Senior Underwriter

Roles and responsibilities

We are seeking a Senior Group Underwriter to join our team in Dubai. Within this role, you will be responsible for underwriting health, life and disability products for Allianz Partners large corporate clients. The role would be suited to an organised and highly analytical person who enjoys working at the centre of the business. The right candidate will be self-motivated and committed, with prior experience in an underwriting role, ideally employee benefits.

What you Do:

• Evaluate and issue quotes for large corporate insurance schemes in accordance with company underwriting guidelines, pricing methodologies and other relevant regulations.
• Gather and review background information in order to effectively assess risk.
• Analyse claims data and risk factors to forecast future claims levels and set insurance premiums.
• Collaborate with Sales and Relationship Management teams throughout contract renewals and tenders to reach target KPIs, while maintaining underwriting standards.
• Prepare and issue client utilisation reports, including commentary and explanation of observed trends and scheme performance.
• Act as a technical referral point for other areas of the business in relation to all Underwriting queries.
• Form own opinions on requests and make sound underwriting decisions, within authority limits.
• Take ownership of queries received within the team and deliver a quality service and response time to colleagues.
• Represent Underwriting team on strategic projects, as needed.
• Comply with company standards in respect of documentation and file management.
• Update and maintain work activity reports for Management.

What you Bring:

• Experience in Underwriting role – within employee benefits desirable.
• Strong problem solving, analytical skills and decision making ability.
• High attention to detail and accuracy is critical.
• 3rd level qualification in mathematics or other numerate area.
• Proven ability to work well as part of a team and communicate effectively with others.
• Strong Excel skills essential, competence in Word and Powerpoint.
• Ability to collaborate, prioritise tasks, and work on multiple assignments.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Strong sense of ownership in carrying out duties.
• A willingness to learn and develop.

Desired candidate profile

• Analytical Skills:

  • Risk Analysis: Strong ability to assess risk using both qualitative and quantitative data, including financial records, credit scores, and historical performance.
  • Attention to Detail: Ability to scrutinize complex applications and documents to identify potential risks and ensure the terms are accurate.

• Industry Knowledge:

  • Insurance or Lending Expertise: Deep understanding of the specific underwriting practices, laws, and regulations related to the insurance or lending industry.
  • Market Awareness: Understanding of market trends, competitor pricing, and regulatory changes that impact underwriting decisions.

• Decision-Making Abilities:

  • Judgment and Discretion: Ability to make well-informed decisions under pressure, balancing risk with profitability.
  • Negotiation: Strong negotiation skills to adjust terms, resolve issues, and ensure that both the client’s and company’s interests are balanced.

• Communication Skills:

  • Clear Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to explain underwriting decisions clearly to clients, brokers, and colleagues.
  • Relationship Building: Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with brokers, agents, and clients.

• Leadership and Mentorship:

  • Team Leadership: Experience in supervising and guiding a team, providing mentorship and training to junior underwriters.
  • Delegation and Time Management: Ability to effectively prioritize tasks, manage time, and delegate responsibilities within the team.

• Problem-Solving Skills:

  • Creative Problem-Solving: Ability to find solutions when underwriting issues arise, especially in complex or high-value cases.
  • Innovative Thinking: Developing new ways to improve underwriting processes, assess risks, and enhance profitability.