Senior Underwriting Manager

Welcome to Hastings Direct – From our Group HR Director Pam Angel   

We’re a digital insurance provider with ambitious plans to become The Best and Biggest in the UK market. We’ve made huge investments in our data and tech capabilities over the past few years, along with nurturing our 4Cs culture. We’re proud of the journey we’re on as a company and know that our continued success will rely on the contribution of our talented colleagues.  

We provide insurance for over four million customers, but we know there’s even bigger opportunity out there. The fact you’re now reading this job advert means we’ve tempted you to find out more about #lifeatHD – we really hope you like what you see, and you’ll join us to share in the success of the exciting chapter that lies ahead.   

We understand some people may not apply for jobs unless they feel they tick every box. If you are excited about joining us and think you have some of what we are looking for, even if you’re not 100% sure we would love to hear from you.  

Job Details:  

• This Senior Underwriting role is for a curious, bold, and commercial leader who will drive the evolution of our Underwriting strategy – identifying opportunities to improve and build market-leading controls to avoid bad drivers and unlock significant growth. 

• Take the lead in prioritisation and execution of Underwriting projects, with a restless focus on delivery, and your commerciality to assess the cost and benefits of deliveries  

• Being a creative problem solver in a data-led environment, constantly developing innovative ideas to expand our underwriting protections using advanced analytical and modelling techniques including utilising automation 

• Establish cross-functional collaboration, working with Actuarial, Data Science, Underwriting, Data Engineering, Account Management, Retail, Counter Fraud, and Digital teams to deliver and understand the end to end impacts of changes we make 

• Create and lead a high performing team of data analysts and delivery specialists, with a focus on rapid and high impact change, whilst supporting personal development  

• Embed robust tracking of measures of success, including lead-indicators and financial metrics against clear, measurable targets  

• Engage with senior stakeholders to report on commercial outcomes, demonstrating the financial impacts   

Skills we would love you to have:  

• You will be able to bring a strong track record of strategic and transformational delivery, demonstrating an ability to take action and link this to commercial outcomes. This role will be responsible for leading delivery across multiple teams and project deliveries, injecting focus and pace.   

• A passion for data, using analytics to interpret trends, monitor performance, and drive change. Comfortable working with numerical and statistical datasets, with a strong analytical mindset to generate insights and inform decisions.  

• However far we delve into the data, we feel it’s also important to keep sight of the bigger picture; we’re also looking for someone who is confident combining data analytics with commercial judgment to drive real transformational and continuous change.   

• Appetite to learn new skills, with an enthusiastic and positive attitude, who collaborates well with colleagues from own team and other teams  

• Whilst technical skills and experience are a key element of your skillset, we get excited when we see you get excited. We want you to take the initiative, be accountable and honest for the approaches you take and most importantly be passionate about the work you do.  

• We’d also love it if you are the kind of person who can thrive in a fast-paced and innovative environment, where you can engage and collaborate positively with experts across the Underwriting department and wider business.  

What we offer :

Join us and you’ll find a different way of doing things. We call it the 4Cs. We focus on getting it right for our colleagues, customers, company, and community. As one of our colleagues, you’ll be helping to drive our growth, so in return, we’ll give you all the support, training and development you need. Not to mention plenty of recognition and rewards, and the scope to voice your ideas and put them into practice.   

Reward  

Salary – Attractive salary based on experience (pay reviews also completed each year)  

Flexible Working – We champion a flexible and hybrid working approach so please speak to your recruiter to discuss in more detail, including days in the office and at home.    

Competitive Bonus Scheme - All colleagues are eligible for our annual 4Cs performance bonus, which is usually paid in March. The scheme is based on Hastings’ performance against our business goals and your own personal performance.  

Physical Wellbeing – We like to help our colleagues take a proactive approach in keeping themselves well, that’s why we fund our colleagues to be able to claim against everyday health care through our healthcare cash plan.  

Financial Wellbeing – As well as providing you with 4x your salary with our life assurance cover and income protection at no extra cost, pension contribution match up to 10%, we are proud to provide you with an AWARD WINNING package which includes – discounts and cashback at everyday retailers and on our own products, fee free independent mortgage advice, and free access to financial wellbeing support.  

Mental Wellbeing Programme - At Hastings Direct we understand that mental health cannot not be scheduled, that’s why we have a range of support to help you keep yourself well. We have the thrive mental health app, our colleague assistance programme available 24/7, our own in-house mental health first aiders, support groups and a dedicated team to make sure we are covering your needs  

There's more! – 25 days annual leave +bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell one of your contracted weeks, access to private healthcare, dental plans, discounted health assessments, cycle to work and tech schemes, discounted and free onsite facilities, social events throughout the year and much more. Most of our benefits and wellbeing resources are available to colleagues from their first day whilst some optional benefits, which involve committing to a 12-month payment schedule, are available as soon as you have completed your probationary period.  

Our 4Cs principles are simple: we believe by creating the right culture for our colleagues and giving them the right tools to do their job, we’ll deliver good outcomes for every customer, helping us to grow the company profitably and sustainably and allowing us to invest in the communities we serve