Trading Underwriter

A leading commercial and specialty insurer is looking for an Underwriter to manage an individual portfolio and deliver consistent, high-quality underwriting decisions. You’ll handle a mix of new business and renewals, working within delegated authority and agreed underwriting frameworks, with support from senior colleagues for complex cases.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess, price and accept risks within delegated underwriting authority and internal guidelines.
• Deliver service standards/KPIs, maintaining underwriting discipline and supporting profitable portfolio growth.
• Escalate complex, unusual or non-standard risks appropriately for technical review.
• Manage day-to-day broker engagement for your portfolio, including face-to-face interaction when required.
• Contribute to retention, conversion and trading outcomes in line with wider team objectives.
• Work closely with senior underwriters and commercial stakeholders to align to trading priorities and underwriting standards.

Nature & Complexity of Work

• A portfolio of lower to moderate complexity across both new business and renewals.
• Use data, pricing tools and underwriting guidelines to make consistent decisions.
• Resolve standard underwriting issues independently, escalating more complex scenarios when specialist input is needed.

Impact & Stakeholder Management

• Direct impact on service delivery, broker experience and trading performance through accurate and timely underwriting decisions.
• Support broker relationships through regular interaction and responsiveness.
• Collaborate with internal commercial teams and senior underwriting colleagues to ensure best practice and alignment.

Knowledge & Experience

• Good working knowledge of commercial lines underwriting (risk assessment, pricing, portfolio management considerations).
• Experience managing a varied caseload and applying underwriting judgement within defined frameworks.
• Strong communication, relationship-building and organisational skills.
• Comfortable working independently while knowing when to seek support/escalate.
• Typically aligned to an underwriting licence/authority level in the mid-range (approximately level 2–4, depending on internal frameworks).

Skills & Attributes

• Analytical and problem-solving ability (from handling routine cases through to contributing to solutions for more complex challenges).
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Good prioritisation and time management in a fast-paced environment.
• Digital fluency across underwriting/pricing tools and wider business systems.
• Relevant underwriting experience (professional qualification and/or degree beneficial, depending on level).

Working Pattern & Benefits

• Hybrid working model (majority office-based time expected).
• Competitive benefits package, which may include: annual discretionary bonus, generous holiday allowance with buy/sell options, flexible benefits (wellbeing/financial/health), share/investment options, and structured career development/mentoring.
• Inclusive, flexible-working culture with a strong commitment to equal opportunity and workplace adjustments.