SME Schemes Portfolio Underwriting Manager

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 the need to travel to London or Croydon offices regularly, Hybrid 

Closing date for applications: 22nd July 2026

 #LI-Remote        

The opportunity:    

Are you ready for the next step in your career? If you have strong technical underwriting or portfolio management experience within Commercial Markets, this could be the ideal opportunity.

We’re seeking a Schemes Portfolio Underwriting Manager to help shape our underwriting appetite and build a balanced, profitable portfolio aligned with Zurich’s strategy. As a subject matter expert in property, casualty or both, you’ll guide teams in making high‑quality underwriting decisions and managing risk.

You’ll oversee the clarity and adequacy of third‑party policy wordings and underwriting guides, ensuring strong compliance, governance and customer protection. Your commercial acumen and understanding of niche and emerging risks will help us stay agile in a changing market.

You’ll also work closely with customers and brokers, strengthening Zurich’s position as a trusted, forward‑thinking partner and supporting sustainable growth across our Schemes portfolio. 

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.      

What will you be doing?

This role focuses on three key areas:

1. Leadership, Team Development & Direction Setting:

You’ll be part of a supportive and high‑performing team of portfolio analysts and underwriters. You’ll help communicate, embed and champion effective strategies, methodologies and behaviours across the wider underwriting community. Development matters to us — and you’ll play an important role in setting high standards, supporting growth and helping others reach their potential.

2. Technical Underwriting & Portfolio Oversight:

You’ll design, implement and lead robust underwriting, portfolio and product oversight frameworks across the Schemes portfolio. From ensuring strong underwriting discipline to understanding performance drivers and refining acceptance criteria, you’ll be central to driving continuous improvement and best‑practice underwriting.

3. Customer & Partner Engagement:

You’ll build meaningful relationships with key partners, ensuring we deliver positive outcomes and add real value. You’ll support the negotiation of new and existing delegated arrangements and work with a diverse mix of niche trades and risks. Flexibility, creativity and a solutions‑focused mindset will be crucial to helping our partners succeed.

What are we looking for?  

• Experience in portfolio management and underwriting within personal lines or commercial markets
• Strong authority and technical underwriting expertise in property, casualty or broader commercial lines
• Experience reviewing policy wordings and contributing to underwriting guides
• Understanding of delegated underwriting arrangements
• Commercial, market, financial risk and regulatory awareness
• Strong portfolio management skills
• Effective leadership, influencing and stakeholder management experience
• Excellent relationship‑building, communication and negotiation skills
• Ability to explain technical concepts clearly to non‑technical audiences
• Experience managing or delivering through a diverse stakeholder network
• Prior people management experience beneficial but not essential
• A solutions‑focused approach with strong delivery capability
• Advanced knowledge of commercial lines products
• Understanding of portfolio financial dynamics (e.g., expense allocation, return on capital)

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, alongside a range of other flexible benefits   

You can find out more about our wide range of employee benefits on our website.    

Who we are:      

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

With over 65,000 employees, you’ll feel the support of being part of a strong and stable company that is 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 where your creativity, ideas and contributions are recognised and rewarded, Zurich could be just the place for you. Be part of something great.   

Our culture:   

At Zurich, our strength comes from the diverse experiences, perspectives and talents of our people. Our goal is to create a workplace where every employee can flourish and where everyone feels valued, heard and respected.    

Over a quarter of our employees are members of at least one of our inclusion communities (Employee Resource Groups), with groups focused on areas such as social mobility and cultural awareness. We’re proud to have received numerous industry awards recognising our diversity and inclusion policies and initiatives.   

We’ve created an environment that places 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 practical advice and access to a wide range of lifestyle support, alongside opportunities to learn, grow and develop the skills needed for the future.   

We actively support our employees to give back to their communities through volunteering and charitable activity. Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, is one of the longest‑established corporate trusts in the UK. Together, we’ve supported causes across the UK through grants and volunteering, contributing over £100 million in funding and volunteered time.   

Your application:   

We’re committed to treating all applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background, sexual orientation, disability or any other protected characteristic.    

As an inclusive employer we also 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.    

We’d love it if you could submit your application online. If you require an alternative method of applying, please send an email to recruitment@uk.zurich.com   

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