Life Underwriter

Working Hours: This role is available on a part-time, job-share, or full-time basis. Full-time hours are 37.5 per week.

Location: We’re flexible—home-working contracts are available.     

The opportunity: 

We’re on an exciting journey of change and transformation. Our goal is to become the top Retail Protection provider for our advisers, customers, and colleagues. As we grow, we’re looking for passionate people to join our highly successful team of underwriters. We aim to provide a service that is valued by our advisers and customers, setting us apart in the industry.

As a Life Medical Underwriter, you’ll assess Life, Critical Illness, and/or Income Protection applications that don’t fit our online underwriting criteria. Your focus will be on making high-quality underwriting decisions quickly and efficiently.

You’ll also have opportunities to get involved in mentoring and developing trainees, specialist underwriting, continuous improvement activities, or acting as a strategic contact as you progress in your career. We provide various opportunities for you to develop your skills, including roles in our Large Case team, Underwriting Development team, Underwriting Quality/Retro team, or as a Team Leader.

We encourage our colleagues to challenge what we do so we can continuously improve. In return for your commitment to help us achieve our ambitions, we offer an outstanding place to work where you can thrive and grow in your career.

Many of our staff work flexibly, whether that’s part-time, flexible hours, job share, or full- or part-time homeworking. We want the best people for our roles and understand that sometimes they may not be available full-time. Please talk to us about the flexibility you need during the interview process.

What will you be doing? 

We’re looking for experienced medical underwriters who are passionate about providing exceptional service to join our UK retail protection team.

As a Life Medical Underwriter, you will:

• Make quality, timely decisions in line with the Zurich underwriting philosophy and frameworks, underwriting applications to a high standard
• Display excellent communication skills with a broad range of stakeholders, including customers and advisers
• Resolve positive decision challenges by clearly explaining the decisions made
• Train and support other team members, providing coaching where needed
• Help create a culture of continuous improvement
• Always act with integrity, demonstrating a positive, can-do attitude

What are we looking for?

• Someone with authority to underwrite protection products, including Life, Critical Illness, and/or Income Protection
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the confidence to explain decisions and negotiate outcomes
• Works well both in a team and individually, and be self-motivated
• Be customer-focused with excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Be highly detail-oriented with a proven track record of delivering quality results
• High attention to detail and a proven track record of delivering quality results
• Possess the appropriate IT skills

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

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.