Property 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 mind-set, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 15,000 employees spanning over 100 countries.

Our people are our biggest asset as well as our largest shareholder group and are everything that makes us unique; our inclusive culture, the quality service we offer our clients, and our continued growth, all come from our people-first approach. There’s no such thing as individual success. We all need to play our part, contributing our skills and experience to make a true difference. That’s Howden.

Why work at Howden?

We have always been employee-owned and driven by entrepreneurial spirit. Right from the beginning, we've focused on employing talented individuals and empowering them to make a real difference to the company, whilst building successful and fulfilling careers at the same time. Simply put, we hire talented specialists and give them what they need to make a difference for clients. Always have, always will.

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 disappointed head-hunters for years. Whatever your priorities – work/life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering – you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.

Job Purpose

• Negotiating with brokers, studying various insurance proposals by gathering and assessing background information in order to effectively underwrite the risk involved in line with company procedures and processes.
• Deal with new business enquiries within allocated authority level and in accordance with the company’s underwriting guide to enable objectives and targets to be achieved.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key brokers and clients and other relevant stakeholders.
• Magenta is a B2B chartered insurance underwriting agency specialising in writing residential non-standard or distressed risks; products include Home, MNW, Unoccupied, Renovation, Holiday Home and Let.

Key Results Area

• Demonstrate consistent professional and constructive communication at all times to help support a positive and collaborative working environment.
• Ensure contract certainty is achieved on all accounts at time of inception.
• Ensure accurate policy documentation issued to the broker or customer.
• Proactively support acquisition of new business.
• Positively represent magenta and partners externally to the market.
• Working towards set targets each month including profitability, GWP, conversion, quotes per day, turnaround times, workflow management, phone service.
• Following the underwriting and pricing knowledge and guidance from the Senior Mgt. Team to ensure that the company's underwriting performance commitments are met.
• Comply with the laws and regulations that apply to the insurance market including all key regulatory, conduct and risk management requirements and responsibilities.
• Utilise available actuarial information, other statistics and underwriting experience when considering acceptance, terms and premiums.
• Make effective decisions when dealing with presented cases, being able to justify underwriting decisions, keeping detailed and accurate records of policies and decisions made.
• Provide excellent customer service to forge strong relationships with brokers.
• To be the delegated Underwriter for agreed Brokers, offering a bespoke service where required.
• Undertake any required training to ensure the role can continue to be effectively carried out.

Skills and Competencies

• Underwriting experience and knowledge.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills both over the telephone and in writing.
• Problem Solving and an eye for detail.
• Computer literate and thorough understanding of the Trading Platform.
• The understanding to “think outside the box” and make commercial underwriting decisions.
• Able to work under pressure and in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills.
• Good market and competitor knowledge.
• Good understanding of TCF principles.
• Good understanding of CIDRA.

Qualifications

• A minimum of Cert CII is preferred.
• A-Level Standard Qualifications.

Technical Experience

• Good understanding of Residential Property Insurance.
• Good understanding of Property Insurance Sales and/or Underwriting.
• General Understanding of Property Insurance Claims.
• General Understanding of FCA GI Regulation.

Experience Required

• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in Property Underwriting or.
• A minimum of 1 years’ experience in non-standard property underwriting.

Who we’re looking for

At Howden we value diversity - there is no one Howden ‘personality 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.

What do we offer in return?

A career that you define.

Our business succeeds by allowing our people to make a mark in the areas they care about most: personal development, volunteering, and fundraising for charity, or creating new insurance products that address society’s greatest challenges.

And we know that separate home and work lives don't really exist. If you're happy and healthy at home, you're more likely to be happy and fulfilled at work – and vice versa. That's why we do our best to support our people in every aspect of their lives.

Diversity and Inclusion

At Howden, we consider our people our chief competitive advantage and as such we treat colleagues, candidates, clients, and business partners with equality, fairness, and respect – regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or family circumstances.

Our sustainability promise

We’re on a life-long journey to become an ever-more sustainable group. It's a commitment to taking care of our people and the world we live in, to doing good business, and to making a positive impact wherever we can. Our governance processes, company policies, and review systems are all geared towards our goal of making a positive impact in the world. You can read more about our sustainability work here.

Fixed Term Contract (Fixed Term)