Underwriter

Who are we?

Howden is a collective – a group of talented and passionate people all around the world. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of insurance. We are united by a shared passion and no-limits mindset, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 18,000 employees spanning over 100 countries.

People join Howden for many different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. It’s what sets us apart, and the reason our employees have been turning down headhunters for years. Whatever your priorities – work / life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering – you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.

Role Definition

To act as an underwriter responsible for underwriting business associated to the Social Care Sector in accordance with the binding authority issued by DUAL Oliva and the insurers that support the Sector. Cultivate business through excellent broker development and maintain strong internal and external relationships. Act as a support and a referral point to  Assistant Underwriters in the team.

Key Responsibilities / Accountabilities

• Generate and underwrite both New & Renewal business in accordance with the shared business plan and profile of target insurance business set by DUAL Oliva and in accordance with the binding authority granted to the company.

• To work with the existing broker panel to forge relationships and trust and extend the panel to include new brokers where appropriate.

• To produce and maintain underwriting files for both internal and external viewing and to prepare for audit. This could involve both paper and computerised records.

• To generate profit for DUAL Oliva through the company’s strategic objectives.

• Resolving any outstanding underwriting related tasks/matters in a timely and efficient matter to enable support functions, including claims, finance and compliance to fulfil their responsibilities with the minimal impact/issues.

• To successfully quote new business, assessing risks and underwriting from a cover and rating basis within risk appetite; providing contract certainty, territories, underwriting performance, limits of liability.

• To successfully input quotations and issue certificates competently on the required underwriting platform, managing issues associated with the platform.

• Work with the underwriter’s system to produce certificates, policy wordings and bordereaux. 

• To develop an effective annual business activity planning process with our brokers and have a good knowledge of DUAL Oliva’s overall business plans, processes and key contacts. 

• To be aware of cross sell opportunities and promote DUAL’s underwriting products and services to brokers.

• To conduct broker research into business development opportunities thereby creating opportunities in the process.

• To maintain accurate and timely Management Information, monitoring the development of the broker’s account including credit performance and to communicate/feedback.

• To share ideas, best practice and other information within DUAL Oliva, especially where relevant to the relationship with brokers.

Skills and abilities needed to perform role

• Excellent interpersonal skills.

• Strong ability to influence and negotiate with brokers, underwriters and service providers.

• Analytical and creative thinker in meeting Underwriting needs whilst working in partnership with brokers.

• Ability to understand the needs of each Underwriting line on a portfolio basis.

• Self-motivated.

• Ability to empower and gain buy-in from others effectively.

• Committed to learning and development i.e. continual professional development.

• To work with confidence, embrace change, be inquisitive, resilient, imaginative and direct.

• Ability to work quickly, efficiently and methodically.

• Ability to communicate theories and ideas.

Knowledge and Experience

• Experience in the insurance industry with a broad range of experience in, policy work and preparation, basic accounts and claims.

• Sound product awareness with experience of underwriting Property & Casualty or Commercial Combined Business (preferably in this Sector).

Compliance & Regulatory Responsibilities

• To remain compliant with FCA requirements at all times.

• To acquire appropriate approvals to ensure compliance with company policy, procedures and regulatory requirements/rules, with regards to data protection, money laundering etc.

• Ability to share ideas, best practice and other information within the team.

Professional Qualifications

• Cert CII qualified.

• Preferably working towards a DIP CII qualification.

What do we offer in return?

A career that you define. At Howden, we value diversity – there is no one Howden type. Instead, we’re looking for individuals who share the same values as us:

• Our successes have all come from someone brave enough to try something new

• We support each other in the small everyday moments and the bigger challenges

• We are determined to make a positive difference at work and beyond

Reasonable adjustments

We're committed to providing reasonable accommodations at Howden to ensure that our positions align well with your needs.  Besides the usual adjustments such as software, IT, and office setups, we can also accommodate other changes such as flexible hours* or hybrid working*.

If you're excited by this role but have some doubts about whether it’s the right fit for you, send us your application – if your profile fits the role’s criteria, we will be in touch to assist in helping to get you set up with any reasonable adjustments you may require.

*Not all positions can accommodate changes to working hours or locations. Reach out to your Recruitment Partner if you want to know more.