Title:
Head Of Underwriting
Reporting to
: Director Of Underwriting
Location:
Grand Canal Dock, Dublin 2
Contract
: Full Time Permanent
Working Model:
Hybrid Working Model (two days in the office, three days working remotely in Ireland on a weekly basis. Flexibility to work additional days in the office will be required depending on business demands).
* Kindly note we do not offer visas or sponsorship for this role. You must have the right to work in Ireland and provide a valid Visa to be considered for this role.
About IPB:
Founded in 1926, we are the leading insurer of Ireland's public sector. As Irelands only indigenous mutual insurer, we exist to protect and safeguard the interests of our Members, consisting of all 31 Local Authorities, 16 Education and Training Boards, the HSE and Regional Assemblies. In doing so, we play an important role in supporting our Members in serving the needs of their local communities across the length and breadth of Ireland.
Our purpose is as relevant today as it was when we were founded. We have maintained this purpose by attracting the very best talent to meet the evolving needs of our Members and customers.
About the Role:
As Head of Underwriting, you will lead the delivery of best-in-class underwriting and product solutions that enable excellent member and customer service while driving the company strategy and performance. Reporting to the Director of Underwriting, you will be a senior leader within the Underwriting Management Team, accountable for achieving underwriting profit and growth targets, while overseeing the day-to-day performance, leadership, and development of the underwriting function. You will play a pivotal role in shaping product strategy, enhancing underwriting capability, and ensuring regulatory compliance to support sustainable and profitable growth.
Fitness & Probity and Conduct Standards
IPB Insurance is a financial institution regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. As such, this role is regulated and subject to the Fitness and Probity Standards as set out by the Central Bank. These standards require that individuals performing Controlled Functions (CFs) are competent, capable, honest, ethical, and act with integrity. In addition, the role is subject to the Conduct Standards introduced under the Central Bank (Individual Accountability Framework) Act 2023, which apply throughout the course of employment. Accordingly, this role will be subject to enhanced pre-employment screening procedures, and there will be an ongoing requirement for the role holder to maintain both fit and proper status and adherence to the Conduct Standards throughout their employment.
To be successful in the role you will be accountable for:
* Owning and evolving IPB's product suite, ensuring development, enhancement, and lifecycle management.
* Maintaining contract certainty through robust, clear, and legally sound policy wordings and endorsements.
* Leading the drafting and control of all customer-facing documentation.
* Championing innovation and ESG initiatives aligned with member, customer, and sustainability needs.
* Staying ahead of market developments to inform product and underwriting strategy.
* Collaborating on reinsurance strategy to secure appropriate coverage and placements.
* Acting as a senior leader, driving strategic implementation and operational transformation.
* Inspiring and developing a high-performing team, embedding accountability and continuous improvement.
* Ensuring all underwriting activities meet regulatory, governance, and compliance requirements.
* Embedding strong risk management and promoting a culture of accountability and transparency.
* Developing and maintaining underwriting guidelines, tools, and processes for operational excellence.
* Driving quality assurance and documentation of underwriting decisions.
* Building technical capability through targeted training and development initiatives.
* Expanding market share and exploring new growth opportunities in preferred sectors.
* Underwriting new and existing business profitably, including large and complex risks.
* Building trusted relationships with members, customers, and industry stakeholders.
* Shaping and delivering pricing strategies in collaboration with the pricing team.
* Monitoring and analysing portfolio performance to identify trends and optimise results.
* Ensuring reinsurance adequacy and alignment with overall strategy.
* Enhancing the customer proposition by balancing underwriting rigour with sales effectiveness.
What we're looking for:
* Proven success in a senior commercial insurance role with strong underwriting results.
* Recognised market credibility and influence within the Irish insurance sector.
* Deep expertise in P&C products, pricing methodologies, and risk selection.
* Strong knowledge of reinsurance structures and strategies.
* Excellent understanding of Irish regulatory and compliance requirements.
* Commercial acumen with the ability to align underwriting to strategic goals.
* Exceptional analytical and data interpretation skills.
* Demonstrated ability to mentor, develop, and build technical capability within teams.
What you'll get:
* Opportunity to lead a critical function at senior leadership level.
* Influence over strategy, innovation, and growth in a dynamic business.
* Exposure to complex risks and diverse product portfolios.
* A collaborative culture that values expertise, accountability, and innovation.
* Competitive package and benefits aligned to senior leadership responsibilities.
We offer you a culture that is underpinned and supported by our values and behaviours of 'Passionate', 'Service Driven', 'Respectful', 'Trustworthy' and 'Collaborative'. These values underpin how we interact with each other across everything that we do. They guide our thinking, decisions, and actions, creating a truly unique place to work. Every employee is responsible for the creation of our culture which focuses on creating a psychologically safe 'Speak Up' environment, promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace and enhancing our journey in employee engagement and sustained performance improvement.
Lots of benefits including:
* Competitive Salary.
* Discretionary Bonus.
* Health Allowance for employees and dependents where applicable.
* Holidays - 25 days annual leave plus the option to purchase more.
* 10 public holidays plus 2 additional company days.
* Generous Pension Scheme.
* A suite of family leave policies.
* Life assurance cover.
* Income Protection Insurance.
* Discounted Home and Car Insurance.
* Learning and Development Opportunities.
* Exam and Study Leave.
* Easy access to our Employee Assistance Programme and suite of Employee Wellness Initiatives including annual Flu vaccine.
* Bike to Work Scheme.
* Active Sports and Social Club.
IPB is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining the very best people by offering a motivating and inclusive workplace in which talent is truly recognised and rewarded. We are committed to promoting Inclusion for All with the belief that diversity plays an important role in the success of our business. We actively encourage everyone to consider becoming a part of our journey.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status, disability, or membership of the Traveller community. We bring out the best in each other.
IPB is proud to be recognised as a Great Place to Work.
IPB is dedicated to Sustainability and safeguarding your future. We focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance commitments, and invite you to join us in creating a better world for generations to come.
Individuals who are interested in applying for a job opportunity in IPB can request reasonable accommodations to be made throughout the recruitment process.
To learn more about us, please visit here.
If this sounds like you:
Apply if you think we're a good match for you and you believe in our values. We'll get in touch to let you know what the next steps are.
Interviews:
Interviews will be conducted in-person, in addition to virtually where required.