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Role Summary and Purpose

The Underwriting Manager reports directly to the Branch Manager for the region.  

The role of the Underwriting Manager is to support Regional Portfolio Underwriting Manager in the development of underwriting teams to build technical excellence, ensure the Arch underwriting and pricing strategies are applied and evidenced appropriately and ensure profit and income targets are achieved.

The Underwriting Manager will act as the key referral point within a branch in those instances where a Regional Portfolio Underwriting Manager is not based within that specific branch.

A key requirement of the role is to provide branch underwriting leadership and ensure underwriters are empowered to make decisions within the limits of their underwriting authorities and ensure a cohesive and collaborative environment is supported at all levels of the UK regional business.

The role will contribute towards the development of business plans and business development activities as appropriate.

Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills are required to build both internal relationships within the broader Arch Insurance group and within the regional broker community.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Technical Skills and Expertise

Responsibilities include:

• Working at the direction of the Regional Portfolio Underwriting Managers and Branch Managers to maximise new business gains and renewal retention and deliver to plan
• Working closely with Strategy & Distribution Team to support the development of strategic business partnerships
• Acting as the ultimate referral point in a branch (without Regional Portfolio Underwriting Managers in residence) for technical underwriting decisions to determine the desirability of accepting or rejecting risks (within appetite) and ensuring exposures are priced appropriately
• Developing solutions for complex underwriting problems within authority and risk appetite, coordinating required underwriting follow-up actions
• Establishing strong relationships with underwriters to ensure a mutual understanding of Arch underwriting philosophy
• Ensuring underwriting activities are executed within individual authorities, aligned to individual underwriter abilities and decisions evidenced by appropriate diligence and supporting rationales
• Regularly engaging with underwriters to develop, mentor, motivate and empower them
• Developing and maintaining strong relationships with brokers in the region to generate new business opportunities and support the sales initiatives of the Broker Relationship Development community
• Ensuring the highest level of customer satisfaction while meeting production and business goals
• Contributing to the development and implementation of continuous improvement initiatives
• Assisting to ensure that appropriate underwriting governance and controls are in place and underwriting documentation is maintained to meet internal quality control and external regulatory and legal needs
• Demonstrating an understanding of regulatory and compliance processes and actively participate in relevant governance committees

Leadership Skills

• Ability to provide leadership, develop and mentor branch underwriters
• Strong analysis skills with the ability to interpret complex data sets and effectively communicate technical decisions and the underlying rationale to others
• Ability to work in a cohesive manner as part of a team spanning different functions and/or geographies
• Ability to balance multiple priorities, organise work and meet deadlines

Role Requirements & Skills

Skills / Competencies

• High level of commercial insurance knowledge and strong technical underwriting skills
• Knowledge of regional Brokers and market conditions
• Capacity to contribute towards business planning and strategy development
• Track record of building and influencing broker relationships
• Passionate people leader with the ability to develop cohesion and sense of purpose across different teams

Qualifications

• Minimum A level standard preferred
• Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) qualifications or University Degree (or similar) desirable but not essential for the role

Experience

Extensive underwriting knowledge in Property  / Casualty /awareness of  Motor trade and Fleet would be desirable

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