National Commercial Programs Underwriting Manager

Job Description

Drive the evolution of NM Insurance's Commercial Property and Liability portfolio, delivering sustainable growth, profitability, and market impact.

NM Insurance is a market-leading underwriting agency operating across Australia and New Zealand, providing specialist insurance solutions supported by dedicated underwriting, claims, product, pricing, finance, legal, risk, and compliance teams.

As we continue to grow our Commercial Lines business, we are seeking an experienced National Commercial Programs Underwriting Manager to oversee the performance, strategy, and governance of our Commercial Property and Liability portfolio.

Reporting to the Executive General Manager Underwriting and Portfolio, you will be responsible for delivering profitable portfolio growth, underwriting excellence, and strong customer outcomes through effective risk selection, pricing discipline, stakeholder engagement, and people leadership. Working closely with brokers, insurer partners, and internal teams, you will contribute to portfolio strategy, product development, governance, and continuous improvement initiatives.

This role offers the opportunity to influence the future direction of NM Insurance's Commercial Lines business while developing high-performing underwriting capability and strengthening our position in the market.

Job Requirements

• Extensive experience in Commercial Property and Liability underwriting, including portfolio management and performance accountability.
• Proven success delivering portfolio growth, retention, profitability, and loss ratio targets.
• Demonstrated leadership experience developing high-performing underwriting teams through coaching, mentoring, and capability uplift.
• Strong technical underwriting expertise with the ability to assess complex risks and make sound commercial decisions.
• Experience managing senior broker, insurer partner, and stakeholder relationships to support growth and portfolio objectives.
• Strong analytical and strategic capability, with the ability to interpret portfolio data, trends, and performance metrics to drive business outcomes.
• Proven experience operating within underwriting guidelines, delegated authorities, governance frameworks, and risk appetite settings.
• Sound understanding of Australian and New Zealand insurance regulations, compliance obligations, and delegated authority arrangements.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills, with the ability to engage confidently across all levels of the business.
• High attention to detail and commitment to underwriting quality, governance, and regulatory compliance.
• Commercially astute, balancing customer outcomes, risk management, and sustainable portfolio performance.
• Tertiary qualifications in Business, Insurance, Risk Management, Finance, Law, or a related discipline (desirable).
• ANZIIF qualifications or equivalent professional insurance accreditation (desirable).
• Commitment to continuous learning, professional development, and continuous improvement.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop and execute underwriting strategies that deliver sustainable growth, profitability, and portfolio performance across Commercial Property and Liability.
• Manage portfolio performance, including Gross Written Premium, retention, loss ratios, claims trends, and emerging risks.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance on complex underwriting decisions, referrals, and risk assessments.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with brokers, insurer partners, and key stakeholders to support business growth and market presence.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing underwriting team, fostering accountability, collaboration, and technical excellence.
• Collaborate with Product, Pricing, Claims, Risk, Compliance, Legal, and Finance teams to achieve commercially sound and customer-focused outcomes.
• Contribute to portfolio planning, product development, pricing initiatives, and strategic business objectives.
• Ensure consistent application of underwriting guidelines, delegated authorities, governance frameworks, and risk appetite requirements.
• Act as the escalation point for complex underwriting, governance, and compliance matters.
• Monitor and manage portfolio, operational, compliance, and reputational risks.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, internal policies, and delegated authority arrangements across Australia and New Zealand.
• Maintain accurate reporting, documentation, and audit-ready underwriting practices.
• Provide portfolio insights and performance reporting to support strategic decision-making.
• Drive innovation, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement across underwriting activities and customer outcomes.

Employee Benefits

At NM Insurance Pty Ltd, our values guide every decision we make. We prioritise our customers, act with integrity, encourage continuous learning, strive for excellence, and work together as one team.

As an NM Insurance Employee you will have access to and benefit from:

• The ability to maximise retirement savings through voluntary superannuation contributions in addition to company contributions Group Life Insurance Policies
• Travel Insurance Discounts on: Motor Vehicle purchases, Car Hire & Health

We value our employee’s experience with us and are proud of our Values and Behaviours:

• Customer First
• Doing What is Right
• Results Driven
• One Team Learn and Grow

Salary

160000 - 175000 AUD (yearly)