Sr. Underwriter Cyber

Howden Group; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401k with company match

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

DUAL North America, Inc. is seeking a Senior Underwriter for the Cyber division in a hybrid Chicago/NY role. You will shape underwriting frameworks and manage a portfolio of complex cyber risks, balancing profitability with coverage needs.

Lead account negotiations, provide technical guidance, and mentor junior team members while expanding broker relationships. Requires 5–8 years underwriting experience and relevant certifications; travel up to 25% is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in risk management, Finance, Business, or related field preferred.
• 5–8 years of underwriting experience.
• CPCU, AU or similar certifications preferred.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite complex insurance risks within granted level of authorities by identifying and analyzing risk exposures, loss frequency and severity against desired coverage.
• Ensure submissions meet underwriting standards for the program and are profitable.
• Curate a portfolio of business in accordance with Underwriting Guidelines and prescribed pricing tools, but has more discretion in curating the portfolio than an underwriter.
• Identify changes in account/ market risk exposures and loss trends to maximize profitability.
• Work with Manager to define and execute team production goals.
• Review referrals from Underwriters and Associate Underwriters.
• Provides technical guidance, coaching, and mentoring to others on the team and within the company; may formally manage 1-2 direct reports but is not required.
• Execute on annual new and renewal business goals by achieving agreed premium income and hitting quote numbers with desired hit ratios and retentions.
• Foster relationships with key producers by traveling to connect and attend events/meetings as needed.
• Gather and compile information required to quote and/or bind an account.
• Demonstrate advanced understanding of technical underwriting principles and risk underwriting characteristics in their line of business which could include key components of risk factors and how these progress over time, understanding basic exclusions and understanding more nuanced risks as well; may begin expanding knowledge of other lines of business as well.
• Keep up to date on market dynamics, competitive landscape, and product differences - communicate market intelligence to the broader group.
• Negotiate with producers within the limits of delegated authority and in accordance with established underwriting standards to achieve profit objectives.
• Underwriting Authority: Has Underwriting authority as outlined in LOA

Skills

Underwriting

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Broker relationships

Education

Bachelor's degree in risk management, Finance, Business, or a related field

CPCU/AU certification

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

At DUAL North America, our core values dictate how we live and work. We are a group with independence and people at its heart and we are a home for talent with a unique culture: the biggest small company in the world. The focus on being a People First business has always been at the very heart of the Group; Our vision was to create an independent business with a unique culture and one that would survive and thrive as a business controlled by the people working for it.

DUAL North America, Inc. is seeking a Sr. Underwriter Cyber Classification: Exempt/Full-Time Reports to: SVP Underwriting, Cyber & Technology Risk Travel: Up to 25% or more Salary: $115,000.00-170,000.00 Location: Chicago, IL, New York, NY, Hybrid Role overview DUAL North America is seeking a Senior Underwriter for the Cyber division.

At DUAL, Sr. Underwriters play a key role in shaping the underwriting framework, managing a portfolio of complex risks, and expanding broker relationships. In this role, you will provide technical expertise to evaluate insurance submissions, balancing risk exposure, coverage needs, and profitability.

Leading and collaborating with a team of underwriters in the Cyber division, you will assess high-stakes cyber risks, lead account negotiations, and support cyber product evolution in response to emerging threats. Your insights will influence both underwriting decisions and division strategy.

Role responsibilities

• Underwrite complex insurance risks within granted level of authorities by identifying and analyzing risk exposures, loss frequency and severity against desired coverage
• Ensure submissions meet underwriting standards for the program and are profitable
• Curate a portfolio of business in accordance with Underwriting Guidelines and prescribed pricing tools, but has more discretion in curating the portfolio than an underwriter
• Identify changes in account/ market risk exposures and loss trends to maximize profitability
• Work with Manager to define and execute team production goals
• Review referrals from Underwriters and Associate Underwriters
• Provides technical guidance, coaching, and mentoring to others on the team and within the company; may formally manage 1-2 direct reports but is not required
• Execute on annual new and renewal business goals by achieving agreed premium income and hitting quote numbers with desired hit ratios and retentions
• Foster relationships with key producers by traveling to connect and attend events/meetings as needed
• Gather and compile information required to quote and/or bind an account
• Demonstrate advanced understanding of technical underwriting principles and risk underwriting characteristics in their line of business which could include key components of risk factors and how these progress over time, understanding basic exclusions and understanding more nuanced risks as well; may begin expanding knowledge of other lines of business as well
• Keep up to date on market dynamics, competitive landscape, and product differences - communicate market intelligence to the broader group
• Negotiate with producers within the limits of delegated authority and in accordance with established underwriting standards to achieve profit objectives
• Underwriting Authority: Has Underwriting authority as outlined in LOA

Key requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in risk management, Finance, Business, or a related field preferred
• 5–8 years of relevant underwriting experience
• Professional certifications such as CPCU, AU, or similar designations preferred
• In-depth understanding of technical underwriting principles and risk assessment
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and decision-making skills
• Proven ability to manage and build broker and client relationships
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Demonstrated ability to handle complex risks with sound judgment
• Highly self-motivated with strong attention to detail
• Ability to travel up to 25% as required for client meetings, conferences, or industry events
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position approximately 50% of the time, with occasional movement throughout the office to access files and equipment

What we offer

A career that you define. Yes, we offer all the usual rewards and benefits - including medical, dental, vision, a wide variety of wellbeing offers, competitive salary, unlimited PTO, 401k with company match, paid volunteer days and more. We provide an environment where new ideas are encouraged and celebrated, where people who want to have a real hand in our success thrive. We want people who want to make a difference - not just in the workplace, but in the industry and in the wider community.

EEO Statement

We consider our people our chief competitive advantage and as such we treat colleagues, candidates, clients, and business partners with equality, fairness, and respect. DUAL North America provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. DUAL will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Howden began in 1994, as just three people and a dog. Now there are 23,000 of us, and we're a leading global insurance group, managing $37bn of premiums for our clients. Our largest shareholder group is us – the people who work in the business – supported by three long-term, minority growth-equity partners who share our vision to build a business to last, one that will never be sold. The owner's mindset is something that's embedded in our culture; our people readily take ownership of their decisions, their actions, and their outputs. They’re invested in every sense. And we all know that by working together to drive the business forward, everyone will benefit from the extraordinary results we can achieve.