and negotiation skills required.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with a commitment to employee wellbeing and continuous development.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
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-sight 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Market Underwriter, Engineering in Birmingham employer: Zurich Insurance
Contact Detail:
Zurich Insurance Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Market Underwriter, Engineering in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more connections you make, the better your chances of landing that Engineering Market Underwriter role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and the role inside out. Think about how your skills match what they’re looking for, especially in communication and relationship building. Practice common interview questions so you can shine when it’s your turn to talk.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your adaptability! Since this role values flexibility, be ready to discuss how you’ve successfully adapted your communication style in different situations. Share examples that highlight your ability to build relationships with brokers and customers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows you’re genuinely interested and keeps you on their radar. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’d be a perfect fit!
We think you need these skills to ace Market Underwriter, Engineering in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Engineering Market Underwriter role. Highlight your relevant underwriting experience and any transferable skills, even if you lack specific engineering knowledge. We want to see how you can adapt and grow with us!
Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since strong communication is key for this role, don’t shy away from showcasing your verbal and written skills in your application. Use clear and concise language, and maybe even include examples of how you've effectively communicated in past roles. We love a good story!
Demonstrate Your Willingness to Learn: If you don’t have engineering underwriting experience, that’s cool! Make sure to express your eagerness to learn and develop in your application. We’re all about investing in our people, so let us know how you plan to grow with us.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s super easy and ensures your application goes directly to the right team. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to join us at Zurich!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zurich Insurance
✨Know Your Underwriting Basics
Even if you don't have specific Engineering experience, brush up on your general underwriting knowledge. Familiarise yourself with underwriting rules, guidelines, and the legal environment. This will show that you're proactive and ready to learn.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since strong communication is key for this role, prepare examples of how you've adapted your communication style in different situations. Think about times when you successfully built relationships with brokers or clients, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Market-Facing Scenarios
As this role involves meeting external brokers and customers, practice how you would approach these interactions. Role-play potential scenarios where you might need to negotiate terms or present products, ensuring you can demonstrate your relationship-building skills.
✨Discuss Flexibility Openly
The company values flexibility, so don’t hesitate to discuss your needs during the interview. Be honest about what working arrangements suit you best, whether it’s part-time, job-share, or hybrid work. This shows that you’re thoughtful about your work-life balance.