AVP Underwriting Cyber

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 a

AVP Underwriting Cyber

• Classification: Exempt/Full-time
• Reports to: EVP Underwriting, Cyber
• Travel: Up to 50% or more
• Salary: $140,000.00-$200,000.00 + Discretionary Annual Bonus
• Location: New York, NY, Chicago, IL, Hybrid

Role overview

DUAL North America is seeking an Assistant Vice President in Underwriting for the Cyber division.  

At DUAL, the AVP leads a team of Underwriters, setting and executing production goals aligned with divisional strategy. This role combines portfolio management with leadership, including coaching and performance management. The AVP is responsible for underwriting complex risks, developing key producer relationships, and driving business growth as a subject matter expert.

Leading and supporting a team of Underwriters in the Cyber division, you will lead the underwriting of high-severity reputational and operational risks, manage strategic broker partnerships, and drive product differentiation in a dynamic and emerging risk space.

Role responsibilities

• Define team production goals that align to division goals, and drive execution in both a hands-on fashion while also accomplishing work often through direct reports

• Coach, mentor and train junior and/or senior underwriters

• Typically manages a team of underwriters to include conducting performance reviews and providing input to merit recommendations, making termination decisions, etc.

• Review references from team members

• Curate a portfolio of business in accordance with Underwriting Guidelines and prescribed pricing tools; within the UW guidelines, AVP will have more authority and may start building their own book (or growing an existing book on their own)

• Execute on annual new and renewal business goals by achieving agreed premium income and hitting quote numbers with desired hit ratios and retentions

• Foster and build new relationships with key producers – expectation is to gain more business and place it

• Quote and/or bind accounts

• Acts as a subject matter expert for their respective business, and demonstrates advanced understanding of technical underwriting principles and risk underwriting characteristics which could include more nuanced risks, limits, and how to price for them

• Keep up to date on market dynamics, competitive landscape, and product differences and communicate market intelligence to the broader team and business

• Participating in Team Leader Meetings where applicable

• Hire in respective team, raise job reqs, participate in new hire interviews, and make hiring decisions where applicable

• Underwriting Authority: Has Underwriting authority as outlined in LOA

Key requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in risk management, finance, business, or a related field strongly preferred

• 8-10 years of relevant underwriting experience, with leadership exposure

• Professional certifications such as CPCU, AU, or similar designations strongly 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% or more 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

• If you do not meet all the qualifications for this role, we still encourage you to apply

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.

About Us

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.