Underwriting Assistant

Location: Leeds

Salary: £28,500 dependent on experience plus excellent benefits package and hybrid working opportunities

Reference: GP299

Our well known insurance based client has a fantastic opportunity for an Underwriting Assistant to join the Commercial Underwriting team based in Leeds. You will assist with the daily underwriting and processing of commercial and residential risks ensuring that new business is secured in addition to learning about the various risks and underwriting them effectively.

Your key responsibilities will include, reviewing/summarising files, gathering information for Underwriters and dealing with new enquiries and queries via the telephone and through written contact. You will be involved in checking policy wording, demonstrating an in-depth knowledge of policy coverage and be able to discuss this confidently with external and internal clients.

You will also need to ensure that systems are maintained and updated as required.

Importantly, you will develop and maintain excellent working relationships with key clients and brokers in the UK ensuring a consistently high level of service.

Underwriting is a combination of risk assessment, sales, commercial awareness and negotiation with clients; and is key to the success of the business. This is an excellent opportunity to grow your career within Underwriting. Their internal training programme will equip you with the knowledge and skills to progress your underwriting career. They also encourage employees to seek professional growth and development, therefore they sponsor individuals wishing to undertake professional qualifications through the Continuous Professional Development scheme.

Key Responsibilities will include:

·      Assist with the daily underwriting and processing of commercial and residential risks

·      Review and summarise files gathering information on cases for referral to more senior underwriters

·      Ensure policy wording is correct and demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of policy coverage and be able to discuss this confidently with external and internal clients

·      Deal with new enquiries and queries via telephone and in writing and adhere to service standards

·      Input, update and maintain data so systems accurately reflect current position

·      Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with clients and maintain high levels of service in order to maximise business and conversion rate

·      Work within prescribed objectives and procedures ensuring that all the requirements of department guidelines, service, regulatory and technical standards are met

·      Be proactive in considering the department’s processes and in highlighting the need for change/improvement

·      Understand external/internal clients’ needs and work with team to meet these needs

·      Achieve and maintain technical competence in accordance with company standards

·      Model and promote company values in all aspects of your daily work (Integrity, Commitment, Teamwork, Service and Leadership)

·      Undertake legal research, projects and other reasonable duties as assigned by line manager

·      Continually develop industry and marketplace knowledge

·      Travel including to other sites within the group is required

Adhere to Conduct Rules

You must:

·      Act with integrity

·      Act with due skill, care and diligence

·      Be open and co-operative with the FCA, the PRA and other regulators

·      Pay due regard to the interests of customers and treat them fairly

·      Observe proper standards of market conduct

·      Act to deliver good outcomes for retail customers

Profile:

To be successful, candidates should possess the following:-

·    A good degree (minimum 2:1) or a legal/insurance/property professional qualification or relevant experience

·    excellent communication skills with the ability to liaise at all levels

·    ability to develop business relationships

·    strong organisational and analytical skills

·    the ability to prioritise your workload often within tight deadlines whilst still maintaining a high attention to detail

·    flexibility in providing help and support for others and building good working relationships with your team colleagues

·    a positive, can-do approach Outstanding customer service skills and the ability to build strong business relationships with internal and external customers

·    Excellent negotiation skills

·    Takes personal responsibility for actions and decisions and takes the initiative to make things happen

·    Willingly provides help and support for others

·    Competent in using Microsoft office suite

·    Remains positive despite difficulty, disappointment and when under pressure

·    Builds rapport with colleagues, contributing to the effectiveness of the team and is a co-operative team member

·    Is open to change and demonstrates flexibility

·    Demonstrates a ‘can do’ attitude

·    Is aware of personal development needs and raises issues with manager to help improve effectiveness.

·    Takes on board comments about development needs and is always willing to learn

You will need to demonstrate an interest in a sales/client facing role, be comfortable in a commercial negotiating environment, have a strong desire to succeed and be willing and able to gain knowledge quickly in order to successfully analyse risks, devise commercially viable solutions and manage relationships.

Above all, to be successful in this role you need to show enthusiasm, drive and a positive working attitude. For this you will be rewarded with the opportunity for a very successful career within an expanding global company.

If you would like to apply for this role, please email a copy of your CV to kate.evans@graduateplanet.co.uk quoting reference number GP299 as soon as possible.

Thank you, we look forward to hearing from you