Why work with Assurant?

When you join Assurant, you will be part of a community that cares. A diverse and supportive team culture will see you challenge yourself and motivate you to think out of the box.

We come from a variety of countries, cultures, and backgrounds, but we are united by our enduring values of common sense, common decency, uncommon thinking, and uncommon results.

So, connect with us. Bring us your best work and your brightest ideas, and we’ll bring you a place where you can thrive.

Some of the benefits we offer to our team members are:

• Development programs and study grants and support for higher education
• Cultural day off to celebrate what’s important to you
• International and local mentoring programs
• Diversity panels and employee resource groups
• Hybrid work model – 3 days in office, 2 days from home
• 2 mental health recharge days per year
• Annual health & wellbeing allowance to contribute to your overall wellbeing
• Volunteering opportunities to give back to a cause that is important to you

What’s the role about?

As the Lead Underwriter for New Zealand, based in Auckland, you will oversee the underwriting process for our local team, ensuring robust risk assessments and accurate pricing across a diverse portfolio of insurance products. The Lead Underwriter plays a pivotal role in driving profitable growth, executing our strategic objectives, and maintaining Assurant’s reputation for underwriting excellence.

This position covers Motor, Motorcycle, Classic Vehicle, Mechanical Breakdown (Extended Warranty), and Financial & Credit Insurance products in New Zealand.

Your day-to-day will include:

• Evaluate and analyze client risks to support informed decision-making.
• Review and provide terms/pricing for complex risks outside standard acceptance criteria across all products.
• Monitor portfolio performance, business mix, regulatory risk, and competitor movements; recommend underwriting and pricing actions.
• Support pricing actuaries on scheduled rate reviews by liaising with Business Development, Business Intelligence, and local management.
• Review individual dealer performance and provide underwriting recommendations to manage profitability at the dealership level.
• Assist with basic rate reviews, raters’ updates, and pricing model refresh when requested.
• Deliver underwriting training to the wider team, ensuring alignment with global policy, regulatory requirements, and market trends.
• Manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including Business Development Managers, Operations, IT, external consultants, and partners.

About you

• Bachelor’s degree or postgraduate qualification in a quantitative field (e.g., Mathematics, Actuarial Science, Statistics, Engineering).
• Minimum five years’ experience in Motor Underwriting, with strong commercial acumen and a deep understanding of the general insurance industry.
• ANZIIF member or equivalent professional designation (preferred).
• Demonstrable knowledge of underwriting philosophy, techniques, regulations, and guidelines.
• Proven ability to analyze situations, influence stakeholders, and negotiate win-win outcomes.
• Strong relationship-building skills, both internally and externally.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, including with remote teams.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in identifying and implementing process improvements.
• Keen to stay up to date with the latest technology, including leveraging AI tools to perform analysis work.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.

To apply

Please submit your resume accompanied by a cover letter detailing your suitability for the role. Don't miss your opportunity to be part of this successful team, apply now!

The successful applicant will be subject to relevant background checks such as reference checks and a Ministry of Justice Criminal Record Check.

At Assurant, we celebrate the differences that make us who we are. By assembling extraordinary teams from a variety of races, religions, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, experiences, and abilities, we’re able to better reflect the global communities where we live and work. By working to remove barriers, we ensure equity for everyone. The pursuit of inclusion rests with each of us. Because it’s only by listening to and representing the unique voices of every individual that we can innovate for all.

For further information about Assurant, please visit our website: https://www.assurant.com/