Assistant Underwriter

Role overview

Join the SME commercial underwriting team as an Assistant Underwriter in Hamilton, Waikato. In this role, you’ll support profitable expansion across the commercial portfolio by assessing risk, handling renewal and new business activity, and helping deliver underwriting outcomes that balance customer needs with portfolio performance.

Key responsibilities

• Handle renewal and new business work by providing underwriting solutions that help retain business and grow the portfolio.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with brokers, intermediaries, business partners, and internal teams.
• Contribute to growth, profitability, and portfolio performance by applying sound risk assessment and decision-making.
• Work alongside distribution, operations, claims, and underwriting colleagues to create smooth experiences for customers and partners.
• Manage digital referrals and support improvements to underwriting workflows, system effectiveness, and customer outcomes.
• Look for opportunities to improve automation, innovation, and continuous improvement within underwriting operations.
• Help maintain a strong risk and performance culture by following underwriting rules, policies, and governance standards.

Required experience and skills

The ideal candidate will bring experience from commercial underwriting, insurance, or a similar role in general insurance. A solid understanding of commercial insurance products, underwriting fundamentals, and risk assessment is important, along with the ability to work confidently with brokers, intermediaries, customers, and internal stakeholders.

You should also be comfortable communicating clearly, negotiating effectively, and engaging stakeholders in a professional way. Strong judgement, problem-solving ability, and the capacity to weigh business goals against risk controls are important. Familiarity with the New Zealand commercial insurance market and the SME segment will be an advantage. Industry or tertiary qualifications are desirable.

Why this employer

• Supportive and inclusive workplace culture.
• Strong emphasis on learning, development, and ongoing improvement.
• Opportunity to help shape capability, knowledge, and service excellence.
• Team-oriented environment built on trust and doing the right thing together.

About the organisation

The company is part of a major insurance group across Australia and New Zealand, with a focus on delivering faster, simpler, and better outcomes for customers and partners. The business values diversity, flexible working, career development, and internal mobility.

Recruitment support

If you need adjustments to take part fairly in the hiring process or in the workplace, you can contact lisa.scanlon@suncorp.com.au for a confidential discussion.

Application note

Applications are invited online.