We’re First Central Insurance & Technology Group (First Central for short), an innovative, market-leading insurance company. We protect the things customers love so they can get on with what matters to them in life.
Data drives us. It fuels our outstanding distribution, finance, technology and legal services. Our underwriting skills are built on data expertise; it creates the insights we need to give the right cover to the right customers at the right price. But, it’s the people inside and outside our business that power us. They make us stand out, help us succeed. We’re ambitious. We’re growing. We’ve won awards.
Are you a talented logical and analytical problem solver? Are you an experienced or passionate coder? If so, we need you!
We’re looking for an Underwriting & Assurance Analyst to join us in our Haywards Heath, West Sussex office.
Our Underwriting & Assurance Team are tasked with using analytics and insight to drive the ongoing optimization of the FCG underwriting footprint, and the monitoring of underwriting and pricing performance, to support the delivery of profit and volume targets for the business.
In this role you’ll contribute to and support various projects pertaining to these areas, produce analysis to support the teams wider objectives, and proactively seek ways to improve existing processes in the Pricing & Underwriting Department.
We’re all about people and we’re passionate about continuous improvement, so you’ll share your thoughts with the team to continually progress our methods and team knowledge.
Core skills we’re looking for to succeed in the role:
- A strong numerical background with a logical and analytical approach to solving problems
- Coding skills in packages such as SAS, SQL, Python, Databricks
- Prior experience gained in similar analytical role
- Ability to clearly communicate with range of stakeholders
- Good time management and organisational skills
Nice to have skills, but optional:
- Experience with building predictive models, using tools such as Emblem, Radar or Python
- Knowledge of personal lines insurance gained from role within the industry
What’s Involved:
- Use analytical and statistical techniques/models to support the iterative optimisation of the Underwriting Footprint
- Support the development and maintenance of analytical tools, reporting suites, and appropriate feedback/action loops, to enable the efficient and accurate operation of Underwriting Performance Monitoring and Assurance activities in respect of profitability and volume – including but not limited to:
- Creation and maintenance of analysis programs, tools, and predictive models written in SAS, RADAR, EMBLEM, Python/R and other software packages
- Production of ad-hoc analyses to support business decision making
- Presentation and communication of findings and recommendations in a clear, logical, and accurate fashion.
- Example output may include:
- Summaries of expected loss ratio by factor and recommendations for remedial action
- Delivery of expected loss ratio and risk indices to business stakeholders
- Standardised analysis/reports assessing the efficacy of recent Pricing or Underwriting changes
- Support the ongoing function of the UW and Assurance Team by completing or contributing to:
- Analysis to derive the assumptions and inputs for expenses, profit and capital into pricing models and production systems
- Internal monitoring of the Reinsurance Programme, and contribute to the modelling and assessment of future Reinsurance Programme considerations and parameters
- Ongoing analysis of Competitor UW activity and Market Developments
- Compiling timely and accurate information/analysis for management decision-making purposes.
- Be a conduit for change and improvement within the Pricing and UW area and wider business
- Proactively monitor and suggest improvements which drives the business forward introducing new rating factors and finding new patterns and key variables.
- Work with Senior Analysts to proactively own personal development – researching and learning about new tools, techniques, and data sources which may benefit the team
- Liaise with all departments on issues of reporting requirements, data analysis, business process and operational issues.
- Analyse business issues to find solutions to and make recommendations to improve profitability
Experience
- Experience with analytical programming languages, such as SAS, Python and R.
- Experience with building predictive models using applications such as Emblem, Radar (ML) and Python/R.
- Broad knowledge of statistical methods and analytical techniques
- Experience of a relevant pricing, commercial, or UW role preferably within the personal lines motor insurance industry
Skills & Qualifications
- Minimum 2:1 in a numerical undergraduate discipline
- Good knowledge of general insurance – preferably motor personal lines
- Good knowledge of motor insurance products and the motor insurance industry
- Strong commercial acumen.
- Underlying Skills of:
- Strong mathematical skills
- Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to adopt a logical approach to solving problems
- Excellent data and statistical analysis skills
- Strong IT skills (including Excel and ideally programming skills)
- Good communication skills, both verbal and written
- Good time management and organisational skills
Behaviours
- Proven ability to produce outstanding results based on own initiative
- Demonstrable Behaviours of:
- Logical thinker with solid reasoning ability
- Commercially focussed
- Emphasis on attention to detail and accuracy
- Quick learner
- Self-motivated and enthusiastic
- An organised and pro-active approach
- Aligned to the values of Ambition; Agility; Ownership; Collaboration
Are you the person we’re looking for? If so, we look forward to hearing from you. Apply today!
We pride ourselves on being a great place to work. Check out our Glassdoor page to see what our colleagues think about working here.
What can we do for you?
People first. Always. We’re passionate about our colleagues and know the best people deserve an extraordinary working environment. We owe it to them so that’s what we offer. Our workplaces are energetic, inspirational, supportive. To get a taste of the advantages you’ll enjoy, take a look at all our perks in full here.
Intrigued? Our Talent team can tell you everything you need to know about what we want and what we’re offering, so feel free to get in touch.
