Agri Market Facing Underwriter
Zurich Insurance Europe AG, Ireland Branch is looking for an Agri Market Facing Underwriter to join our Personal Lines Department. The role involves account management of our Farm Protection Business through Direct Customers & Broker partners.
The successful candidate will develop and maintain relationships with our Farm Business Development Managers, Direct Customers & Broker partners in support of business retention and acquisition and determine their insurance related needs and provide solutions.
They will contribute to the development of propositions and apply organisational quality standards to deliver profitable business results.
The Underwriter will work closely with Sales and Distribution and other internal operations such as Product, Claims, Business Lines and Finance to ensure all areas are managed according to the Zurich Way of Underwriting and within delegated authority levels.
This role may be available part-time or full-time, allowing flexibility for candidates who require it.
Your Role
* Build relationships with key customers and distributors and manage strategic distributors' agreements and terms of business with Zurich.
* Under direct supervision, underwrite and analyse new and renewal business utilising the Zurich Way of Underwriting framework and within delegated authority levels.
* Key job tasks include:
* Measuring exposure & analysing risk primarily for business referred by our online quotation tools/products.
* Quoting & setting coverage for cases not automatically rated/accepted.
* Negotiating terms & conditions.
* Contributing to managing accounts.
* Building relationships in support of customer/business acquisition and retention (e.g., handling a range of queries, providing advice to assist with the development of an account).
* Implementing agreed technical standards, controls, practices and procedures, thereby maintaining underwriting discipline.
* Proactively contributing ideas and working for the development of new or enhanced propositions based on technical, customer and distributor insights.
* Adhering to Central Bank compliance standards of operating.
* Demonstrating high level quality assurance in all elements of the underwriting process.
* Ensuring any issues arising are dealt with in accordance with Zurich standards and where appropriate issues escalated in a timely fashion.
* Responsible for relationship management.
* Responsible for maintaining all customer underwriting records in accordance with regulatory/statutory and internal requirements.
Relationships:
* Internal Relationships:
* Engaging and interacting where necessary with Risk Engineering, Claims, Underwriting Technical Centre, Distribution Management, Proposition Development and other functional areas.
* External Relationships:
* Building key relationships with customers, distributors, tied agents and business partners.
* Engagement and participating in promotion of Zurich at events when appropriate.
Your Skills & Experience
* A minimum of 2 Grade C3/H5 at Higher Level in the Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) or FETAC Level 6 Diploma.
* Bachelor's degree and/or holds or is working towards relevant professional qualifications i.e. CIP, ACII.
* Minimum 3 Years industry knowledge in Commercial Insurance.
* Underwriting Authority Level Min 1.
* Excellent technical insurance knowledge, including specific knowledge in the Agricultural sector.
* Advanced knowledge of the Insurance Industry is required, specific knowledge of the Agricultural sector would be beneficial.
* Thorough understanding of the relevant systems, sales practices in addition to our products being sold in the market.
* Solid understanding of Underwriting practices, rules and performance metrics.
* A high level of experience in contributing to and working effectively as part of a successful team.
* Strong communication and interpersonal skills supporting an ability to develop and maintain valuable and productive relationships with key customers.
* Excellent planning and organisational skills.
* Strong Problem-solving, decision-making and judgement skills.
* Strong knowledge of regulatory and legal requirements.
* Supports organisational change and improvement.
* Ability to drive and manage own work.
* All employees are expected to work in accordance with the values laid out in Zurich Basics.
Key Personal Attributes:
* Results driven with a proven track record of executing and delivering results.
* Excellent communication and relationship skills with a strong history of collaborating effectively with key business partners.
* A strong team player with a flexible, positive attitude towards work.
* Excellent planning and organisational skills that support a high service standard.
* Excellent attention to detail, including a strong ability to multitask.
* Ability to prioritise workload and to adapt quickly within a busy environment to ensure we respond effectively to customer needs and expectations.
* Good IT literacy skills and knowledge of frequently used applications.
Additional Information
If you value an exciting and varied working environment and meet the above requirements, then our recruiter is looking forward to receiving your application.
About Us
Zurich is one of Ireland's leading insurance companies providing a wide range of general insurance and life insurance products and services. We employ over 1,000 people across our locations in Dublin and Wexford.
We foster a culture of diversity and inclusion. Our purpose and values are designed to protect, inspire confidence and help our employees reach their full potential. We value and defend what is right and promote opportunities for equity among our professionals, regardless of gender, disability, LGBTQ +, race, ethnicity, generations, belief, etc.