Markel International
Underwriting & Governance Analyst
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Underwriting & Governance Analyst
Underwriting & Governance Analyst (Underwriting Enablement Team Lead)
Location: Leeds (Preferred) | Manchester | Birmingham Working Arrangement: Hybrid Working – 3 days in the office, 2 days from home
Shape the Future of Underwriting Governance at Markel
At Markel, we believe insurance isn’t just about policies and paperwork. It’s about empowering people with confidence and supporting businesses when they need it most. As we expand our underwriting function, we’re creating an exciting role for an ambitious professional to join as Underwriting & Governance Analyst (Underwriting Enablement Team Lead).
This isn’t a standard governance position. We need someone who excels in technical underwriting while also guiding a new team and developing successful operational processes. This hybrid role combines governance expertise, hands-on technical support, stakeholder engagement, and leadership.
For those seeking impactful influence, opportunities to shape business operations, and mentoring career growth, this could be your next step.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Underwriting Director, you’ll provide strategic support across underwriting leadership by enforcing sound governance, regulatory alignment, underwriting controls, and operational efficiency.
Key responsibilities include ensuring solid frameworks keep underwriting running smoothly, while also building and leading a new team that assists Product, Pricing, and Underwriting leaders across Markel UK.
This role offers high visibility and continued influence over the team’s future development.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Underwriting & Governance
- Maintain rigorous underwriting governance standards across the business
- Review and approve non-standard endorsements on behalf of management
- Support underwriting control functions, delegated authority frameworks, and governance processes
- Monitor strict adherence to underwriting guidelines and revised protocols
- Implement legal and regulatory changes across the board
- Analyse underwriting data and governance-related reports for actionable insights
- Collaborate closely with Product Line Leaders and senior leadership
- Champion projects focused on governance, reinsurance strategy, and operational excellence to enhance profitability and meet regulatory needs
- Act as the principal governance and technical underwriting contact for day-to-day queries
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Team Leadership
- Lead, coach, and develop the Underwriting Enablement Team
- Offer mentorship, support, and performance guidance
- Distribute, prioritise, and streamline workload delivery
- Establish processes, job structures, and scalable operational models for the emerging team
- Define the team’s strategic direction and help it grow with new challenges and demands
Business Partnership & Collaboration
- Build deep relationships with Underwriting Product Leaders, Pricing teams, and senior executives
- Drive continuous improvement and operational efficiencies
- Align underwriting priorities with governance goals to ensure excellence
- Foster knowledge-sharing and adherence to underwriting best practices
Requirements
We are open to candidates from diverse insurance backgrounds, but here are our key considerations:
- Significant technical underwriting experience, ideally in niche areas like financial lines, liability, or commercial insurance
- Comprehensive knowledge of governance and regulatory requirements within underwriting
- Experience with underwriting controls, delegated authority frameworks, or compliance roles is highly valuable
- Demonstrated stakeholder management and clear communication with diverse groups (including leadership, regulatory bodies, internal teams)
- Strong analytical ability, problem-solving skills, and meticulous ** organisational skills**
- Experience mentoring, coaching, or leading others
- ACII qualification (or progressing towards completion) considered an asset
- Proactive mindset, driven by process improvement and an interest in using technology/AI to optimise operations
- Preferred product specialties: Financial Lines, Liability, Commercial Insurance (though we prioritise leadership potential over specific product expertise)
Why This Role?
- Leadership Opportunity: Shape and develop a brand-new team from the ground up
- Balanced Expertise: Merge technical underwriting skills with growing leadership responsibilities
- High Visibility: Work closely with senior managers and product teams
- Broad Exposure: Gain insight into Product, Pricing, and Underwriting functions to learn holistic business dynamics
- Influence: Help raise underwriting standards and operational excellence across Markel UK
- Career Growth: Pathway for significant leadership potential in governance excellence
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Why Markel?
At Markel, we take pride in our people-first culture. We combine the challenge and opportunity of a global specialist insurer with the warmth and collaboration of a supportive team. Here, autonomy is encouraged, innovation is rewarded, and individual careers thrive.
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary aligned with experience and marketplace benchmarks
- Annual bonus opportunity
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holiday entitlements
- Option to buy and sell accumulated annual leave
- Comprehensive benefits package including private medical and dental cover
- An attractive company pension scheme
- Life assurance and income protection considerations
- Travel insurance provision
- Fully funded CII qualifications
- Dedicated focus on ongoing career development and opportunities for progression
- Work in a flexible, inclusive, and supportive environment
Equal Opportunities Promise
Markel is committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Your background—experiences and talents should align with this role's requirements regardless of differences in identity or circumstance.
We are an equal opportunity employer and reject discrimination based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender/gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital/family status, veteran/history, or disability status.
Reasonable accommodations are available upon request for sourcing or interview processes. Please contact rec@markel.com or phone 0161 507 5827 to discuss accessibility needs. Applications can also be submitted offline as needed.
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