At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a high-performing team in portfolio management and underwriting.
- Company: Join a flexible, innovative company committed to your growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, annual bonus, and flexible holiday options.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and hybrid location with opportunities for career advancement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of underwriting while making meaningful connections with partners.
- Qualifications: Experience in portfolio management and strong technical underwriting skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Working hours: This role is available on a part‑time, job‑share or full‑time basis.
Location: We’re flexible on where you are based; however, there will be a need to travel to London or Croydon offices regularly, Hybrid.
Closing date for applications: 22nd July 2026.
The opportunity: Are you ready for the next step in your career? If you have strong technical underwriting or portfolio management experience within Commercial Markets, this could be the ideal opportunity. We’re seeking a Schemes Portfolio Underwriting Manager to help shape our underwriting appetite and build a balanced, profitable portfolio aligned with Zurich’s strategy.
What will you be doing?
- Leadership, Team Development & Direction Setting: You’ll be part of a supportive and high‑performing team of portfolio analysts and underwriters. You’ll help communicate, embed and champion effective strategies, methodologies and behaviours across the wider underwriting community. Development matters to us — and you’ll play an important role in setting high standards, supporting growth and helping others reach their potential.
- Technical Underwriting & Portfolio Oversight: You’ll design, implement and lead robust underwriting, portfolio and product oversight frameworks across the Schemes portfolio. From ensuring strong underwriting discipline to understanding performance drivers and refining acceptance criteria, you’ll be central to driving continuous improvement and best‑practice underwriting.
- Customer & Partner Engagement: You’ll build meaningful relationships with key partners, ensuring we deliver positive outcomes and add real value. You’ll support the negotiation of new and existing delegated arrangements and work with a diverse mix of niche trades and risks. Flexibility, creativity and a solutions‑focused mindset will be crucial to helping our partners succeed.
What are we looking for?
- Experience in portfolio management and underwriting within personal lines or commercial markets
- Strong authority and technical underwriting expertise in property, casualty or broader commercial lines
- Experience reviewing policy wordings and contributing to underwriting guides
- Understanding of delegated underwriting arrangements
- Commercial, market, financial risk and regulatory awareness
- Strong portfolio management skills
- Effective leadership, influencing and stakeholder management experience
- Excellent relationship‑building, communication and negotiation skills
- Ability to explain technical concepts clearly to non‑technical audiences
- Experience managing or delivering through a diverse stakeholder network
- Prior people management experience beneficial but not essential
- A solutions‑focused approach with strong delivery capability
- Advanced knowledge of commercial lines products
- Understanding of portfolio financial dynamics (e.g., expense allocation, return on capital)
What will you get in return? The employee benefits include a 12% defined non‑contributory pension scheme, an annual company bonus, private medical insurance, and the option to buy up to an additional 20 days or sell some of your holiday. These are part of a broad range of flexible benefits that you can tailor throughout the year.
Equal Opportunities: 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.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SME Schemes Portfolio Underwriting Manager in London
✨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.
✨Use LinkedIn to Your Advantage
Don’t underestimate the power of LinkedIn in the insurance world. Engage with industry content, join relevant groups, and connect with professionals at companies you admire (like Zurich Insurance). A thoughtful message explaining your interest can really make a difference!
✨Look Out for Graduate Schemes
Many firms in insurance have structured graduate programmes. Keep an eye on application windows and utilise your university's career services for insider tips. These schemes are designed to develop talent and often lead to permanent roles after your initial training.
✨Leverage Your Current Connections
Got friends or family in the industry? Now’s the time to reach out! Personal referrals can give you a head start, so let them know you're on the lookout for full-time opportunities at places like Zurich Insurance. Don’t shy away from asking for a coffee chat; you never know what doors it might open!
We think you need these skills to ace SME Schemes Portfolio Underwriting Manager in London
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 Zurich Insurance.
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don't just send a generic CV! Focus on tailoring it specifically for the insurance role at Zurich Insurance. 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 Zurich Insurance
✨Know Your Numbers: Insurance Fundamentals
Brush up on your understanding of key insurance concepts, like underwriting principles and risk assessment. Expect the interviewer at Zurich Insurance 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 Zurich Insurance, 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 Zurich Insurance'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.
