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Underwriter Manager Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Life Underwriter

West Des Moines, IA · On-site

$96K - $114K/yr

As a Senior Life Underwriter, you will be responsible for the total case management of all applications assigned. This position involves reviewing applications, examinations, laboratory and other ...

Senior Programs Underwriter

West Des Moines, IA · On-site

$96K - $114K/yr

Manages and underwrites an IPS portfolio of business. * Conduct regular program reviews, audits, and performance assessments to identify opportunities for improvement * Ensure compliance with ...

Senior Programs Underwriter

West Des Moines, IA · On-site

$96K - $114K/yr

Manages and underwrites an IPS portfolio of business. * Conduct regular program reviews, audits, and performance assessments to identify opportunities for improvement * Ensure compliance with ...

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Underwriter Manager information

See Iowa salary details

$45.1K

$96.8K

$148.9K

How much do underwriter manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for underwriter manager in Iowa is $96,822.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,300.00 and $113,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much does an underwriter manager earn?

An underwriter manager typically earns between $80,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the size of the organization. They often oversee underwriting teams, review complex policies, and require strong analytical and leadership skills.

What does an underwriter manager do?

An Underwriter Manager oversees a team of underwriters who evaluate and assess the risk of insuring clients or approving loans. They are responsible for ensuring that underwriting guidelines and compliance standards are met, reviewing complex cases, and making final decisions on high-value or high-risk applications. Additionally, they train and mentor staff, implement process improvements, and collaborate with other departments to optimize risk management strategies. Their role is vital in maintaining profitability and minimizing losses for the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an underwriter manager?

To thrive as an Underwriter Manager, you need a strong background in risk assessment, underwriting policies, and financial analysis, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in finance, business, or a related field. Expertise with underwriting software, risk management platforms, and familiarity with industry certifications such as CPCU or ARM are commonly expected. Leadership, decision-making, and effective communication skills set top performers apart by enabling them to guide teams and negotiate with stakeholders. These skills ensure sound risk evaluation, regulatory compliance, and efficient team management, which are critical for organizational profitability and growth.

What is the difference between Underwriter Manager vs Underwriter?

AspectUnderwriter ManagerUnderwriter
ResponsibilitiesOversees underwriting teams, develops policies, manages risk assessment strategiesPerforms individual risk assessments, approves or rejects insurance applications
CredentialsTypically requires a relevant insurance or finance certification, experience in underwritingRequires similar certifications, often with less managerial experience
Work EnvironmentManagement meetings, team supervision, strategic planningAnalyzing applications, assessing risks, making underwriting decisions
Industry UsageCommon in insurance companies, financial institutionsWidespread across insurance, reinsurance, and financial sectors

The main difference between an Underwriter Manager and an Underwriter is that the manager oversees the underwriting team and strategic processes, while the underwriter focuses on individual risk assessment and decision-making. Both roles require similar credentials, but the manager has additional leadership responsibilities.

Is an underwriting manager a good job?

An underwriting manager oversees the evaluation and approval of insurance applications, managing teams and ensuring risk assessment accuracy. The role typically offers a competitive salary, opportunities for advancement, and requires strong analytical, leadership, and communication skills. Job satisfaction depends on individual interests in risk management and leadership responsibilities.

What are some common challenges faced by underwriter managers when overseeing a team of underwriters?

Underwriter Managers often face challenges such as balancing workload distribution among team members, ensuring consistent application of underwriting guidelines, and keeping up with regulatory changes. They must also mentor junior underwriters, handle escalated cases, and foster collaboration between underwriting, sales, and compliance departments. Effective communication and adaptability are key, as Underwriter Managers need to support team development while meeting organizational targets and maintaining risk standards.
What are the most commonly searched types of Underwriter jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Underwriter jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Underwriter Manager jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Underwriter Manager job openings:
Infographic showing various Underwriter Manager job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,822 per year, or $46.5 per hour.

Senior Reinsurance Underwriting Manager

United Fire Group

Cedar Rapids, IA

$96K - $114K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

UFG is currently hiring a Senior Reinsurance Underwriting Manager who is responsible for leading a team of Reinsurance Underwriters while directly managing a profitable book of U.S. reinsurance business, ensuring disciplined risk selection, pricing, and portfolio performance in line with company strategy and underwriting standards.

The ideal candidate is collaborative by nature and possesses a strong grasp of industry business practices, with the ability to build and maintain senior-level relationships with brokers and ceding companies.

The Assumed Reinsurance business is a key component in our strategy to grow and create economic value.  The team supporting assumed reinsurance is comprised of senior leaders and experienced professionals acting together to selectively underwrite business that offers a material contribution toward our corporate performance goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

  • Lead, coach, and develop a team of Reinsurance Underwriters, providing technical guidance, feedback, and career development support.
  • Ensure underwriting practices comply with internal guidelines, regulatory requirements, and rating agency expectations, including documentation quality, file audits, and adherence to internal controls.
  • Oversee team workflow, capacity, and service standards to ensure timely quote turnaround, high-quality underwriting analysis, and consistent broker/client experience across the portfolio.
  • Lead the underwriting process for a portfolio of treaty submissions. Following our general process for underwriting reinsurance treaties, this person will lead the analysis and due diligence and will be a key contributor to growing the treaty portfolio.
  • Function as a senior underwriter on key accounts. The Senior Reinsurance Underwriting Manager will function as the lead underwriter on important treaty reinsurance accounts.
  • Review, price, and structure complex new and renewal treaty opportunities using actuarial models, exposure analysis, catastrophe modeling output, and qualitative judgment. Partner closely with actuaries, catastrophe modelers, claims, finance, operations, and legal/wordings to evaluate opportunities, structure solutions, and ensure accurate contract documentation and data quality.
  • Build, manage, and expand relationships with key brokers and ceding companies, leading negotiations of treaty terms, structures, and pricing while representing the company as a trusted risk partner in the market.
  • Monitor portfolio performance using KPIs such as premium growth, hit ratios, combined ratios, rate change, and aggregate/catastrophe accumulations; implement actions to improve profitability where needed.
  • Maintain awareness of US market trends, competitor behavior, and emerging risks; communicate relevant insights to senior management and incorporate them into underwriting tactics.
  • Support or lead special projects such as new product development, expansion into new segments or territories (including selected nonUS markets), underwriting process improvements, and automation/analytics initiatives.
  • Provide portfolio and account updates to senior management, including pipeline visibility, production and rate change trends, largeloss and catastrophe impacts, and forwardlooking views on market conditions.

Job Specifications: 

Education: 

  • Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, Finance, Economics, Statistics, or related field.
  • Graduate degree in business or quantitative discipline (e.g. MBA, Financial Engineering, Economics, etc.)

Experience:  

  • 15+ years in underwriting treaty reinsurance. 5+ years of experience leading or mentoring underwriters, with demonstrated ability to manage performance and develop talent.
  • Demonstrated experience in managing complex projects and implementing strategic plans
  • History of communicating complex findings to non-technical executive leadership
  • Proven track record underwriting U.S. P&C treaty business, including portfolio management responsibility and exposure to catastropheexposed property and casualty lines.
  • Experience building and managing broker and client relationships, including leading treaty negotiations and representing the company at market meetings, audits, and industry conferences.
  • Prior exposure to, or direct responsibility for, international or multiterritory treaty portfolios (e.g., London market, Bermuda, Europe, or Latin America) is strongly preferred.

Knowledge, skills & abilities: 

  • The successful candidate will be a proven leader.
  • The successful candidate understands what makes a financial impact on our business:
    • Knowledge and understanding of insurance industry products, services, and business practices
    • Knowledge and understanding of the challenges faced in the P&C insurance business.
    • Deep understanding of treaty reinsurance structures (quota share, surplus, excess of loss, aggregate, catastrophe), wordings, and common clauses, with the ability to identify and negotiate key terms and conditions.
    • Strong analytical and quantitative skills, including comfort working with large datasets, actuarial pricing output, catastrophe models, and portfolio management tools to inform underwriting decision.
    • Solid knowledge of US regulatory and ratingagency considerations relevant to assumed reinsurance, with awareness of how capital, solvency, and accounting frameworks affect underwriting strategy.
  • The successful candidate has personal traits:
    • Self-motivated, collaborative, creative, and diligent
    • Strong written and oral communication skills
    • Ability to speak publicly and build the UFG brand

Working Conditions: 

  • Remote (USA) or Cedar Rapids office.
  • General office environment with travel to industry events, reinsurance audits and broker visits. Occasional overseas travel.

Pay Transparency Statement:

UFG Insurance is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The base salary range for this position is $193,573 - $255,243 annually, which represents the typical range for new hires in this role. Individual pay within this range will be determined based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, education, certifications, skills, internal equity, geography and market data.

In addition to base salary, UFG Insurance offers a comprehensive total rewards package that includes:

• Annual incentive compensation
• Medical, dental, vision & life insurance
• Accident, critical Illness & short-term disability insurance
• Retirement plans with employer contributions
• Generous time-off program
• Programs designed to support the employee well-being and financial security.

This pay range disclosure is provided in accordance with applicable state and local pay transparency laws.