Head of Underwriting

Oliver James Group; New York (NY); On-site; USD 297,000 - 363,000; Full time

Job summary

Oliver James Group in New York is seeking a Head of Underwriting to lead a senior underwriting function, oversee a portfolio of delegated programs and guide business development and governance initiatives.

You will collaborate with program underwriters and operations leadership to ensure performance, evolve underwriting standards and strengthen MGA/broker relationships in a fast-growing market.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience across insurance programs, underwriting or reinsurance.
• Strong understanding of the US E&S market and delegated underwriting arrangements.
• Exposure to MGA relationships, program management or carrier oversight is desirable.
• Knowledge of underwriting methodologies, exposure analysis, manual rating and pricing.
• Experience leading underwriting teams and mentoring professionals.
• Strong commercial judgment and relationship management skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee performance and development of a portfolio of delegated underwriting programs.
• Provide day-to-day guidance to the underwriting team and ensure robust documentation.
• Maintain oversight of delegated underwriting relationships through portfolio reviews, audits and claims analysis.
• Build and maintain relationships with MGAs, program administrators and brokers to identify new partnerships.
• Evaluate opportunities against standards and objectives; support governance enhancements as programs expand.
• Review reinsurance structures to align with risk objectives and monitor portfolio performance.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Portfolio management

Underwriting

Negotiation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent university qualification

Job description

Head of Underwriting

Location: New York / Stamford, CT

Salary: up to $330,000 + Package (depending on experience)

Compensation: Competitive salary and bonus

The Opportunity

This is a senior role combining underwriting leadership, portfolio oversight and business development. The successful individual will work closely with program underwriters and operational leadership to ensure existing partnerships perform effectively, new opportunities are thoroughly assessed, and underwriting standards continue to evolve alongside the business.

You will play a key role in strengthening relationships with MGAs and brokers, improving portfolio governance, and helping shape the operational infrastructure required to support the next phase of growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Portfolio Management: Oversee the performance and ongoing development of an established portfolio of delegated underwriting programs, maintaining a strong understanding of underwriting strategy, claims, financial performance and operational processes across each partnership.
• Underwriting Oversight: Provide day-to-day guidance to the underwriting team, ensuring consistent decision-making, robust documentation and effective monitoring of program performance.
• MGA Governance: Maintain strong oversight of delegated underwriting relationships through regular portfolio reviews, underwriting audits, claims analysis and bordereaux monitoring.
• Business Development: Build and maintain relationships with key MGAs, program administrators and brokers, helping identify attractive new partnerships and supporting discussions with prospective clients.
• New Program Assessment: Evaluate prospective opportunities against underwriting standards, commercial objectives and the organisation's broader risk appetite.
• Operational Development: Partner with operational leadership to enhance internal processes, strengthen governance frameworks and support the introduction of new capabilities as the programs business expands.
• Reinsurance Strategy: Review the reinsurance structures supporting existing and prospective programs, ensuring appropriate coverage and alignment with the organisation's risk objectives.
• Risk & Performance: Monitor portfolio trends, underwriting results and key performance indicators, identifying emerging concerns and opportunities for improvement.
• Market Intelligence: Develop a strong understanding of the US programs market, including competitor strategies, leading program administrators and evolving market opportunities.
• Compliance & Controls: Ensure programs operate within established governance frameworks, internal policies and audit requirements, promoting a consistent and disciplined approach to underwriting.

Experience & Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience across insurance programs, underwriting or reinsurance, ideally spanning both property and casualty.
• Strong understanding of the US E&S market, primary insurance products, policy forms and delegated underwriting arrangements.
• Previous exposure to MGA relationships, program management or carrier-side oversight of delegated authority is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of underwriting methodologies, exposure analysis, manual rating and experience-based pricing.
• Sound understanding of insurance financial performance, actuarial principles and accounting fundamentals.
• Experience providing leadership, mentoring or oversight to underwriting professionals.
• Strong commercial judgement, analytical capability and relationship management skills.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent university qualification.