Munich Re

Head of Portfolio Underwriting

Munich Re$177K — $280K *
Finance & Insurance
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in relevant fields like Business Administration or Risk Management.
  • 7+ years of underwriting or insurance experience, ideally in commercial or property sectors.
  • Experience in portfolio management or product-driven insurance settings.
  • Proven track record in team leadership and talent development.
  • Strong analytical skills with P&L management experience.
  • Background in driving strategy within complex insurance environments.
  • Advanced degree or professional designation preferred (e.g., CPCU).

Responsibilities

  • Lead and develop a high-performing underwriting team through effective coaching and performance management.
  • Establish expectations for portfolio ownership and client engagement.
  • Set and execute portfolio growth targets in partnership with stakeholders.
  • Own the financial results of the portfolio, ensuring growth and profitability.
  • Analyze portfolio performance to identify trends affecting pricing and strategy.
  • Provide expert guidance on complex underwriting decisions.
  • Ensure compliance with underwriting guidelines and regulatory requirements.
  • Drive improvements in underwriting processes and technology.
  • Partner with Product Managers to influence product strategy.
  • Lead change management initiatives for product and process enhancements.

Benefits

  • Health insurance coverage
  • Employee wellness program
  • Life and disability insurance
  • Retirement savings plan
  • Paid holidays and paid time off (PTO)
Full Job Description
This role is part of our Custom Risk Solutions division, which focuses on the fast-growing segment of the P&C market, including E&S carriers, large commercial risk writers, MGAs, programs, Lloyds, and pools. The division manages over 100 client relationships and has ambitious growth goals.

Open to all HSB/Munich Re Offices + Remote Options

About the Role

The Head of Portfolio Underwriting leads a group of Underwriters and collaborates with Product Managers for guidance on product directives and execution of client initiatives. This role is accountable for the profitable growth of all Alternative Markets Portfolio business.

The role works with the Alternative Markets Leadership Team, Product Management and Group Corporate Underwriting (GCU) to implement and communicate underwriting policies and procedures and provide underwriting expertise to the Portfolio Underwriting staff for all product offerings. Ensures policies, procedures and insurance documentation are compliant with established corporate, regulatory, and legal requirements.

This role requires close collaboration with internal stakeholders to communicate HSB's value proposition, ensure strong product performance, and deliver excellent client experience. The Head of Underwriting will have underwriting binding authority via their letter of authority.

Key Responsibilities
• Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing underwriting team through coaching, performance management, and talent development
• Establish clear expectations for portfolio ownership, monitoring cadence, client engagement, and documentation standards
• Set portfolio growth targets and partner with leadership, Finance, and stakeholders to execute product-specific growth strategies
• Own delivery of portfolio financial results including growth, profitability, and underwriting gains
• Analyze portfolio performance to identify opportunities, risks, and emerging trends impacting pricing and underwriting strategy
• Provide underwriting expertise, guidance, and escalation support for complex risks, referrals, and coverage decisions
• Ensure adherence to underwriting guidelines, regulatory requirements, and internal governance standards
• Drive continuous improvement across underwriting processes, systems, and portfolio execution
• Partner with Product Managers and internal stakeholders to influence product strategy and investment decisions
• Lead change management initiatives related to product, process, and technology enhancements

Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience in Business Administration, Risk Management, Marketing, Product Management, or a related field
• 7+ years of underwriting or relevant insurance experience, preferably with commercial or property exposure
• Experience in portfolio management, underwriting strategy, or product-driven insurance environments
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing teams with strong mentoring and leadership capabilities
• Strong analytical and financial acumen with experience managing P&L and influencing business results
• Experience driving strategy and execution in a complex insurance or product environment
• Advanced degree or professional designation (e.g., CPCU) preferred

Knowledge & Skills
• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills
• Ability to influence stakeholders and present effectively to executive-level audiences
• Customer-centric mindset with strong understanding of client needs and expectations
• Strategic thinker with the ability to drive innovation and continuous improvement
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills in complex underwriting environments
• Ability to collaborate cross-functionally and drive organizational alignment
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written) with ability to tailor messaging to different audiences
• Highly proactive with strong initiative and ability to manage ambiguity
• Ability to translate data-driven insights into actionable underwriting strategies
• Strong organizational awareness and ability to navigate and influence complex organizations

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

The Company is open to considering candidates in numerous locations, including California. The salary range posted below applies to the Company's Hartford CT location.
• The salary range for this position is $ 177,000 - $280,000, plus opportunity for company bonus. In addition, the company provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays and paid time off (PTO).
• The salary estimate displayed represents the typical salary range of candidates hired. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include your specific skills, how many years of experience you have and comparisons to other employees already in this role. Most candidates will start in the bottom half of the range.

About Munich Re

Munich Re is a leading global provider of reinsurance, primary insurance and insurance-related risk solutions. The company is headquartered in Munich, Germany. Munich Re operates in all lines of insurance and has a presence in all major markets worldwide. Munich Re's business model is based on the combination of primary insurance and reinsurance under one roof. The company has three business segments: reinsurance, primary insurance, and Munich Health. Munich Re's global premium income amounted to ?54.5 billion in 2020.
Learn more about Munich Re
Size
41,000 employees
Industry

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