Insurance Underwriter jobs

Senior Underwriter - Income Protection
Location: Dublin, Ireland

About the Opportunity
Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Underwriter - Income Protection to join their growing Specialty Underwriting team. This is an excellent opportunity for a technically strong underwriting professional to take ownership of a profitable Income Protection portfolio, contribute to underwriting strategy, and play a key role in driving sustainable business growth.
The successful candidate will provide expert underwriting guidance, develop strong broker and client relationships, and work collaboratively across underwriting, claims, actuarial, finance, risk, and compliance teams.

Key Responsibilities
Portfolio Management & Underwriting

• Underwrite and manage a profitable portfolio of Income Protection business.
• Take ownership of performance across allocated accounts and identify opportunities for new business growth.
• Assess and price risks while considering claims costs, reinsurance arrangements, capital exposure, and operational expenses.
• Monitor scheme performance, premiums, and loss ratios, recommending corrective actions where required.
• Ensure underwriting decisions align with company appetite, strategy, and profitability targets.

Technical Expertise

• Act as a subject matter expert for Income Protection underwriting.
• Provide guidance, mentoring, and technical support to underwriting colleagues.
• Support the development and implementation of underwriting best practices and standards.
• Prepare policy terms and conditions, working closely with relevant teams to ensure robust policy wordings.

Stakeholder & Broker Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with brokers, clients, and key external stakeholders.
• Provide advice and support on insurance and risk-related matters.
• Work collaboratively with Claims, Finance, Actuarial, Compliance, Risk, and Operations teams.
• Identify opportunities to expand and enhance existing client relationships.

Portfolio Governance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with underwriting authority, internal controls, and regulatory requirements.
• Support portfolio risk management strategies and contribute to underwriting governance activities.
• Participate in underwriting audits and reviews, ensuring adherence to underwriting standards and procedures.
• Monitor market developments and emerging risks, providing recommendations on underwriting opportunities and threats.

Business Development & Strategic Support

• Assist in the preparation of business plans, market research, presentations, and technical documentation.
• Share market intelligence and insights with colleagues to support business growth.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives and operational plans that support the organisation's objectives.
• Represent the business at client and broker meetings as required.

Skills & Experience
Essential

• Minimum CIP qualification or equivalent recognised insurance qualification.
• 5-10 years' experience in Income Protection underwriting within the Irish insurance market.
• Strong understanding of underwriting principles, pricing, risk assessment, and portfolio management.
• Experience managing broker and client relationships.
• Excellent commercial awareness and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and presentation abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and underwriting systems.

Desirable

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Insurance, Risk Management, or a related discipline.
• Experience contributing to underwriting strategy and portfolio development.
• Previous mentoring or technical leadership experience.

Key Competencies
Commercial & Technical Expertise

• Strong risk assessment and analytical skills.
• Financial and commercial acumen.
• Ability to make informed decisions on complex underwriting cases.
• Strategic thinking combined with practical execution.

Relationship Management

• Ability to develop strong relationships with brokers, clients, and internal stakeholders.
• Customer-focused approach with a commitment to delivering positive outcomes.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Works effectively across teams and functions.
• Shares knowledge and promotes underwriting best practice.
• Supports a positive, collaborative, and inclusive culture.

Risk & Compliance

• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements and risk management principles.
• Maintains high standards of governance, control, and documentation.

Continuous Improvement

• Keeps up to date with market, regulatory, and industry developments.
• Demonstrates a commitment to professional development and ongoing learning.