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Head Of Underwriting Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Munich RE

Head of Portfolio Underwriting

Hartford, CT · On-site

The Head of Underwriting will have underwriting binding authority via their letter of authority. Key Responsibilities * Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing underwriting team through coaching ...

Munich Re

Head of Portfolio Underwriting

Hartford, CT · On-site +1

The Head of Underwriting will have underwriting binding authority via their letter of authority. Key Responsibilities Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing underwriting team through coaching ...

Munich Re

Head of Portfolio Underwriting

Hartford, CT · On-site

The Head of Underwriting will have underwriting binding authority via their letter of authority. Key Responsibilities • Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing underwriting team through ...

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Head Of Underwriting information

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How much do head of underwriting jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for head of underwriting in the United States is $140,035.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,000.00 and $168,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Head Of Underwriting vs Underwriting Manager?

AspectHead Of UnderwritingUnderwriting Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire underwriting strategy, sets policies, manages teams at a senior levelManages underwriting teams, reviews policies, ensures compliance at a departmental level
Required CredentialsTypically requires extensive underwriting experience, industry certifications, leadership skillsRequires underwriting experience, certifications, managerial skills
Work EnvironmentStrategic, leadership-focused, often part of senior managementOperational, team management, hands-on underwriting tasks

The Head Of Underwriting focuses on strategic leadership and policy setting across the organization, while the Underwriting Manager handles day-to-day team management and operational tasks. Both roles require industry experience and certifications, but differ mainly in scope and level of responsibility.

What are some common challenges faced by a head of underwriting when leading a team?

A Head of Underwriting often faces challenges such as balancing risk management with business growth targets, ensuring consistency in underwriting decisions across the team, and adapting to evolving regulations and market conditions. Additionally, they must foster effective communication between underwriters, sales teams, and senior management to align objectives and streamline processes. Leading ongoing training and maintaining team motivation are also crucial for sustaining high performance and adapting to new underwriting technologies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a head of underwriting, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Head of Underwriting, you need deep expertise in risk assessment, financial analysis, and insurance products, typically supported by a relevant degree and significant industry experience. Familiarity with underwriting software, advanced analytics tools, and regulatory compliance systems is vital. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and effective communication skills set top performers apart in this role. These abilities ensure sound risk management, team effectiveness, and the achievement of organizational goals in a competitive insurance market.
What cities are hiring for Head Of Underwriting jobs? Cities with the most Head Of Underwriting job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Of Underwriting jobs? The most popular types of Of Underwriting jobs are:
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Head Of Underwriting jobs near you
Infographic showing various Head Of Underwriting job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $140,035 per year, or $67.3 per hour.

Head of Underwriting

Delos Insurance Solutions

San Francisco, CA • On-site, Remote

$175K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

About Delos Insurance Solutions
Delos Insurance Solutions is a tech-enabled MGA focused on underwriting complex homeowners risks, particularly in catastrophe-exposed regions. We combine proprietary risk models with a modern tech stack and deep insurance expertise. Backed by top-tier VCs, we're growing rapidly and are looking for high-impact team members to help us scale.
Position Overview:
The Head of Underwriting is responsible for leading the company's underwriting function, driving risk selection, pricing discipline, and portfolio performance. This role combines strategic ownership with team leadership, ensuring underwriting excellence through strong guidelines, data-driven decision-making, and consistent execution.
The Head of Underwriting plays a critical role in balancing growth and profitability, particularly in catastrophe-exposed portfolios, while building a high-performing underwriting team. This role also proactively identifies opportunities to streamline processes and implement automation, leveraging a forward-thinking approach to position the organization for long-term success in an evolving industry.
Key Responsibilities:
Underwriting Strategy & Leadership
• Define and execute underwriting strategy aligned with company risk appetite and growth goals
• Establish clear underwriting frameworks, guidelines, and authority structures
• Lead and develop the underwriting team to ensure consistent, high-quality decision-making
Team Management & Development
• Manage, mentor, and scale a team of underwriters
• Set performance expectations, KPIs, and accountability standards
• Foster a culture of discipline, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Portfolio Management
• Own portfolio performance, including loss ratio, exposure, and concentration risk
• Monitor trends and adjust underwriting strategy based on performance and market conditions
• Actively manage catastrophe exposure, including wildfire and other perils
Pricing & Risk Selection
• Ensure alignment between underwriting decisions and pricing models
• Partner with actuarial and data teams to refine segmentation and risk selection
• Maintain balance between growth targets and profitability
Data & Analytics Integration
• Drive adoption of data-driven underwriting tools, models, and risk scores
• Collaborate with data science teams to improve model performance and usability
• Ensure underwriting decisions are informed by robust analytics and insights
Reinsurance & Risk Alignment
• Partner with reinsurance to align underwriting strategy with risk transfer programs
• Ensure portfolio construction reflects reinsurance structures and constraints
• Support optimization of retention and exposure
Governance & Compliance
• Ensure underwriting practices meet regulatory requirements and internal controls
• Maintain clear documentation, auditability, and consistency
• Support regulatory interactions and internal reviews
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• Collaborate with claims, finance, and revenue teams to align on performance and strategy
• Provide insights into loss drivers and emerging risks
• Serve as a key advisor to executive leadership on portfolio risk and growth
Qualifications:
  • 10-15+ years of underwriting experience, preferably in property insurance
  • Active Property & Casualty (P&C) insurance license in at least one U.S. state is required. If not currently licensed in California, candidates must be able to obtain a California Non-Resident Property & Casualty license within 90 days of hire.
  • Proven leadership experience managing and developing underwriting teams
  • Strong expertise in catastrophe-exposed risks; wildfire experience strongly preferred
  • Deep understanding of underwriting, pricing, and portfolio management
  • Experience in insurtech or data-driven underwriting environments preferred
  • Familiarity with regulatory and compliance frameworks

Compensation and Benefits
• Competitive salary plus equity stock options
• Flexibility to work from anywhere in the United States
• Unlimited PTO, including sick leave and company holidays
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. (25% paid by employee, 75% covered by Delos including dependents)
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Professional development opportunities and tuition assistance
The pay range for this role is:
175,000 - 200,000 USD per year (Remote (San Francisco, CA, US))

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