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Head 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

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 ...

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 ...

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Head Underwriting information

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How much do head underwriting jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for head 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 highest paying underwriting job?

The highest paying underwriting roles are typically senior executive positions such as Chief Underwriting Officer or Head of Underwriting, which can earn substantial salaries including bonuses and profit sharing. These roles require extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership skills, often in large insurance or reinsurance companies. Compensation varies based on company size, location, and individual performance.

How much do head underwriters make?

Head underwriters typically earn between $100,000 and $200,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. They often oversee underwriting teams and use specialized software to assess risk and determine policy terms.

Will AI replace underwriting?

AI is increasingly used in underwriting to automate data analysis and risk assessment, enhancing efficiency and accuracy. However, human underwriters still play a vital role in complex decision-making, interpretation, and customer interaction, making full replacement unlikely in the near term.

What does a head of underwriting do?

A head of underwriting oversees the risk assessment and decision-making processes for insurance policies, ensuring that coverage terms are appropriate and profitable. They lead underwriting teams, develop policies, and analyze data to manage risk effectively, often requiring strong analytical skills and industry certifications. Their role is critical in maintaining the financial stability of an insurance company.

What is the difference between Head Underwriting vs Underwriting Manager?

AspectHead UnderwritingUnderwriting Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire underwriting department, sets strategic direction, manages senior underwritersManages underwriting team, reviews policies, ensures compliance and quality
Required CredentialsTypically requires professional underwriting certifications, extensive industry experienceSimilar credentials, often with underwriting certifications and leadership experience
Work EnvironmentExecutive-level, strategic focus, high-level decision makingOperational focus, team management, policy review
Industry UsageCommon in large insurance companies, corporate hierarchyFound in various insurance firms, often reporting to Head Underwriting

In summary, the Head Underwriting holds a strategic, leadership role overseeing the entire underwriting department, while the Underwriting Manager focuses on managing the underwriting team and daily operations. Both roles require similar credentials but differ in scope and level of responsibility.

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 extensive knowledge of risk assessment, underwriting principles, and insurance regulations, usually backed by a relevant degree and significant industry experience. Mastery of underwriting software, data analytics tools, and familiarity with compliance systems and professional certifications such as CPCU are commonly required. Leadership, strategic thinking, and strong negotiation and communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These capabilities are essential for effectively managing underwriting teams, ensuring profitable portfolios, and maintaining regulatory compliance.

What are some common challenges faced by a Head of Underwriting and how can they be addressed?

A Head of Underwriting often faces challenges such as balancing risk management with business growth objectives, keeping up with evolving regulatory requirements, and ensuring consistent underwriting standards across teams. To address these, effective communication with stakeholders, ongoing training for underwriters, and leveraging new technologies for risk assessment are essential. Building a collaborative culture and maintaining clear guidelines help ensure that both compliance and profitability goals are met.
More about Head Underwriting jobs
What cities are hiring for Head Underwriting jobs? Cities with the most Head Underwriting job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Underwriting jobs? The most popular types of Underwriting jobs are:
What states have the most Head Underwriting jobs? States with the most job openings for Head Underwriting jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Head Underwriting jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Head Underwriting jobs are:
Head Underwriting jobs near you
Infographic showing various Head Underwriting job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $140,035 per year, or $67.3 per hour.

Head of Underwriting Insurance Programs

PartnerRe

Stamford, CT • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

Company Description
PartnerRe is a leading, privately owned, multi-line global reinsurer with a reputation of financial stability and strength, and a commitment to rebuilding businesses and communities after risk events around the world.
Our mission is to continue to be a financially stable and predictable business partner, supporting our clients with solutions tailored to their needs, delivering superior returns to our owner, providing rewarding opportunities for our people and making a positive contribution to society. To achieve this, we live by our values of Integrity, Performance, Collaboration, Straightforward Communication and Respect and Care.
Core to The PartnerRe Experience is our global nature. No matter where you sit in the company, you are part of something bigger. Our teams represent our truly international mindset, forging connections across office locations and all levels of the organization and building a network of mutual success. The result is a day-to-day experience that will allow you to:
Shape your own career
Grow in a supportive environment
Connect with a community of experts
Make an impact
View Home - PartnerRe Experience e-book to find out more about what it's like to work at PartnerRe.
We are always looking for bright, proactive individuals to join our team!
Please follow our Careers page for all updates on new positions. We look forward to receiving your application.
PartnerRe is an equal opportunities employer.
Please join our company LinkedIn Page for all updates on new positions that are coming live.
Job Description:
The role is for Head of Underwriting, Insurance Programs. The primary responsibility of this role is to have 360-degree involvement in all aspects of the Insurance Programs unit - with particular emphasis on oversight of the underwriting function. As Head of Underwriting, you will be tasked with assisting the Head of Programs with all aspects of production, underwriting and operations. Over time, you should develop the knowledge, understanding and comfort level to manage all aspects of the Insurance Programs unit.
Ideally, the individual will have at least ten to fifteen years' experience in insurance and/reinsurance underwriting positions, with a well-balanced understanding of both casualty and property exposures, including professional liability. At a minimum, they should have a strong a proven track record underwriting either property or casualty business.
All program underwriters will report to the Head of Underwriting. The relationship here is to lead and support through our performance management system, serve as a role model for our underwriters, identify gaps in underwriting capabilities, and coach the team through complex business challenges.
With respect to production, your role will be to steadily develop and share first-call position with our key sources for new programs, and to begin to develop new contacts and relationships. The Head of Underwriting will be recognized as a senior contact/leader of Insurance Programs.
The Head of Underwriting will oversee the day-to-day activities of our existing program portfolio and the programs under review. They will work shoulder to shoulder with our underwriting team to ensure that the quality of our engagement with our MGA clients serves to ensure that we have clear line of sight on all aspects of program management: portfolio reviews, underwriting audits, claims, monitoring bordereau, reinsurance and financial results.
The depth of our operational capabilities is key to the success of the programs unit. The Head of Underwriting will be engaged with the development of our Target Operating Model and consult with the Head of Operations as new capabilities are launched. The Head of Underwriting will be an important voice in ensuring that we continue to improve our business platform.
Key Objectives:
  1. Become familiar with all aspects of each program in our portfolio. This includes the subject business, underwriting guidelines, accounting, claims handling, and current state of the MGA relationship.
  2. Become familiar with the Insurance Program landscape through researching the largest program managers, carriers and how PartnerRe's competitors operate within the space.
  3. Serve as primary support for the program underwriters to ensure that existing programs are receiving day-to-day oversight and that we anticipate potential issues before they occur.
  4. Endeavor to raise the qualitative and quantitative level of sophistication the underwriters bring to evaluating new opportunities and maintaining our in-force programs. Including but not limited to underwriting documentation and rationale, audit reports and the tracking of key metrics.
  5. Attend the Target Markets with the expectation of understanding how to effectively communicate our business proposition and leading discussions with potential customers.
  6. Provide insight and support to the Target Operational Model project. Provide consultative assistance as issues arise and anticipate deficiencies before we finalize our procedures.
  7. Evaluate and review reinsurance of new and existing programs to ensure PartnerRe's net position and coverage is appropriate.
  8. Establish and develop new relationships with key brokers and program managers in the marketplace.
  9. Annually review Insurance Program's Risk Appetite and how it aligns with the broader PartnerRe appetite.
  10. Overall responsibility with compliance with Internal Audit directives.

Qualifications:
  • Minimum of 10 years of relevant program, insurance, or reinsurance experience - preferably in both casualty and property lines. MGA experience is a plus.
  • Strong knowledge of the E&S market; primary insurance coverage and forms; and manual, exposure and experience rating techniques.
  • Solid understanding of actuarial and accounting concepts.
  • Managerial experience is preferred.
  • A college or university degree is required.

Additional Information
#LI-Hybrid:
PartnerRe provides a working environment in which diversity is valued, where all employees feel welcome, respected, and empowered to perform at their best. We invite you to learn more about D&I at PartnerRe.
Thank you,
PartnerRe Hiring Team

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