Senior Underwriter - Innovation Economy

Hiscox; Scottsdale (AZ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Hiscox USA seeks a Senior Underwriter - Innovation Economy to grow a profitable traded portfolio across Technology, Fintech, Health & Life Sciences, and Web3. The role emphasizes Life Sciences expertise, strong underwriting judgment, broker relationships, and the ability to handle large, complex accounts with accountability for growth and portfolio performance.

The position is production-focused, with responsibilities spanning pricing, terms, risk selection, and collaboration with Product,

Qualifications

• 6+ years of commercial insurance underwriting experience, preferably including Life Sciences.
• Experience underwriting Life Sciences or related segments is a plus.
• Ability to evaluate complex risks and make independent underwriting decisions.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage an individual portfolio of traded business.
• Underwrite new and renewal business across Technology, Fintech, Health & Life Sciences, and Web3.
• Develop and maintain relationships with brokers and distribution partners.
• Review exposures, establish coverage/terms, and negotiate pricing with partners.
• Collaborate with leadership and internal teams to support profitable growth.

Skills

Technical underwriting

Broker relationships

Life Sciences

Commercial insurance

Growth profitability

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Job Type:

Permanent

Build a brilliant future with Hiscox

Senior Underwriter - Innovation Economy

Hiring Manager: AVP, Underwriting Manager

Location: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Manhattan, West Hartford, Scottsdale

Role Type: Production Underwriting - Traded Team

Job Description:

The Senior Underwriter - Innovation Economy will be a key member of our traded underwriting team, responsible for underwriting and growing a profitable book of business across the innovation economy.

This is a production-focused underwriting role with individual accountability for growth, profitability, retention, and overall portfolio performance. The Senior Underwriter will evaluate and underwrite businesses across Technology, Fintech, Health & Life Sciences, and Web3, utilizing a broad range of commercial insurance products and coverages.

We are particularly interested in candidates with Life Sciences underwriting experience. While this individual will not own the overall Health & Life Sciences portfolio or serve as a formal practice leader, their Life Sciences expertise will make them an important resource to other members of the traded underwriting team when evaluating more complex Life Sciences risks.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical underwriting skills with commercial judgment, broker relationship management, and the ability to independently manage larger and more complex accounts.

Role Responsibilities:

As a Senior Underwriter, you will own and manage an individual portfolio of traded business while developing strong relationships with our distribution partners. You will be responsible for identifying attractive opportunities, structuring appropriate coverage, pricing risk, negotiating terms, and driving accounts through the underwriting process.

You will underwrite risks across Technology, Fintech, Health & Life Sciences, and Web3 and will be expected to develop a strong understanding of the exposures and insurance needs associated with companies throughout the innovation economy.

Your Life Sciences underwriting experience will also allow you to serve as a resource to other underwriters when evaluating Life Sciences opportunities, sharing technical knowledge and helping the broader team develop its capabilities in this segment.

Job Duties:

• Own individual underwriting results, including premium growth, profitability, retention, new business production, and overall portfolio quality.
• Underwrite new and renewal business across Technology, Fintech, Health & Life Sciences, and Web3, including larger and more complex accounts.
• Evaluate exposures, determine appropriate coverage and terms, establish pricing, and negotiate effectively with distribution partners.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with brokers and other distribution partners to generate submissions and identify new business opportunities.
• Proactively manage your pipeline and portfolio to achieve individual production and profitability goals.
• Apply sound underwriting judgment while operating within established appetite, guidelines, and underwriting authority.
• Serve as a Life Sciences underwriting resource for the traded team, providing guidance and perspective on complex Life Sciences risks when needed.
• Share knowledge and best practices that strengthen the team’s understanding of Life Sciences exposures without having direct responsibility for the overall Life Sciences portfolio.
• Identify emerging trends and changes in the innovation economy that may affect underwriting appetite, pricing, coverage, or portfolio performance.
• Collaborate with underwriting leadership, Product, Claims, Account Management, and other internal partners to support profitable growth and continually improve our underwriting capabilities.

About You:

• 6+ years of commercial insurance underwriting experience, preferably including meaningful experience underwriting Life Sciences companies.
• Strong technical underwriting skills with demonstrated experience evaluating complex risks and making independent underwriting decisions.
• Experience underwriting Professional and Specialty lines, with familiarity across multiple Commercial P&C coverages.
• Experience underwriting Technology, Fintech, Life Sciences, Web3, or other emerging and high-growth businesses is strongly preferred.
• Comfortable managing an individual book of business and being accountable for production, growth, profitability, and retention results.
• Strong broker relationship management and negotiation skills.
• Able to balance technical underwriting discipline with a commercial, solutions-oriented approach.
• Comfortable working across multiple industry segments rather than specializing exclusively in one vertical.
• Willing and able to share Life Sciences expertise with teammates while remaining primarily focused on individual underwriting and production responsibilities.
• Strong communication, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Dependable, positive, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities with excellent follow-through.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant professional experience.

Nice to Have:

• Significant underwriting experience within the Life Sciences industry, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, medical software, CROs, or related businesses.
• Experience underwriting multiple lines of coverage, including Management Liability, Cyber, Technology E&O, General Liability, Property, and/or Excess Liability.
• Experience working with startups, venture-backed companies, and high-growth businesses.
• CPCU, RPLU, or other relevant insurance designation.
• Active/current Property & Casualty license.
• Experience working in a fast-paced or evolving underwriting environment.

Hiscox Values:

At Hiscox our spirit is in Challenging Convention and everything we do is guided by our Values.

• Courage: Dare to take a risk
• Ownership: Passionate, commercial and accountable
• Integrity : Do the right thing, however hard
• Connected: Together, build something better
• Human: Clear, fair and inclusive

What Hiscox USA Offers:

• Competitive salary and bonus (based on personal & company performance)
• 401(k) with competitive company matching
• Comprehensive health insurance, vision, dental and FSA plans (medical, limited purpose, and dependent care)
• Company paid group term life, short- term disability and long-term disability coverage
• 24 Paid time off days, 2 Hiscox Days, 10 paid holidays, and ability to purchase 5 PTO days
• Paid parental leave
• 4 week paid sabbatical after every 5 years of service
• Financial Adoption Assistance and Medical Travel Reimbursement Programs
• Annual reimbursement up to $600 for health club membership or fees associated with any fitness program
• Company paid subscription to Headspace to support employees’ mental health and wellbeing
• Recipient of 2024 Cigna’s Well-Being Award for having a best-in-class health and wellness program
• Dynamic, creative and values-driven culture
• Modern and open office spaces, complimentary drinks

Salary Range: $140-$190k

The actual salary for this position will be determined by a number of factors, including the scope, complexity and location of the role; the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; and other conditions of employment

About Hiscox USA:

Hiscox USA underwrites small- to mid-market commercial risks through brokers, other insurers and distribution partners and directly to businesses. In 2026, gross written premiums for the segment will represent over $1bn. Circa 50% of the portfolio comprises small commercial business sold either online or through intermediaries, and the remaining 50% represents traditionally traded business intermediated through broking partners including Professions, Crisis Management and Specialist lines such as Media & Entertainment. Hiscox USA has built the digital business since 2010 through ongoing investment in the brand, technology and operational capabilities. The business has pursued an omni-channel approach since inception, and so are less constrained by the channel conflict which affects some competitors. Customers have a choice of buying policies online end-to-end, by connecting with a Hiscox agent over the telephone, or alternatively through a third-party broker or insurance carrier partner. The business follows an ‘all roads lead to Hiscox’ philosophy, ensuring it is available to do business with target customers whichever way they choose.

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