Underwriting & Operations Manager

Job Title: Underwriting and Operations Manager

Location: County Durham/North Yorkshire

Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent, Office-based with occasional travel to other sites

About Us: We are a leading recruitment agency, partnering with one of the UK's largest insurance companies to find a dedicated Underwriting and Operations Manager. This role is pivotal in ensuring the smooth operation of the Underwriting and Operations department, delivering outstanding customer service and supporting staff development.

Job Purpose: The Underwriting and Operations Manager will oversee the day-to-day management of the department, prioritising and delegating workloads effectively. The role involves mitigating risk, ensuring accurate underwriting of policies, and providing auditing and referral support for staff development. The manager will ensure smooth back-office performance, handle MTAs/cancellations, and general administrative duties. Additionally, the role includes training and development of staff in underwriting and operational processes, supporting the Schemes & Underwriting Manager with product maintenance and development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist and support the team with technical queries.
• Manage the operations team, ensuring effective workload distribution to enhance customer experience.
• Train team members and support their learning and development plans.
• Support, develop, and motivate staff to achieve agreed targets.
• Communicate results and ensure alignment with pre-agreed targets.
• Delegate and prioritise departmental workloads.
• Implement business transfers in line with company strategy.
• Conduct monthly 1:1s with team members to enhance performance, knowledge, and productivity.
• Complete underwriting audits and risk-related reports.
• Build and maintain relationships with insurers and key industry contacts.
• Review QA data and provide solutions to minimise risk and prevent future issues.
• Increase awareness of market trends and competitors.
• Assist with staff learning and development across all departments.
• Manage new and updated protocols, ensuring compliance.
• Drive improvements in loss ratio and scheme performance.
• Ensure underwriting guidance and staff understanding are up-to-date with insurer requirements.
• Assist with recruitment, training, and development of new staff.
• Handle and log complaints, manage escalated complaints following company procedures.
• Keep team members informed of product and procedure changes, and company standards.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in underwriting and operations management.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Ability to prioritise and delegate effectively.
• Knowledge of insurance industry trends and competitors.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Professional development opportunities
• Supportive work environment
• Opportunity to work with a leading insurance company
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee discounts
• Enhanced maternity leave (12 weeks full pay)
• Enhanced paternity leave (12 weeks full pay)
• Referral programme
• Healthshield Cashplan
• Telus Health EAP
• Group Life Assurance (4x salary)
• 26 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• Holiday purchase scheme
• Free fruit and tea and coffee
• Free parking