Assistant Underwriter
Renewal Connect Team | Leeds | Hybrid Working (3 Days Office / 2 Days Home)
Great starting salary + generous annual bonus + excellent benefits
Looking to build a long-term underwriting career with a business that genuinely develops its people?
At Markel, we're looking for an ambitious Assistant Underwriter to join our highly successful Renewal Connect team in Leeds.
This is an outstanding opportunity for someone with commercial insurance experience who wants to strengthen their underwriting expertise, gain exposure to a wide range of specialist risks and build a long-term career within one of the market's most respected insurance businesses.
You'll join a supportive team with an excellent reputation for developing talent, where many team members have progressed into Underwriter and Senior Underwriter positions through structured development, funded qualifications and hands-on mentoring.
Why Join Markel?
At Markel, we know that great careers are built through investment in people.
You'll work alongside experienced underwriters in a collaborative environment that encourages learning, growth and progression. Whether your ambition is to become a Senior Underwriter, specialise in a particular line of business or explore wider opportunities across the organisation, we'll provide the support, training and development to help you get there.
This role offers exposure to a diverse portfolio including:
Professional & Management Risks
Charity and Not-for-Profit organisations
Social Welfare business
Commercial insurance risks across multiple underwriting platforms including Acturis, Websure and IDEAL
The Opportunity:
Working within our Renewal Connect team, you'll be responsible for managing a high-volume portfolio of commercial insurance renewals, supporting brokers and delivering exceptional underwriting service across a broad range of products and sectors.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys technical underwriting, thrives in a fast-paced environment and takes pride in delivering excellent service while managing multiple priorities effectively.
You'll be trusted to make underwriting decisions within your authority levels, build relationships with brokers and collaborate closely with colleagues across the wider business to retain and grow profitable business.
What You'll Be Doing:
Underwriting commercial renewal business within your authority limits
Managing a portfolio of renewals and mid-term adjustments
Delivering an excellent service experience for brokers
Reviewing risks and negotiating terms where appropriate
Retaining existing business and finding opportunities for cross-sell and upsell
Monitoring broker activity and providing insights to support performance improvements
Building strong relationships with brokers and internal partners
Prioritising and managing workflow queues to ensure service standards are achieved
Working collaboratively with technical underwriting teams across the business
Supporting projects and continuous improvement initiatives as required
What We're Looking For:
We're interested in hearing from candidates who have experience within commercial insurance underwriting or a closely aligned insurance environment and are looking to take the next step in their career.
You will ideally bring:
Essential
Commercial insurance experience
At least 6 months' underwriting or relevant insurance experience
Strong organisational and time management skills
Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities
High levels of accuracy and attention to detail
Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
Strong IT and Microsoft Office skills
Desirable
Acturis experience
Renewals underwriting experience
Exposure to charity, social welfare or not-for-profit risks
Progress towards CII qualifications
Experience working across multiple underwriting platforms
Career Development & Qualifications
One of the biggest attractions of this role is the development opportunity…