At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to analyse risks and support underwriting for global financial clients.
- Company: Zurich, a leading insurance provider with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, competitive salary, professional qualifications sponsorship, and wellness benefits.
- Other info: Opportunities for growth and development in a supportive workplace.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in a dynamic environment with real impact on global finance.
- Qualifications: Curiosity about finance, attention to detail, and strong communication skills.
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: A commitment to work from our London Mark Lane office 2 to 3 times a week.
The opportunity: Start your underwriting career with Zurich. Join our Financial Institutions (FI) underwriting team and help protect some of the world's most complex and high‑profile clients – with the training, mentoring and progression to grow into a fully‑fledged underwriter.
Why Financial Institutions? Our clients are the organisations that power the global economy: international banks, asset managers, insurers, private equity firms, fintechs, payment providers and crypto exchanges. The risks they face are complex, fast‑moving and often make the headlines — from AI threats and regulatory enforcement to executive liability, cyber, and financial crime. You'll get a front‑row seat to how global finance really works and build technical expertise that's genuinely in demand.
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? As an Underwriting Assistant within the Financial Institutions team, you will:
- Underwriting and Risk Analysis
- Analyse new and renewal submissions alongside experienced underwriters.
- Review financial data, loss records and risk information to identify key exposures.
- Prepare referral packs for underwriters.
- Contribute to rating and pricing decisions using our underwriting tools.
- Broker and Market Engagement
- Build broker relationships as a trusted day‑to‑day point of contact.
- Respond to broker queries and drive follow‑ups to completion.
- Deliver quotes, endorsements and renewal documentation accurately and on time.
- Portfolio and Business Management
- Contribute to portfolio reviews and produce reporting insights.
- Participate in driving profitable growth across the portfolio.
- Operations and Continuous Improvement
- Process risks, endorsements and documentation with accuracy and pace.
- Ensure data quality in our underwriting systems.
- Champion process improvements and share ideas that make us better.
What are we looking for?
- Curiosity about financial services and a genuine interest in how businesses manage risk.
- A sharp eye for detail and confidence working with numbers and complex information.
- Clear communication skills – you can explain things simply, in writing or on a call.
- A collaborative mindset and enjoy building strong relationships across teams.
- A proactive approach – you spot opportunities and aren't afraid to suggest improvements.
- A long‑term interest in building a career in specialty underwriting.
- A commitment to work from our London Mark Lane office 2 to 3 times a week.
- Previous experience in insurance, financial services or a numerate field is welcome but not essential.
We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, even if you don't tick every box above.
What You'll Get: We invest in our people because we know great careers are built on great support. Join us and you'll enjoy:
- Professional qualifications – full sponsorship for CII/ACII study, including exam fees, study leave and materials.
- Structured development – tailored onboarding, technical training and mentoring from experienced underwriters.
- A clear career path – many of our Underwriting Assistants progress into Underwriter roles, and we'll help you get there.
- London Market exposure – hands‑on experience with global clients, brokers and complex risks from day one.
- Competitive rewards – market‑aligned salary, annual bonus, pension, private medical cover and wider wellbeing benefits.
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, alongside a range of other flexible benefits.
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.
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.
Underwriting Assistant - Financial Institutions employer: Zurich Insurance
At Zurich Insurance, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values flexibility and inclusivity. Our Strategic Account Manager role offers a collaborative work culture with opportunities for professional growth, supported by a comprehensive benefits package including a generous pension scheme and the ability to tailor your holiday options. Join us in London or from anywhere in the UK, and be part of a team that empowers you to make a meaningful impact while balancing your personal and professional life.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Underwriting Assistant - Financial Institutions
✨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. 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. 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 Underwriting Assistant - Financial Institutions
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 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 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
✨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 Underwriting Assistant - Financial Institutions at Zurich Insurance.
✨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.
✨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.
