Underwriter Upper Middle Market Property

4001US00 DUAL North America Inc; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Unlimited PTO

401k with company match

Paid volunteer days

Job summary

DUAL North America, Inc. is seeking an Underwriter for the Upper Middle Market Property division. The role shapes underwriting framework, evaluates insurable risk, and supports profitable portfolio growth across major markets in Chicago, Atlanta, and New York with hybrid work options.

You will analyze submissions, price risks, and collaborate with brokers to expand relationships. This exempt/full-time position requires 1–5 years of underwriting experience and relevant certifications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in risk management, Finance, Business or a related field preferred.
• Professional certifications like CPCU/AU or similar designations a plus.
• Solid understanding of underwriting principles and risk assessment.

Responsibilities

• Meet individual and team production goals that are mutually developed and agreed upon.
• Curate a portfolio of business in accordance with Underwriting Guidelines and prescribed pricing tools with minimal discretion, ensuring submissions meet underwriting standards for the program and are profitable.
• Evaluate, select, classify and rate/price each risk; establish the standards of coverage and amount of protection to be offered.
• 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 assigned producers.
• Gather and compile information required to quote and/or bind an account.
• Generate, edit, and send out a variety of correspondence such as declination letters, quote follow ups and subjectivity reminders.
• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of technical underwriting principles and risk underwriting characteristics in their business line.
• Keep up to date on market dynamics, competitive landscape, and product differences and communicate market intelligence to the broader team.
• Travel may be required up to 20% or more as needed for the business for producer meetings and events as necessary.
• Fill in for other team members to ensure business continuity during peak periods and/or when team members are unavailable.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Negotiation

Communication skills

Underwriting knowledge

Risk assessment

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in risk management/finance/business

CPCU/AU or similar designation

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. And finding the most talented and entrepreneurial people to join the Group has been and will continue to be key. DUAL North America, Inc. is seeking an Underwriter Upper Middle Market Property. Classification: Exempt/Full-time. Reports to: Sr Underwriter or above. Travel: Up to 20% or more. Salary: $80,000-$115,000. Location: Chicago, IL; Atlanta, GA; New York, NY; Hybrid.

DUAL North America is seeking an Underwriter for the Upper Middle Market Property division. At DUAL, underwriters play a key strategic role in shaping the underwriting framework and expanding broker relationships. In this role, you will provide expertise in risk evaluation, manage new and renewal submissions, and support profitable portfolio growth. In collaboration with other underwriters in the Upper Middle Market Property division, you will evaluate insurable risk, critical catastrophe exposures and pricing models related to property in order to produce an underwriting portfolio of profitable business.

Role responsibilities

• Meet individual and team production goals that are mutually developed and agreed upon.
• Curate a portfolio of business in accordance with Underwriting Guidelines and prescribed pricing tools with minimal discretion, ensuring submissions meet underwriting standards for the program and are profitable
• Evaluate, select, classify and rate/price each risk; establish the standards of coverage and amount of protection to be offered.
• 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 assigned producers
• Gather and compile information required to quote and/or bind an account
• Generate, edit, and send out a variety of correspondence such as declination letters, quote follow ups and subjectivity reminders
• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of technical underwriting principles and risk underwriting characteristics in their business line
• Keep up to date on market dynamics, competitive landscape, and product differences and communicate market intelligence to the broader team
• Travel may be required up to 20% or more as needed for the business for producer meetings and events as necessary
• Fill in for other team members to ensure business continuity during peak periods and/or when team members are unavailable

Underwriting Authority

• Within 90-180 days it is expected that underwriting authority via LOA would be issued
• Underwriting authority will be granted in accordance with experience level

Key requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in risk management, Finance, Business or a related field preferred
• 1-5 years underwriting experience preferably in the property catastrophe industry segment
• Professional certifications like CPCU/AU or similar designations a plus
• Solid understanding of underwriting principles and risk assessment
• Strong analytical, negotiation and decision-making skills
• Excellent written, verbal and client-facing communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Ability to follow policies and procedures
• Self-motivated with strong attention to detail
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time, with occasional movement in the office to access cabinets and equipment
• Ability to travel up to 20% or more as required for client meetings, conferences, or industry events
• If you do not meet all the qualifications for this role, we still encourage you to apply, as we are always looking for diverse talent to join our growing team

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 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.