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Head of Life Science Underwriting
Ready to step beyond underwriting and shape the future of a growing Life Science portfolio?
This is a rare opportunity for an accomplished Life Science Underwriter to step into a strategic leadership role within one of the market’s most successful specialist underwriting portfolios.
We’re looking for a technically strong, commercially minded underwriting leader who wants more than just case underwriting. This role offers the chance to influence strategy, drive portfolio growth, shape product development, and become the recognised market-facing expert for a rapidly expanding Life Science proposition.
If you’re currently operating as a Senior Underwriter, Technical Specialist or Portfolio Underwriter within life sciences and feel ready to take ownership of a business line, this could be the career-defining move you’ve been waiting for.
The Life Science portfolio currently generates approximately £8m GWP and has ambitious plans for significant growth over the coming years, with annual expansion targets exceeding 25% year-on-year.
As Head of Life Science Underwriting, you’ll be trusted to lead that growth journey by combining technical underwriting expertise with commercial leadership and market engagement.
This is not a traditional desk-based technical role. We’re seeking someone who enjoys being in front of brokers, identifying opportunities, influencing underwriting strategy and helping shape the direction of the portfolio.
You’ll be part of the Trading Leadership Team, working closely with both underwriting and technical leadership functions to deliver profitable, sustainable growth.
Key duties:
- Take ownership of the Life Science portfolio strategy and performance
- Deliver profitable growth across both new business and renewals
- Identify untapped opportunities within broker relationships and trading portfolios
- Challenge existing underwriting appetite and contribute to future strategy
- Help accelerate growth in a business with strong investment and leadership support
- Act as the face of the Life Science proposition externally
- Build relationships with key brokers across the UK market
- Unearth Life Science opportunities that may sit within broader commercial accounts
- Champion the proposition and clearly articulate appetite, capability and competitive strengths
- Become a trusted adviser to brokers on complex risks
- Serve as the technical lead for the Life Science product
- Provide guidance and referral support on complex and specialist risks
- Influence wordings, coverage enhancements and product development
- Contribute to rating strategy and underwriting performance optimisation
- Own underwriting authority and help shape future digital and online trading capability
- Coach and support underwriting teams across both new business and renewals
- Share technical expertise and market insight across the wider business
- Lead through credibility and influence rather than formal line management
- Act as a key contributor within a collaborative matrix structure
- Play an active role within the Trading Leadership Team
- Contribute to strategic decision-making and portfolio direction
- Partner with technical, underwriting and distribution leaders across the business
- Help define what market-leading Life Science underwriting looks like over the next decade
We’re interested in speaking with experienced Life Science Underwriters who combine technical excellence with a commercial mindset.
To be considered you must have proven Life Science underwriting experience combined with the ability to develop broker relationships and win business.
You must have a desire for portfolio growth and trading-led underwriting with the confidence to challenge, influence and lead without direct authority.
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