About Us

Avencia Consulting are partnered with a leading insurer of title and property-related risks to recruit an Underwriting Assistant in their Leeds office.

They underwrite high net worth commercial legal indemnity risks, negotiating and maximising business profitability by means of effective and flexible underwriting decision and techniques. They have significant limits and authority on cases of technical complexity and increase sales through developing relationships with new and existing clients, solicitors and brokers.

Purpose

To underwrite residential and commercial cases under the direction of a more senior underwriter to ensure that new business is secured whilst providing a consistently high level of service all the while increasing underwriting and technical knowledge.

Key Responsibilities

• 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 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

Personal Qualities

• Strong degree (minimum/expected 2:1) /legal/insurance/property professional qualification desirable
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to liaise at all levels
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills
• Exceptional attention to detail and delivery focus
• Proactively plans and organises work, clearly identifying priorities to meet objectives
• 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