Job Description

We're currently looking to further grow the Manchester commercial team and bring to market a great opportunity to join us as a New Business Senior Underwriter in Property and Casualty.

The New Business Senior Underwriter plays a critical role in managing the profitability and income of the branch, owning the financial results for designated accounts and brokers. The role demands a high level of influence on the Underwriting team, increasing the ability to collaborate with a range of stakeholders and developing the technical and trading capability of the branch.

The role encompasses many opportunities to contribute to the development and success of the team, not just from a growth and profitability perspective but driving service excellence to our customers. Ensuring close collaboration is supported internally across the teams will be an important focus area, as this will enable the team to be set up for success, by engaging and building key relationships with the brokers and stakeholders.

What you'll be doing:

• Act as the face of AXA in presenting propositions for larger Mid-Market and Mid-Corporate risks, based on industry knowledge and technical underwriting expertise, subject to the scale and complexity of the case.


• Work with Trading Underwriters to negotiate coverage, wordings and pricing that differentiate AXA to meet customer needs.


• Proactively develop a robust pipeline of Mid-Market and Mid-Corporate qualified growth opportunities leveraging both client and broker relationships, ensuring pipeline is effectively managed and realised.


• Lead and fully embed the large case management process for new business.


• Develop and build collaborative broker relationships, sometimes client, across the Region, taking full ownership for the generation and placement of profitable commercial business from self-sourced.


• Underwrite profitable new business, in line with AXA established underwriting controls and practices and act as a referral point in branch across New Business and, at times, renewals.


• Develop and maintain a quality distribution strategy and communication plan with key influential brokers to ensure financial KPIs achieved.


Although the role has no Direct reports, the Senior Underwriter plays a key role in developing and supporting the performance of the team Underwriters.

At AXA we work smart, empowering our people to balance their time between home and the office in a way that works best for them, their team and our customers. You'll work at least 40% of your week away from home, either at one of our office locations, visiting clients or attending industry events., We acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional efforts of our people in protecting what matters most to our customers. In exchange we offer a series of core and supporting benefits designed to empower our people to thrive both professionally and personally., We believe in hiring people who possess the appropriate skills and values that align with our vision. Our selection process is fair and equitable, ensuring that all candidates have an equal opportunity to join us. We are dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion, and we actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we take pride in treating our employees and potential hires with respect and without discrimination based on any Protected Characteristics., AXA UK are recognised as a Disability Confident Leader. We actively encourage applications from people who face barriers in the workplace due to a disability or long-term health condition. We participate in the Disability Confident 'Offer of Interview' scheme. This means a fair and proportionate number of candidates with long-term health conditions or disabilities who meet the essential criteria of a job, will be offered an interview.

• You'll need to show you meet the essential criteria as detailed in the job advert or job description


• You don't need to share the details of your long term health condition or disability for your application to be considered under this scheme


As part of your application, you'll be asked if you would like to 'opt in'. To ensure ease of access, every job advert lists a responsible Talent Acquisition contact, who'll be able to connect you with our Accessibility Concierge if you require any support.

Screening & Conduct

As a regulated financial services company, all successful candidates will be subject to pre-employment checks. Additionally, adherence to the Prudential Regulation Authority's (PRA) Insurance Conduct Standards and the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) Conduct Rules will be required., This depends on the location of the role, and what works best for you and the interviewer. We'll give you all the information you need to prepare for whichever format's used for your interview.

I'm struggling to connect to my online interview, what should I do?

Don't worry, we know these things happen. Get in touch with the person who arranged your interview, or the Talent Acquisition contact. One of the team will be able to help get the interview started or re-arrange it for a different time.

How do I get feedback on my interview?

Whenever possible, we'll call and provide feedback by phone. Sometimes, we'll need to provide feedback by email.

How can I prepare for my interview?

We'll send a candidate preparation pack before the interview to help you prepare.


• Progress towards Dip CII qualification desirable or equivalent experience.


• Technical underwriting expertise in a commercial insurance environment.


• Sound understanding of insurance market and processes across commercial lines insurance operations.


• Excellent interpersonal skills, through written and verbal communication skills.


• Proven experience in decision making on a wide range of technical underwriting scenarios within a Commercial environment.


• Coaching and development skills within in a similar environment and experience of working in teams and successful record of delivering results.


• Strong trading capability - commercial awareness, negotiation skills, ability to build strong broker relationships.


• Pragmatic decision maker with good analytical and numerical reasoning skills.


• Strong analytical skills with proven experience of account monitoring and action planning.


• Excellent risk assessment and risk management skills.


This position has been defined as an Insurance Distribution Directive (IDD) role under the IDD regime which means that in addition to pre-employment screening checks, the successful candidate will be subject to background screening every 4 years with an annual declaration in interim years.

At AXA Commercial, we support our business customers, large and small, by making it easy for them to do business with us in the way that suits them. Whether they insure with us via brokers, directly on the phone or online through comparison sites, we've got them covered.

Building on our success, a key initiative for the future of AXA Commercial is enhancing our current teams with experienced, engaging, and forward-thinking Commercial Underwriters. These roles provide a fantastic opportunity for you to build key foundations and shape the narrative, that will provide AXA the exposure and scope required for growth., AXA Commercial protects businesses, from multinationals to micro start-ups, giving them the confidence to thrive. We're currently making our biggest ever investment to develop the expertise and skills we need to be the best. We're a vibrant community where everyone is supported to learn, develop, and take ownership of their work., At AXA we have a culture of trust, respect and care, where everyone belongs. We have an ambition to become one of the most inspiring companies to work for, as such we're committed to supporting employee needs, providing meaningful career development, and celebrating differences. We all have a role to play in ensuring a working environment in which everyone, regardless of who they are, can reach their true potential., At AXA we're committed to offering a fair and inclusive experience to all candidates. You're encouraged to report, in good faith, any concerns of behaviour or processes believed to be inappropriate, unethical, or illegal.

Should you wish to report any concerns, you can do this through by sending an email to speak-up@axa.com, AXA's dedicated hotline. This service is managed by an independent investigation team. Please note that this email address is not for dealing with job or application related queries.
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One of the best things about joining AXA is our rewards package. At AXA UK, we're appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. You can expect to receive:

• Competitive annual salary dependent on experience


• Annual company & performance-based bonus


• Contributory pension scheme (up to 12% employer contributions)


• Life Assurance (up to 10 x annual salary)


• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays


• Opportunity to buy up to 5 extra days leave or sell up to 5 days leave


• AXA employee discounts


• Gym benefits, When will I hear back from you after my interview?


We aim to provide feedback as soon as the interview process allows. The time period will vary depending on the role.

How do I discuss the package I've been offered for a role?

You can discuss the package with your Talent Acquisition contact at offer stage.

Yay! I've got the role, what's next?

We'll carry out a number of background checks before you start. This is known as 'screening'.

Do you do any background checks?

Yes. All financial services companies, including AXA, are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Being part of a regulated industry means we must check the background of all applicants before we confirm a job offer.

Pre-employment screening is not just regulatory, it also gives us the confidence that our people are the right fit to protect what matters to customers, colleagues, and our business.

• Who is screened? Everyone, from first-jobbers to senior directors! Often, the higher up the career ladder you are, the more stringent the screening becomes.


• What is screened? Identity and address; qualifications; employment history; credit check; criminal record; directorships.


If you think anything may affect these checks, please tell us.

What benefits or perks do you offer?

At AXA, we appreciate the people who work for us and regularly review our rewards package to reflect that. The advert for the role you're interested in will detail what you can expect to receive, but you can see an overview of our benefits and perks on our Why Join Us page.

Does AXA offer car allowance or a company car?

This depends on the grade, role, and eligibility of the employee. Check the benefits listed on the ad for the role you're interested in or confirm with your recruitment contact.