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Head Underwriting Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Constrafor

Head of Credit Underwriting

New York, NY · On-site

$2/hr

As the Head of Credit Underwriting at Constrafor, you will embark on an exhilarating journey to shape the future of our industry. You'll be at the forefront of our mission to elevate construction ...

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 ...

Guardianlife

Head of Underwriting Design Lab

Boston, MA · On-site

Position Summary The Head of Underwriting Design Lab is a newly created leadership position charged with leading Guardian's highly visible lab-based approach to underwriting transformation across the ...

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 Underwriting information

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How much do head underwriting jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 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.
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What cities are hiring for Head Underwriting jobs? Cities with the most Head Underwriting job openings:
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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, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $140,035 per year, or $67.3 per hour.

Head of Commercial Marine Underwriting

Mission Underwriting Managers LLC

Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

About Mission Underwriting Services
At Mission Underwriters, we provide the capital, issuing paper, and reinsurance access you need to launch your own Program Administrator (PA) business quickly and efficiently. We offer non-recourse capital for qualified underwriters, giving you a manageable risk profile with potential equity upside. By taking care of administrative complexities like compliance, risk management, accounting, and HR, we free you to focus on what you do best underwriting and distribution. Our turnkey platform gets you into the market in just a few months, minimizing disruption to your key relationships. With access to our network of highly rated issuing carriers and reinsurance partners, you can secure coverage with less stress and uncertainty. Built from the ground up, our purpose-driven technology simplifies workflows, enhances responsiveness, and eliminates the burden of outdated legacy systems.
What We Offer:
  • Remote First Work Environment (US Based)
  • Medical, Dental, Vision
  • 401K, 401K Match
  • Life and Disability Benefits
  • Unaccrued Paid Time Off
  • 11 Paid Holidays
  • Employee Discounts
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Educational Assistance Program
  • Employee Referral Program
  • Paid Parental Leave

Purpose:
Seafarer Marine is seeking a strategic, growth-oriented Head of Commercial Marine Underwriting to lead and expand our nationwide commercial marine underwriting operation. This executive leadership role is responsible for underwriting strategy, portfolio performance, broker and carrier relationships, talent development, and profitable growth across Seafarer's commercial marine book of business.
The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in ocean marine and commercial marine underwriting, including marinas, yacht clubs, boat dealers, charter operators, commercial fishing vessels, and related marine exposures. This leader will play a critical role in shaping underwriting appetite, expanding distribution partnerships, mentoring underwriting talent, and driving profitable growth across the organization.
Key Responsibilities
Underwriting Leadership
  • Develop and execute the underwriting strategy for Seafarer's commercial marine portfolio.
  • Establish underwriting guidelines, authority levels, pricing strategies, and risk selection standards.
  • Maintain portfolio profitability while driving sustainable premium growth.
  • Evaluate large, complex, and unique marine risks requiring executive underwriting authority.
  • Monitor loss trends, market conditions, and emerging marine exposures.

Portfolio Management
  • Oversee performance of the commercial marine book, including premium growth, retention, loss ratio, and profitability metrics.
  • Partner with actuarial, claims, and carrier partners to optimize underwriting results.
  • Identify opportunities to expand product offerings, market segments, and geographic reach.
  • Lead portfolio reviews and underwriting audits.

Team Leadership & Talent Development
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing underwriting team.
  • Provide coaching on underwriting analysis, risk assessment, broker negotiations, and portfolio management.
  • Participate in recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and succession planning initiatives.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Business Development & Broker Relationships
  • Build and maintain strategic relationships with retail and wholesale brokers nationwide.
  • Represent Seafarer at industry conferences, broker meetings, and marine industry events.
  • Partner with distribution teams to identify new business opportunities and strengthen broker engagement.
  • Support the acquisition and retention of key accounts.

Strategic Growth Initiatives
  • Partner with executive leadership to identify new marine products and market opportunities.
  • Evaluate expansion opportunities within commercial marine, ocean marine, inland marine, and specialty yacht segments.
  • Support carrier negotiations and capacity discussions.
  • Contribute to overall business planning and growth strategy.

Qualifications
Required Experience
  • 10+ years of commercial marine and/or ocean marine underwriting experience.
  • 5+ years of underwriting leadership or management experience.
  • Proven expertise underwriting:
    • Marinas
    • Yacht clubs
    • Boat dealers
    • Charter and excursion vessels
    • Commercial fishing vessels
    • Marine operators
    • Waterfront risks and related marine exposures
  • Demonstrated success managing profitable marine insurance portfolios.
  • Strong broker and distribution relationships within the marine insurance marketplace.

Preferred Experience
  • Experience with specialty yacht or inland marine products.
  • Experience leading underwriting teams in an MGA, carrier, program administrator, or specialty insurance environment.
  • Existing marine insurance carrier relationships.
  • Experience launching or expanding specialty insurance products.

Competencies
  • Executive leadership
  • Strategic thinking
  • Financial acumen
  • Portfolio management
  • Relationship building
  • Negotiation and influence
  • Talent development
  • Risk assessment and pricing expertise
  • Decision-making under delegated authority
  • Growth-focused mindset

Education & Certifications
  • Bachelor's degree required.
  • Insurance designations preferred:
    • CPCU
    • AMIM
    • ARM
    • AU
    • CRM or equivalent industry credentials

Why Join Seafarer Marine?
  • Lead a growing and highly specialized marine insurance platform.
  • Shape the future of a nationally recognized marine underwriting organization.
  • Work alongside experienced marine industry professionals.
  • Influence underwriting strategy and product expansion.
  • Participate in the company's long-term growth through ownership equity available for this role.
  • Join a company committed to innovation, entrepreneurial growth, and underwriting excellence

Working Conditions:
• Requires a quiet work environment with regular sitting at a computer for extended periods of time.
• Occasional walking and standing, and lifting of up to 10 lbs.
• Regular use of hands and fingers.
• Frequent talking or hearing.
• Vision requirements: Close, distance, color, peripheral, focus and depth perception.
Additional Information
This is a remote position. Planned, in-office activities may be required on occasion (typically 2-4x per year).
You must live in the United States and be authorized to work in the United States without requirement of employmentsponsorship/visa.

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