Join NHBC as a Senior Underwriting Team Lead on a full-time, permanent basis. Based in Milton Keynes or London with a hybrid working arrangement (2 days in office), this role offers a salary of £80,000 - £85,000 plus a 15% performance bonus. You will lead a team of underwriters while managing complex underwriting decisions for major projects and specialist risks.
Requirements
Substantial underwriting experience with complex or specialist risks.
Experience leading, supervising, or developing other underwriters.
Strong technical underwriting judgement and experience operating within delegated authority frameworks.
A relevant degree or equivalent experience; ACII or progress towards it is desirable.
Skills & Responsibilities
Technical Underwriting: Make high-value and complex underwriting decisions within delegated authority limits for major projects and specialist risks.
People Leadership: Coach and develop a team of Senior Underwriters, managing performance and building technical capability.
Quality Assurance: Drive decision quality through peer reviews, quality assurance, and clear documentation.
Cross-functional Collaboration: Work with credit, pricing, and technical standards teams to manage larger risks and present referral papers.
Potential transition routes: People from underwriting management or senior insurance roles may bring strong risk assessment skills, alongside meeting the required technical underwriting background.
Job description
Overview
Job Role: Senior Underwriting Team Lead
Salary: £80,000 - £85,000 + 15% performance bonus
Working Location: Milton Keynes/London, Hybrid working, 2 days in office
Employment Type: Full Time, Permanent
Closing Date: 18th November 2026
Job summary:
We're looking for an experienced Senior Underwriting Team Lead to lead and develop our Senior Underwriter team, overseeing complex underwriting decisions across major projects, surety and specialist risks. Combining people leadership with hands-on underwriting, you'll ensure decisions are consistent, commercially sound and delivered within agreed authority levels, while driving quality, building technical capability and supporting effective risk management.
What you’ll be doing:
Lead, coach and develop a team of Senior Underwriters, managing performance and building technical capability.
Allocate and oversee complex underwriting cases, ensuring workloads are managed effectively.
Underwrite high-value and complex cases, making decisions within your delegated authority.
Drive decision quality through peer reviews, quality assurance and clear documentation.
Prepare and present referral papers to the Underwriting Committee where required.
Monitor underwriting performance, service levels and decision quality, providing regular management information.
Work collaboratively with colleagues across underwriting, credit, pricing and technical standards to manage larger risks effectively.
What we’re looking for:
Substantial underwriting experience, particularly with complex or specialist risks.
Experience leading, supervising or developing other underwriters.
Strong technical underwriting judgement and experience operating within delegated authority frameworks.
A good understanding of underwriting principles, referral processes, contractor and builder risk.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly document and justify underwriting decisions.
Experience in major projects, surety, structural warranty or construction underwriting would be advantageous.
A relevant degree or equivalent experience, with ACII or progress towards it desirable.
What we offer
Our benefits package includes:
27 days annual leave + bank holidays
holiday purchase scheme
enhanced pension scheme (up to 10.5%)
life assurance
subsidised private medical insurance
employee discounts platform
two days volunteer leave
enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption leave and pay for all new parents
+ many more!
Who we are
At NHBC, we pride ourselves on being truly unique. No other organisation in our sector matches the range of services and scale we provide. As the market leader, we are recognised as the go-to for new home warranties and insurance. Our team is united by a core purpose: to raise the standards of house building and protect homeowners.
Why you should join us
As a modern, family-friendly employer, we’re in a phase of rapid growth, embracing technology, data and new ways of working. We’re seeking passionate, skilled and driven individuals to join us on this exciting journey.
Once onboard, you’ll have access to fantastic opportunities for personal and career growth. You’ll receive thorough training, continuous development and the chance to earn recognised qualifications and professional memberships to support your journey.
We support flexible working and encourage our colleagues to find a balance that suits them. While we may not be able to accommodate every request, we’re always happy to have a conversation about flexible working arrangements.
Our inclusive culture
We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive culture where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We firmly believe in the right of all our employees and customers to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect, and free from discrimination. Our active employee networks support colleagues and their allies, providing safe spaces for open conversations and idea-sharing.
We are a Disability Confident organisation committed to fair and inclusive recruitment. Our first step is to review applications to ensure candidates meet the essential criteria for the role. We assess skills, experience, and potential objectively, and provide support or reasonable adjustments where needed. Candidates who meet the criteria will progress to the next stage.
