Assistant Underwriter Norwich

From day one, our mission has been to create an independent business with a unique culture - one that is controlled by the people who work for it. Finding the most talented and entrepreneurial people has always been key to our success.

People come to Howden for lots of different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. That’s what sets us apart, and why we nurture and retain the best talent in the market. Whatever your priorities - work/life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering - you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.
- An opportunity to join a leading underwriting agency that helps legal professionals manage transactional risk through the transfer of legal risks to the insurance market
- Full time position: working 5 days a week
- Working within a fun and collaborative team with a strong UK and European presence

Overview

We are looking for a bright, motivated and enthusiastic graduate, paralegal, legal assistant, conveyancing assistant or conveyancer who is excited by the opportunity of helping legal professionals manage transactional risk through the transfer of legal risks to the insurance market.

You will work closely and collaboratively with experienced underwriters at an innovative and disruptive underwriting agency that has within five years gone from new entrant to market leader.

The individual will join our energetic, fast paced, dynamic company on a permanent, full-time basis.

Role responsibilities
- Deal with incoming enquiries from clients, insurers and third parties.
- Underwrite business in accordance with Company and Underwriter requirements.
- Interpret instructions and issues arising, and then implement actions according to Company policies and procedures.
- Innovative, always look for ways to improve efficiency of the underwriting process.
- Exercise personal skill sets and personal knowledge for the overall benefit of the underwriting team.
- Ensure that service levels to clients / insurance brokers is of high standard.
- Develop strong relationships with lawyers and brokers.
- Participate and undertake applicable professional, technical and career development training (delivered internally and externally) as appropriate.
- Resolve any outstanding underwriting related tasks/matters in a timely and efficient matter to enable supporting functions, including claims, finance and compliance, to fulfil their responsibilities with the minimum of problems.
- Ensure all dealings are carried out with integrity and professionalism.
- Act in utmost good faith, in accordance with Company and/or Group policies and never risk the Company’s or Group’s reputation.
- Manage assigned projects and contribute to other projects as required.
- Ensure up to date records are maintained at all times on the Company systems.

Key requirements
- Ability to work quickly, efficiently and methodically.
- Strong networking and communication skills.
- All round awareness of those aspects of the insurance industry that have a direct bearing on key responsibilities and accountabilities.
- Efficient and highly organised.
- Pro-active and strategic approach to work.
- Attention to detail.
- Ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines.
- Ability to adapt to a rapidly changing business environment.

Compliance and Regulatory Requirements
- To remain compliant with FCA requirements at all times.
- To obtain appropriate approvals to ensure compliance with company policy, procedures and regulatory requirements/rules, with regards to data protection, money laundering etc.
- To share ideas, best practice and other information within the team.
- Evidence that in all aspects of the business process, priority is placed on treating customers fairly.
- Meet all competency requirements by undertaking training and following agreed principles, policies, processes and procedures.
- Identify and refer any actual or potential conflicts of interest.
- Identify and refer any breaches, potential risks or non-compliance to line management.
- Ensure that own performance, HR and Training and Competence records are up to date and meet the Company’s requirements.
- Maintain accurate records and deal with correspondence appropriately.

Professional Qualifications
- Graduate (2:1 and above), Law degree preferable

Our Culture: People First

We’ve travelled far since opening our first office in 1994. Back then we were local experts - based in London, with direct access to the world’s biggest insurance market. We’re still locals, and we still deliver the right advice and the right insurance to our clients. But now, we’re local all over the world. With 15,000 global colleagues and a partner network spanning more than 100 territories, we are the largest independent insurance broker in the world. But our values haven’t changed since day one, when we set out to create a company grounded in:

- An employee-ownership model
- Aligned external investors
- The trust and integrity b