Underwriting Team Manager

Working hours: This role is available on a part-time, job-share or full-time basis.

Location: Birmingham, Hybrid

Closing date for applications: 24th March 2025

The opportunity: We are passionate about our customers, so much so it drives every decision and action we take. Through creative propositions to suit our customer’s needs, we like to go above and beyond to exceed all expectations by delivering a high-quality service that sets us apart from our competitors. The role of Underwriting Team Manager is to lead, motivate and develop a team of Trading Underwriters to ensure they deliver a high-quality service that surpasses expectations, and creates an environment to successfully achieve the financial and operational plans set for the team.

Key responsibilities:

• Drive the Trading Underwriter culture to go above and beyond for our customers, by being creative and dynamic with our thinking.
• Create a culture of service excellence, striving, and exceeding our customer perceptions.
• Lead the personal performance and development of approximately 10-14 direct reports in pursuit of continuous improvement in key activities and behaviours, which contribute to the delivery of business objectives.
• Continually look for process improvements to benefit the customer, with work capacity and resource management in mind.
• Work with management team to drive inspirational culture and to challenge business process in order to improve efficiency and productivity.
• Inspire individuals to achieve outstanding performance through personal leadership style and behaviours.
• Motivate, mentor and develop individuals to maximise potential.
• Act as a role model for the Zurich behaviours.
• Monitor, track and report financial performance of the team against annual financial and operational targets set in own area, ensuring accountability and responsibility from your team.
• Maintain a detailed understanding of the channel metrics and the drivers of performance variances against expectations and use data to influence and advise the team strategy.
• Embed and drive a service excellence culture in team by responding to customers in a timely manner, whilst understanding and leading an evolving customer demand.
• Develop knowledge and understanding of governance and controls, policies and procedures to ensure the team's work is undertaken to the standards of behaviour and in accordance with policy.
• Ability to interpret data in order to determine responses to market conditions and customer demand, ensuring it is meaningful and accurate to influence team strategy.

Your skills and experience:

• Previous experience of leading and driving a team to success in an ever-changing and competitive market.
• Ability to coach and influence people at all levels.
• Proven experience of leading and developing people’s performance.
• Experience of using data to make informed decisions on resource management and implementing a short- and long-term strategy in order to achieve the operational and financial goals.
• Demonstrable experience of working within an organisation with strong corporate values.
• Previous experience within General Insurance industry desirable.
• Innovative, enthusiastic and forward thinking.

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. 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. So make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported, Love what you do. Work for us.