QBE Insurance
Portfolio Manager – UK Construction & Engineering

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Primary Details
Time Type: Full time
Worker Type: Employee
Portfolio Manager – UK Construction & Engineering
Role Highlights
- London, with hybrid working
- Enhance your career in an exciting and ever-changing environment
The Opportunity
QBE's market leading UK Construction & Engineering business are recruiting a Portfolio Manager to lead our UK Construction & Engineering team.
This is a market-facing leadership role with responsibility for underwriting performance, portfolio strategy, business development and talent development across a highly skilled team of underwriters. Working closely with brokers, clients and internal stakeholders, you will drive profitable growth, strengthen our market position and ensure delivery against QBE's underwriting and financial objectives.
About QBE
At QBE, we get to the heart of what matters for our customers. And we do it all with a human touch.
We’re an international insurer with more than 13,000 people working across 26 countries – which means we’re big enough for your ambitions, yet small enough for you to make a real impact. It’s an exciting time. We’re building momentum towards our vision to become the most consistent and innovative risk partner.
What if you could have a positive impact – at work and in the world? As part of the QBE team, you’ll get to spend every day working with people who are passionate, talented and kind.
Your New Role
Portfolio Leadership & Strategy
- Develop and deliver the UK Construction & Engineering portfolio strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives and sustainable profitable growth.
- Monitor portfolio performance, market trends and emerging opportunities, taking action to optimise results and customer outcomes.
- Drive innovation and continuous improvement across underwriting, distribution and portfolio management activities.
Underwriting Leadership
- Lead underwriting performance through technical expertise, portfolio oversight and disciplined risk selection.
- Ensure underwriting decisions align with appetite, authority frameworks and portfolio objectives.
- Partner with Pricing, Portfolio Management, Risk Solutions and Claims teams to enhance portfolio performance and profitability.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt 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.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
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.
People Leadership
- Lead, coach and develop a high-performing underwriting team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
- Ensure team capability, succession planning and resource requirements support current and future business needs.
Broker & Market Engagement
- Build and maintain relationships with key brokers, clients and trading partners to support retention, growth and new business opportunities.
- Represent QBE in the market, enhancing our reputation as a leading Construction & Engineering insurer through visible leadership and industry engagement.
Governance & Risk Management
- Maintain compliance with legal, regulatory and internal governance requirements, ensuring effective portfolio oversight and risk management.
- Champion a culture of risk awareness, compliance and adherence to QBE underwriting standards.
About You
- Significant Construction & Engineering underwriting experience with a proven understanding of the UK market.
- Established broker and client network within the Construction & Engineering sector.
- Demonstrated success in developing and delivering portfolio strategies that drive profitable growth.
- Commercial, financial and analytical capability, with experience using data and market insights to support underwriting decisions.
- Experience managing underwriting portfolios across varying market conditions, pricing cycles and risk environments.
- Proven ability to lead, develop and motivate high-performing underwriting teams.
Benefits
We offer a range of benefits to help provide holistic support for your work life, whatever your circumstances. As a QBE employee you will have access to and benefit from:


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- 30 days holiday a year with the option to buy up to 2 additional days.
- Flexible working - balancing work and life is important so our flexible working opportunities are open to all, this can include part-time, job share and compressed hours.
- Pension – you are automatically enrolled into the QBE pension plan, which entitles you to receive employer contributions of 10% of your basic salary.
To learn more about benefits of working with us, click Rewarding our people - QBE European Operations
Awards & Recognition
We value our employee’s experience with us and are proud to have been recognised for the following awards:
- Insurance Post British Insurance Awards 2025:
- Winner: Commercial Lines Insurer of the Year
- Winner: Reinsurer of the Year - QBE Re
- Winner: ESG, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative of the Year
- Winner: Insurance Personality of the Year - Chris Wallace, Executive Director UK insurance
To learn more about our achievements, click here
Apply now and let’s make it happen!
If you’re looking for a career that combines your expertise and your empathy, click Apply today.
Your career. At the heart of it.
Skills:
- Analytical Thinking
- Business Management
- Coaching for success
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Influencing
- Insurance Underwriting
- Intentional collaboration
- Managing performance
- Navigating ambiguity
- Policy Development
- Risk Management
- Stakeholder Management
- Strategic Thinking
- Team Management
How to Apply:
To submit your application, click "Apply" and follow the step by step process.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
QBE is an equal opportunity employer and is required to comply with equal employment opportunity legislation in each jurisdiction it operates.
“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.”
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