Portfolio Manager at Markel in Leeds - UK

Job description

• At Markel, we're investing in the future of portfolio management, pricing and underwriting excellence. As part of this journey, we're seeking an experienced Portfolio Manager to join our newly established Portfolio Management & Pricing team and play a pivotal role in helping shape the future direction of our UK business.
• This is a rare opportunity to join a function at the beginning of its journey. You'll work alongside Alice Barnett, helping build new analytical capabilities, influence underwriting strategy and create the portfolio management frameworks that will support Markel's ambitious growth plans.
• Unlike many traditional actuarial roles, this position sits at the heart of the business.
• You'll work directly with Underwriters, Distribution Leaders and Executive Stakeholders, translating complex data into actionable commercial decisions that improve portfolio performance and profitability.
• This is more than a Portfolio Manager role. It's an opportunity to:
• Build a brand-new function from the ground up.
• Introduce your own ideas, processes and ways of working.
• Work at the forefront of portfolio management, analytics and AI-driven decision making.
• Gain significant visibility with senior leadership.
• Influence the future growth strategy of the UK business.
• Work in a highly collaborative and commercially focused environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead pricing model calibration and portfolio analysis across multiple product lines.
• Deliver strategic insights that influence underwriting and growth decisions.
• Analyse portfolio performance, identify trends and recommend actions to improve profitability.
• Support pricing of new products, schemes and delegated authority business.
• Partner closely with Underwriters to understand performance drivers and opportunities.
• Develop dashboards, MI and analytical tools that support business decision-making.
• Contribute to Quarterly Business Reviews and portfolio strategy discussions.
• Help build and develop a growing portfolio management capability within Markel UK.

Requirements

• We're looking for an individual who combines strong technical expertise with commercial thinking and exceptional stakeholder management skills.
• Qualified Actuary status.
• Significant experience within insurance pricing and portfolio management.
• Proven experience calibrating and developing pricing models.
• Strong analytical and data manipulation skills.
• Experience using SQL, Databricks, Python or similar coding tools.
• The ability to work autonomously and take ownership of complex projects.
• Outstanding communication and influencing skills.
• Experience translating technical insights into business recommendations.
• Commercial lines experience is preferred, although we are open to considering candidates from personal lines backgrounds who can demonstrate strong pricing expertise and a commercial mindset.

Skills

Preferred

• Qualified Actuary status
• Commercial lines experience