Senior Construction Underwriter

Gravitas Recruitment Group Hong Kong
Full time Permanent On-site Competitive

About the job

Overview

We are seeking a Senior Construction Underwriter to underwrite and manage a profitable portfolio of construction risks across Asia. You will provide technical leadership, deliver underwriting discipline, and support sustainable growth across contractor’s all risks, erection all risks, project delay/DSU, third party liability, and related construction classes.

Key Responsibilities
  • Evaluate, price, and negotiate construction insurance risks in line with delegated underwriting authority and appetite.
  • Assess submissions including contracts, method statements, schedules, soil reports, project financing, and risk engineering information.
  • Structure terms, conditions, warranties, and endorsements; ensure clear policy wordings and documentation.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with brokers, clients, and internal stakeholders to drive retention and new business.
  • Partner with risk engineering and claims teams to identify trends, improve risk selection, and support complex claims discussions.
  • Monitor portfolio performance (loss ratios, rate adequacy, accumulation, exposure management) and implement corrective actions.
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, internal governance, sanctions/financial crime controls, and audit standards.
  • Support mentoring and technical development of junior underwriters and contribute to underwriting guidelines.
Required Skills & Experience
  • Significant construction underwriting experience within insurance or reinsurance markets, including complex and large-scale projects.
  • Strong technical knowledge of CAR/EAR, DSU/ALOP, construction liability, and project risk factors (geotechnical, tunnelling, marine interfaces, height works, NAT CAT).
  • Proven track record of broker management, negotiation, and profitable portfolio growth.
  • Sound understanding of reinsurance structures, line setting, capacity deployment, and aggregation controls.
  • Excellent analytical skills with confidence using underwriting and exposure tools; strong attention to detail.
  • Clear written and verbal communication skills in English; additional regional languages are advantageous.
  • Professional insurance qualifications (e.g., ACII/FCII or equivalent) preferred.
  • Right to work in Hong Kong or ability to obtain appropriate work authorisation.
What You Will Bring
  • Commercial judgement, integrity, and a disciplined approach to risk selection.
  • Regional APAC market connections, particularly across Southeast Asia.
  • Ability to operate autonomously while collaborating effectively across functions.
  • Commitment to delivering excellent service to brokers and clients.