Assistant Underwriter

Role overview

As an Assistant Underwriter, you will support profitable expansion within the SME commercial insurance portfolio. The role involves working alongside intermediaries, customers, and internal teams to evaluate risk, assist with renewals and new business, and provide underwriting solutions that improve customer experience while helping the portfolio perform well.

Key responsibilities

• Handle renewal and new business opportunities by offering underwriting options that help retain business and grow the portfolio.
• Develop and nurture productive relationships with intermediaries and business partners while delivering high-quality service and positive customer outcomes.
• Help drive growth, profitability, and portfolio performance by applying sound risk assessment and judgement.
• Work with distribution, operations, claims, and underwriting colleagues to create smooth experiences for customers and partners.
• Manage digital referrals and support improvements to underwriting workflows, systems, and customer outcomes.
• Look for ways to advance innovation, automation, and ongoing process improvement across underwriting tasks.
• Support a strong risk and performance culture by following underwriting standards, policies, and governance expectations.

What you bring

• Previous experience in commercial underwriting, insurance, or a closely related role within general insurance.
• A solid grasp of commercial insurance products, underwriting fundamentals, and risk evaluation methods.
• Proven ability to build effective working relationships with brokers, intermediaries, customers, and internal stakeholders.
• Strong verbal and written communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Good problem-solving and decision-making ability, with the judgement to balance commercial outcomes against risk controls.
• Understanding of the New Zealand commercial insurance market and the SME segment.
• Industry-recognised or tertiary qualifications are considered an advantage.

Why join us

• A supportive and inclusive workplace where colleagues back one another.
• Strong emphasis on learning, development, and continuous improvement.
• Opportunity to help shape how capability, knowledge, and service excellence are embedded.
• A culture built on teamwork, trust, and doing the right thing together.

About the company

The employer is part of a major insurance group in Australia and New Zealand, bringing together well-known and trusted insurance brands. The organisation aims to deliver faster, simpler, and better outcomes for customers and partners.

The company values diversity and believes it performs best when its workforce reflects the communities it serves. It is committed to an inclusive culture and offers flexible work, career development, and internal mobility opportunities.

Accessibility and recruitment support

If you need adjustments to take part fairly in the recruitment process or the workplace, you can reach out for a confidential discussion.