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About the Role

This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of a high-growth, high-profit Life Science portfolio and play a defining role in its next phase. At Markel, Life Science is a key strategic priority. With a strong foundation already in place and significant investment behind it, we’re now looking for a market-leading specialist to accelerate growth, strengthen our proposition, and elevate our position in the UK broker market. This isn’t your typical “Head of”, it’s a unique hybrid role blending technical underwriting leadership with front-line trading impact.

Responsibilities

Define and implement the growth strategy
Act as the technical authority for complex underwriting decisions
Lead the market conversation with brokers
Drive product innovation and commercial performance
Own and deliver ambitious growth targets across new business and renewals
Build and position a market-leading Life Science proposition
Work closely with brokers to uncover and convert opportunities
Be a visible, credible presence in the market
Combine deep technical underwriting expertise with commercial decision-making
Take calculated risks to unlock growth
Provide technical guidance on complex and specialist risks
Act as the highest authority on underwriting appetite and referrals
Lead ongoing product development and innovation
Optimise wordings, pricing, and coverage
Partner with distribution and actuarial teams to maximise performance
Ensure the proposition remains competitive and relevant
Coach and upskill underwriters across new business and renewals
Act as a technical and commercial leader without direct reports
Drive a stronger, more daring underwriting outlook across the team

Requirements

Life Science underwriting experience (essential)
Strong technical expertise across complex casualty risks
A track record of delivering profitable growth
Confidence operating in broker-facing, market-facing roles
The ability to balance detail with decision-making and pace
Someone who wants to build, grow, and shape something
Comfortable influencing without formal authority
Brings energy, ambition, and a strong market reputation

Skills

Life Science underwriting
Technical underwriting
Commercial decision-making
Product innovation
Market analysis
Broker relationship management
Risk assessment
Underwriting appetite definition
Pricing optimization
Coverage analysis
Team coaching and development

Location

Leeds
Manchester
Birmingham
London
Flexible UK locations

Work Type

Full-time
Permanent
Hybrid working

Experience Level

Market-leading specialist
Senior leadership

Salary/Compensations

Great salary + excellent annual bonus

Benefits

Excellent annual bonus
Hybrid working and flexibility
Private medical
Life assurance
Income protection
25 days holiday + buy/sell options
Ongoing development and career progression

About the Company

Markel is a global, Fortune 500 business with a people-first culture, strong relationships, and a willingness to take on risks others can’t.

Equal Opportunity

Markel celebrates the value of a diverse workforce that brings experience and expertise from a wide variety of backgrounds and life circumstances.
We are an equal-opportunity employer and value diversity at our company.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with all reasonable accommodations to be able to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions if successful.
Please contact us via email at rec@markel.com or call us at 0161 507 5827 to request any accommodations that may be needed.
This includes any alternative formats of any documents or information on how to apply offline.