Senior Underwriter

About us

HSB (UK and Ireland) , is a leading specialist provider of engineering, technology and structural warranty insurance solutions, plant and equipment inspection services, and engineering-based risk management activities in the UK and Ireland.

HSB (UK and Ireland) consists of the parent company HSB Engineering Insurance Limited (HSBEIL) together with its two UK subsidiaries, HSB Engineering Inspection Services Limited (HSBEISL); and a regulated MGA, MD Insurance Services Limited (MDIS), which trades as Premier Guarantee or LABC Warranty.

Collectively HSB is the UK and Ireland’s only group of companies solely focused on providing specialist engineering and technology insurance solutions and risk focused inspection services and assessments to its customers.

Please see our website for more information.

Job title

Senior Underwriter

Location

Hybrid

Division

MD Insurance Services Ltd

Reporting to

Underwriting Manager

Job Purpose

To lead the underwriting of complex and high-value latent defects risks across residential and mixed-use construction projects. The Senior Underwriter plays a key role in risk assessment, pricing, technical evaluation, and broker engagement, ensuring the profitable growth of the latent defects portfolio in line with underwriting appetite and company standards.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Underwriting

• Effective risk selection and acceptance for new business applications, including complex latent defects risks, including large-scale residential developments, high-rise buildings, and mixed-use projects.
• Evaluate technical risk factors such as construction methodology, design complexity, structural integrity, and contractor experience.
• Review and interpret financial information and building technical reports, technical surveys, planning and building control documents.

Risk Assessment & Pricing

• Assess risk exposures and determine appropriate pricing and coverage terms within delegated authority.
• Make recommendations for referral cases outside personal authority limits.

Portfolio Management

• Monitor performance of the latent defects book and identify trends or emerging risks.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of underwriting guidelines, pricing models, and policy wording.

Broker and Client Engagement

• Act as a senior point of contact for brokers, developers, and key clients.
• Build and maintain strong relationships to support new business.
• Attend client meetings, broker presentations, and occasionally conduct site visits.

Team Mentoring and Leadership

• Support Underwriters and Assistant Underwriters through coaching, peer reviews, and technical guidance.
• Lead by example in professionalism, technical accuracy, and risk awareness.
• Contribute to training and onboarding of new underwriting staff.

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with internal underwriting standards, authority limits, and external regulatory requirements (e.g., FCA, PRA).

Skills & Experience

• Extensive underwriting expertise within the construction, property, insurance sector, demonstrating a strong understanding of the technical and commercial aspects involved.
• Ability to analyse complex risk profiles, including detailed review of technical reports, building specifications, and contractor credentials to determine underwriting terms and conditions.
• Excellent decision-making and risk management capabilities, balancing commercial objectives with prudent risk selection to optimise portfolio performance.
• Strong communication skills to present risk assessments, underwriting decisions, and technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong numerical accuracy to ensure precise premium calculations

Qualifications and Educational Requirements:

• Relevant professional qualifications such as Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) diplomas or equivalent underwriting certifications are desirable.

Personal Attributes

• Collaborative: Works well with teams, brokers, insurers, and technical experts to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Customer-focused: Understands client needs and builds strong professional relationships
• Decisive: Confident in making informed underwriting decisions, even under pressure.
• Detail-oriented: Meticulous attention to detail to ensure accuracy in risk analysis and documentation
• Communicative: Clear and effective in both written and verbal communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At HSB, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion foster innovation and resilience and enable us to act braver and better. Embracing the power of DEI is at the core of who we are. We recognise diversity can be multi-dimensional, intersectional, and complex, so we want to build a diverse workforce that includes a wide range of racial, ethnic, sexual, and gender identities; economic and geographic backgrounds; physical abilities; ages; life, school, and career experiences; and political, religious, and personal beliefs. Additionally, we are committed to building an equitable and inclusive work environment where this diversity is celebrated, valued, and has equitable opportunities to succeed.

All candidates in consideration for any role can request a reasonable adjustment at any point in our recruitment process. You can request an adjustment by speaking to your Talent Acquisition contact.

Benefits

• 25 days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays + Well-being days
• Up to 13% Pension contribution
• Eligibility for an Annual Bonus
• Private Medical & Dental
• Life Assurance
• Wellbeing and Development Scheme + EAP + Health Assessments (subject to scheme eligibility)
• Study & continuing Professional Development Support
• Hybrid Working