Household Underwriting Manager recruitment

The Role:
This is a unique and exciting opportunity for the right individual to make a real impact by leading the Household business to achieve its ambitious targets for 2012 and beyond. You will be responsible for the profitable expansion of the Household account and the attainment of the agreed operating result through the insurance cycle by:

- The development, execution and maintenance of a robust and dynamic underwriting, product and pricing strategy for Household
- The development of a balanced business portfolio through successful product and pricing development aligned to agreed risk appetite targets and underwriting strategy.
- Building an environment that supports the effective motivation and development of the underwriting team to create a centre of excellence on underwriting issues within Household
- Managing the underwriting performance of our third party customer contact centre.

Key Responsibilities:
- Lead, motivate and develop the underwriting teams to deliver underwriting excellence within Direct Household
- Define, develop and launch all new product development and product enhancements within Household including channel or segment specific products variations
- Take responsibility for all aspects of product design, development and maintenance including product eligibility, covers, scope, pricing/pricing structures, documentation, and oversee creation of product specifications for the system
- Ensure that all aspects of product, pricing and underwriting conform to general compliance, governance and TCF principles
- Accountable for the production and maintenance of policy wordings, pricing and underwriting guides
- Accountable for effective portfolio management across Household to deliver planned profitable growth over both short and long term
- Ensure that the key risks associated within product, pricing and underwriting are identified, fully considered and addressed in a controlled manner, ensuring that corrective actions are taken swiftly
- Ensure a thorough, in-depth and up to date understanding of the insurance market including: profitability dynamics, customer buying triggers, key competitor underwriting and product management strategies competitor pricing
- Work closely with the pricing team to develop, maintain a robust and dynamic pricing strategy
- Working closely with the marketing team to ensure that all documentation and campaigns are technically correct.
- Develop an environment that supports the effective management, motivation and development of our third party customer contact centre including the development of a technical training programme
- Manage, lead or participate in a variety of business projects to help deliver the business objectives
Person Specification - Solid macro underwriting experience gained in personal lines in the Direct channel, ideally within household insurance
- A deep understanding of the UK general insurance market and of distribution trends
- Ability to demonstrate success in growing a book profitably
- Proven track record in the successful portfolio management of an account
- Ability to develop a thorough technical underwriting and pricing knowledge and then make accurate, clear business decisions
- Ability to lead, motivate and develop a virtual team across a matrix structure in order to achieve business results
- Detail orientated and able to make sound business judgements
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships at all levels
- Good communication skills, both verbal and written, and the ability to explain complex underwriting and pricing concepts in plain English
- Experience of project management
- Drive, energy, and a common sense and collaborative approach
- A degree/business qualification preferred, however this is not essential for an experienced individual