Head of Underwriting- Zurich Municipal

Working hours: This role is available on a part-time, job-share or full-time basis.

Location: We're flexible on where you are based, however, there will be regular travel to Farnborough

Closing date for applications: 23rd September 2025

The Opportunity

Ready for a new challenge? 

Do you want to make a real difference in a key underwriting leadership role? This role reports directly to the Managing Director of Zurich Municipal & Engineering and forms part of the UK Underwriting Leadership Team.

We’re looking for a leader who can turn technical knowledge into business strategy. Someone who can make decisions that deliver great results for our customers and our business. 

Zurich Municipal is a leading provider of insurance and risk management solutions for the public and voluntary sectors. Since 1993 we’ve insured charities, voluntary organisations, housing associations, and the education and public sectors, helping our customers better understand and reduce the risks they face. We provide insurance for organisations of all sizes across the UK, from insuring a large local authority to small community groups.

In this role, you’ll have significant underwriting authority and will be the go-to expert for complex decisions. You’ll manage a diverse portfolio that spans multiple lines of business, markets, and levels of complexity. There is lots of exciting change happening in the business which means it’s a fast-paced and varied role, perfect for someone who thrives on challenge and enjoys driving continuous improvement. If you’re passionate about making underwriting processes better and more efficient, and delivering product innovation, this could be the role for you. 

Collaboration is key. You’ll work closely with teams across the organisation including Pricing, Reserving, Finance, Claims and Customer Distribution. You’ll also work with external partners to help us achieve our goals. The successful candidate will also help nurture talent to ensure we’re ready for the future.

This is a vital senior leadership role. This role offers a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact, not just within Zurich but also in the wider public & voluntary sectors. If you’re ready to take on this challenge and help us deliver exceptional results for our customers and team, we’d love to hear from you.

Many of our employees work flexibly in a variety of different ways, including part-time, flexible hours, job share, an element of working from home or compressed hours. This is because we want the best people for our roles, and we recognise that sometimes those people aren’t available full-time. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you may need.

Key Responsibilities:

As Head of Underwriting, you’ll: 

• Take the lead in managing our portfolio’s performance. Actively steer and manage it to get the best results through market ups and downs, delivering great outcomes for our customers. 
• Develop and oversee the underwriting strategy for Zurich Municipal. Make sure it drives success in the areas we’ve chosen to focus on. 
• Use your technical expertise, data analysis, and insights to make smart decisions for both individual cases and the overall portfolio. 
• Spot opportunities and risks early. Use data and insights to make informed, effective decisions. 
• Keep improving how we underwrite. Make processes, tools, and ways of working better for both underwriters and customers. 
• Stay flexible to meet customer needs, while keeping in line with market trends and our business goals. 
• Work closely with key teams across the business. Ensure our approach matches Zurich’s UK and Group underwriting appetites. 
• Lead a diverse team of experts. Build an inclusive and effective culture where everyone can thrive. 
• Be a role model and a key part of the Zurich Municipal & Engineering Leadership Team. 

In addition to the key business accountabilities, our ideal candidate will be an established people leader with the ability to drive a high-performance culture across the team, as well as take a pro-active and inclusive approach to talent management and succession planning. They will provide effective leadership, guidance and support to the team, with a focus on coaching and development.

This role is a Certification Regime role that is subject to Fitness & Propriety standards under the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SM&CR). The successful candidate will be offered the position subject to the successful completion of Regulatory Reference requirements.

What are we looking for:

We’re looking for a leader with underwriting expertise to guide a changing portfolio. The public and voluntary sectors are transforming. That’s why we need someone who can think differently and shape an effective strategy. If you’ve got experience in underwriting and a proven track record of leading change, we’d love to hear from you. 

To be successful and thrive in this role, we believe you’ll need to be a strong communicator with the ability to turn technical insights into clear actions. You’ll also need to influence and negotiate with senior internal and external stakeholders, and have advanced data, analysis, and problem-solving skills. Experience in both portfolio and case environments, as well as knowledge of different insurance products, would be a big plus. 

What will you get in return?

Everyone’s different. That’s why at Zurich; we offer a wide range of employee benefits so our people can choose what fits them and their life. Our benefits provide real flexibility so our people can make considered choices and tailor their benefits throughout the year. Our benefits include 12% defined non-contributory pension scheme, annual company bonus, private medical insurance and the option to buy up to an additional 20 days or sell some of your holiday.

Follow the link for more information about our benefits - Employee benefits | Working at Zurich Insurance UK

What happens next?

As an inclusive employer we want to ensure that all candidates feel comfortable and are able to perform at their best during the interview. You’ll have the opportunity to let us know of any reasonable adjustment or practical support needed when you apply.

Who we are:

At Zurich we aspire to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world and the best global insurer. Together we’re creating a brighter future for our customers, our people and our planet.

With over 55,000 employees in more than 170 countries, you’ll feel the support of being part of a strong and stable company who are a long-standing player in the insurance industry.

We’ve made a promise to each other and every employee; to focus on sustainable impact, to care about each other’s wellbeing, to use our diverse expertise to be curious and optimistic and to develop the skills needed for our future.

If you're interested in working in a dynamic and challenging environment for a company that recognises and rewards your creativity, initiatives and contributions - then Zurich could be just the place for you. Be part of something great.

Our Culture:

At Zurich, our sense of community is strong and we’re particularly passionate about diversity and inclusion, which we’ve won numerous awards for. We want our people to bring the whole of themselves to work and ensure everybody is made to feel welcome, regardless of their background, beliefs or culture. We want our employees to reflect the diversity of our customers and so are committed to treating all of our applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background, disability or any other protected characteristic.

We’ve an environment that places a real importance on our people’s wellbeing from a physical, mental, social and financial perspective. We work with our wellbeing partners and industry experts to provide the best advice and access to a wealth of lifestyle support. We’re also committed to continuous improvement, and we offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.

We’re passionate about supporting employees to help others by getting involved in volunteering, charitable and community activity. Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, is one of the longest-established corporate trusts in the UK. In that time, we’ve awarded grants and volunteered time to deserving causes in the UK valued at over £90 million.

So, make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported. Love what you do. Work for us.