Senior Development Underwriter - Mid-Market Retail Insurance - Birmingham

Senior Development Underwriter – Mid-Market Retail Insurance

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

Salary: Competitive package + company car

Location: Midlands / Birmingham

The opportunity:

Are you an accomplished underwriter with a passion for market growth and strategic leadership? Do you thrive on influencing the market, unlocking new opportunities, and shaping portfolios? At Zurich, we’re excited to announce a newly created Senior Development Underwriter position—offering the opportunity to champion our new business strategy and play a leading role in strengthening our position across the mid-market retail insurance sector.

As Senior Development Underwriter, you will drive Zurich’s growth agenda across our mid-market retail portfolios. This is a new and highly visible role, designed to accelerate business development and deliver strategic impact. You’ll combine deep technical expertise with commercial acumen, leading the origination, negotiation, and underwriting of complex risks. Your ability to develop relationships with brokers, clients, and market influencers will be key to growing Zurich’s business and reputation.

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 the interview about the flexibility you may need.

What will you be doing?

• Driving strategic growth: Lead the identification, development, and conversion of high-value mid-market retail insurance opportunities, positioning Zurich as an underwriter of choice.
• Market leadership: Build and leverage senior relationships with brokers, clients, and industry stakeholders to secure new business and enhance Zurich’s presence in target markets.
• Expert underwriting: Take ownership of complex, high-value risks—providing expert analysis, bespoke solutions, and profitable decision-making.
• Insight-led strategy: Monitor, interpret, and respond to market trends, competitor activity, and regulatory change—informing the development of market-leading propositions.
• Mentoring and collaboration: Coach and support regional teams, share specialist knowledge, and foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement to drive commercial success.

What are we looking for?

• Significant experience in mid-market retail insurance underwriting, with a strong track record of business development and portfolio growth.
• Advanced technical and analytical skills—confident in assessing and structuring complex risks.
• Proven ability to engage, influence, and negotiate with senior brokers, clients, and internal stakeholders.
• A strategic, commercially minded approach, with a focus on innovation and business results.
• Experience mentoring others or leading team development is highly desirable.

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.

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

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.

We’d love it if you could submit your application online. If you require an alternative method of applying, please send an email to [email protected]

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