Underwriter

Company Info

First Title is the UK division of First American Financial Corporation (“FAFC”). First American Financial Corporation is a leading global provider of title insurance and settlement services for residential and commercial real estate transactions. One of our subsidiaries, First Title Insurance plc (FTI) is a leading insurer of risks involving title and related areas of property and property finance and is part of the First Title Group of Companies. FTI have a unique range of policies to help lawyers involved in commercial and residential property transactions resolve both known and unknown title issues and help problem transactions close on time. First Title also provides support services to First European Title Insurance Company Ltd (FETIC) established in Malta in 2018. FETIC is a wholly owned subsidiary of FAFC.

Role Profile

As an Underwriter you will play a key role in driving business forward in the UK.

The role will involve underwriting residential and commercial risks within agreed authority levels, negotiating and maximising business profitability by means of effective underwriting decisions and techniques. You will assist in the continual review of our residential products offering both on and offline (including panels and schemes), to ensure that all aspects continue to meet the high standards required by our customers and comply with regulatory requirements.

You will build strong relationships with clients, solicitors, brokers and business units plus assist in the development of these relationships through presentations, meetings and corporate events

In addition, you will provide support, guidance and training to junior team members to develop their technical/commercial proficiency, and contribute to ongoing initiatives and projects.

Underwriting and product training will be provided.
#

Job Description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

- Negotiate and maximise business profitability by means of effective underwriting decisions and techniques
- Actively develop relationships with prospective clients
- Maintain long-term profitable relationships with assigned clients/markets and
- undefined
- Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of policy coverage and discuss this confidently with external and internal clients
- Oversee initiatives that will maximise opportunity and increase revenue through the successful review and regular assessment of the various product lines (including Schemes) ensuring that efficiencies are maintained
- Assist in the continual review of residential product offering both on and offline (including panels and schemes) to ensure that all aspects including documentation, pricing and processing meet the high standards demanded by our customers and comply with regulatory requirements
- Provide technical input in the drafting of new policies, on and off line
- Continue underwriting activity for Lender Programmes
- Identify opportunities for development of new products/bespoke schemes and maintain involvement with all aspects of drafting and contract negotiation
- Provide input to marketing of residential products, by receiving and analysing customer feedback and researching our competitor's offerings
- Contribute to the development of marketing material and act as technical sign off for material content
- Assist in promotion of our residential products by organising promotional events, giving client presentations, attending meetings with clients and representing FT at sponsored events such as Law Society awards and dinners
- Provide support to the Sales team in the field as required, giving or assisting with presentations to existing or prospective clients and attending meetings
- Understand regulatory environment and its requirements as it affects work and keep abreast of relevant changes in law
- Ensure training manuals are up to date and coach and guide team members on more complex issues and the appropriate course of action
- Model First Title Values in personal work behaviours, decision making, contributions and interpersonal interactions
- Provide technical training and development to other team members and colleagues across the department to improve their knowledge and competence in their role
- Travel to other First Title offices and clients’ premises as required

Adhere to Conduct Rules

You must:
• Act with integrity
• Act with due skill, care and diligence
• Be open and co-operative with the FCA, the PRA and other regulators
• Pay due regard to the interests of customers and treat them fairly
• Observe proper standards of market conduct
• Act to deliver good outcomes for retail customers

Personal Qualities

• Detailed knowledge of residential and commercial property law
• Demonstrates a detailed knowledge of residential products and their market
• Commercial awareness
• Ability to focus on specific targets and demonstrate target achievement
• Understands the clients business and develops a partnership approach to problem resolution
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Strong negotiation skills
• Capable of producing high quality work in a flexible, fast-paced environment
• Takes personal responsibility for actions and decisions and takes initiative to make things happen
• Flexibility to adapt as the role continues to evolve
• Ability to effectively communicate in all forms at all levels within an organisation
• Remains positive despite difficulty, disappointment and when under pressure
• Able to work alone and as part of a team
• Shows initiative in getting things done
• Demonstrates a ‘can do’ attitude
• Ability to organise own time and prioritise workload often within tight timescales whilst still maintaining a high attention to detail
• Builds rapport with colleagues
• Acts as role model to staff
• Is aware of personal development needs and raises issues with manager to help improve effectiveness. Takes on board comments about development needs and is always willing to learn

Competencies as per the Underwriting Competency Framework

#

About You

This is an outstanding opportunity for a solicitor, legal exec, conveyancer, fee earner or underwriter who is qualified by having relevant experience and possesses an in-depth knowledge of residential property transactions or relevant title insurance underwriting experience.  Your experience of a range of conveyancing matters will include purchase and sale, remortgages, lease hold, new build, lease extensions and other complex matters.

With sound commercial acumen you will have excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills along with the ability to build strong working relationships with clients and colleagues.  Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are also required.

You will be capable of producing high quality work in a flexible, fast paced environment, be able to demonstrate creativity in resolving challenging business problems and have the ability to effectively assess risk.  Independent and able to work on your own initiative, you will also function effectively in a team environment.

Above all, to be successful in this fantastic role you need to show enthusiasm, flexibility and a positive working attitude.  You will be professional and an excellent role model to your colleagues.  For this you will be rewarded with the opportunity for a very successful career within an expanding global company.

First Title has a positive commitment to the promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion for all current and prospective employees.  Our objective is to cultivate and promote an inclusive culture that maximises the talent, skills and diversity within our workforce by treating all job applicants and employees of the Company equally; recruiting, remunerating and promoting people based solely on their suitability for the job and ensuring that opportunities for development and progress are afforded to all members of the Company to achieve their potential.

Above all, to be successful in this exciting role you need to show enthusiasm, flexibility and a positive working attitude. For this you will be rewarded with the opportunity to broaden your skill set within an expanding global company.

Diversity and Inclusion

First Title has a positive commitment to the promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion for all current and prospective employees. Our objective is to cultivate and promote an inclusive culture that maximises the talent, skills and diversity within our workforce by treating all job applicants and employees of the Company equally; recruiting, remunerating and promoting people based solely on their suitability for the job and ensuring that opportunities for development and progress are afforded to all members of the Company to achieve their potential.