Hannover Re
Head of Underwriting & Claims
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
The Role
The Head of Underwriting & Claims provides strategic, technical, and people leadership for HRUK’s UW&C department. Working closely with the wider Business Development teams and colleagues across the Hannover Re Group, the job holder shapes HRUK's underwriting and claims strategy, capabilities, and client proposition, helping ensure HRUK is a trusted and innovative partner in the UK protection market while delivering sustainable growth for the Branch.
The role is responsible for developing an engaged and high-performance team that combines technical excellence with commercial awareness and outstanding client service. The job holder sets clear direction, develops talent, and creates the energy and confidence needed to respond to the changing needs of HRUK and its clients.
The Head of Underwriting & Claims builds strong and trusted client relationships, ensuring HRUK is perceived as a trusted partner and is easy to do business with. They anticipate how the UK protection market is developing and translate changes in technology, data, regulation, distribution, and customer expectations into relevant services, improved capabilities, and value for clients and HRUK.
Duties & Responsibilities
Leadership and People Development
- Lead, inspire, and develop the UW&C team, building future capability and leadership succession while creating an inclusive and positive culture where everyone is motivated to perform at their best, contribute ideas, and continually develop.
- Set clear expectations for performance, accountability, and collaboration.
Business Development
- Work closely with Branch colleagues on client strategies, tenders, treaty implementations, propositions, and new business opportunities.
- Ensure that UW&C expertise supports commercially sound decisions and strengthens HRUK’s client proposition.
Market Engagement
- Build strong and trusted relationships with market stakeholders, developing a deep understanding of clients’ businesses and future needs.
- Ensure HRUK is perceived as a valued partner, easy to do business with, and committed to their success.
- Represent HRUK across the UK protection market, building the Branch's profile through industry engagement, client interaction, and thought leadership.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Strategy & Innovation
- Develop and deliver the UW&C plans to support sustainable growth.
- Embed the L&H and Group strategies and translate into clear priorities.
- Maintain a clear view of developments affecting UK protection, including medical advances, customer expectations, regulation, data, and technology.
- Translate these developments into innovative propositions, services, and capabilities for clients and HRUK.
Technical Leadership & Governance
- Shape and maintain HRUK's UW&C philosophies, policies, authorities, and operating practices.
- Provide senior technical judgment and challenge, identifying emerging risks and ensuring compliance with treaties, regulation, risk appetite, and Group standards.
Service Delivery
- Overall responsibility for the quality, consistency, and responsiveness of underwriting and claims services.
- Establish appropriate service standards and use client feedback to drive improvement.
Insight
- Utilise UW&C and other relevant MI to identify trends, emerging risks, and opportunities.
- Work with other Branch departments to turn technical evidence into clear and timely recommendations for clients and HRUK.
Continuous Improvement
- Lead improvements to services, processes, systems, and ways of working, constructively challenging established practices where necessary, adopting technology and automation to improve quality, efficiency, insight, and client experience.
Group Collaboration
- Work collaboratively across HRUK and the wider Hannover Re Group, bringing together technical, commercial, and research expertise and sharing.
About You
Qualifications Required
- ACII or equivalent qualification
Experience
- Minimum 15 years’ experience in Underwriting/Claims with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role
- Excellent knowledge of the UK life insurance market with strong stakeholder relationships
- Experience across underwriting & claims operations, philosophy, and research & development
Skills
- Team leadership and talent development
- Strategic thinking
- Commercial awareness
- Client relationship management
- Influencing and negotiation
- Communication and thought leadership
- Change and innovation leadership
- Analytical decision-making
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Person Specification
Communicating and Influencing
- Excellent negotiation skills and demonstrated capacity to influence decisions and manage relationships with key stakeholders.
- Adapts communication style depending on audience.
Problem Solving
- Ability to break down complex issues and identify trends, patterns, and interdependencies.
- Pragmatic approach to assessing risks when developing solutions.
Delivery and Accountability
- Accountable for individual and team deliveries to support the overall Branch objectives.
- Creates an environment where challenge is expected and encouraged and holds individuals accountable for same.
- Efficient and responsive, ensuring deadlines are met.
Client Focus
- Develops a deep understanding of the market and client’s needs to win and retain business and be recognized as a preferred business partner.
Team Player
- Focuses on building and maintaining a positive team culture and developing cross-functional relationships.
- Embraces diversity of thought, ideas, and skills to engage the team and deliver objectives.
- Continuously strives for process improvement.
Life at Hannover Re UK
Atmosphere
- Work in a global team that values innovation, agile decision-making, and mutual respect. We challenge convention, encourage open feedback, and foster a community where everyone’s voice matters.
Benefits
- From structured onboarding to a comprehensive range of benefits, we invest in your well-being every step of the way. Our offerings include health and wellness initiatives, personal and professional development opportunities, and a support system designed to help you thrive in all aspects of your growth and daily life.
Prospects
- Bring your expertise and curiosity – here, you'll have the space to drive change and own your ideas. We’ll keep you engaged with fresh challenges, mentorship, skill-building opportunities, and the freedom to shape your path.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London