At a Glance
- Tasks: Kickstart your underwriting career by analysing risks and building broker relationships.
- Company: Join Zurich, a leading player in the insurance industry with a focus on sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, professional qualifications, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience with global clients and complex risks while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Curiosity about finance, attention to detail, and strong communication skills are key.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ 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. Ready to build a career in one of the most dynamic corners of the London insurance market? 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.
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.
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.
So, make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported. Love what you do. Work for us.
Underwriting Assistant - Financial Institutions employer: Zurich
Zurich Legacy Solutions (ZLS) is an exceptional employer that prioritises flexibility and employee well-being, offering various working arrangements including part-time and remote options. With a strong focus on professional growth, ZLS provides comprehensive benefits such as a generous pension scheme, annual bonuses, and private medical insurance, ensuring that employees can tailor their work-life balance to suit their individual needs. The collaborative and inclusive work culture fosters strategic thinking and innovation, making it an ideal environment for finance leaders looking to make a meaningful impact in the insurance sector.
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. 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. 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 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 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
✨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.
✨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.
✨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.
