AVP - Underwriter Team Lead, Middle Market

Are you looking for your next opportunity?

Sompo has a unique opportunity for an AVP - Underwriter Team Lead on our Middle Market team. Our Middle Market Underwriting team offers diverse multi-line capabilities targeted at select industry verticals such as real estate, hospitality, financial institutions, professional services, technology, and manufacturing. We work through a network of retail brokers who share our commitment to long‑term partnerships built on a strong service proposition.

This position will be based out of our Chicago, IL office. We strive for collaboration, which is why we offer a work environment where our employees thrive and develop long‑lasting careers.

• Managing a team of local underwriters situated in the Chicago market; coaching and developing a team across a variety of experience levels in both technical and market‑facing skills
• Coordinating production underwriting activity regarding traveling/marketing and target production plans
• Prioritize and evaluate new and renewal submissions with the team to identify those accounts that provide the greatest opportunity for profit consistent with the business plan and corporate profit objectives
• Price and analyze coverage, structure, and exposures on individual risks
• Utilize/Drive Data Analytics within team to sharpen underwriting strategy & uncover opportunities both internally & externally to improve process
• Authorize quotes/binders/invoices as appropriate within own authority level
• Reinforce region‑specific product strategies that best align internal and external stakeholders to win.
• Support our focus of building strong customer relationships balanced with a strong risk mitigating and compliance‑driven culture
• Focused proactive monitoring, governance, risk identification and escalation, as well as making sound risk decisions commensurate with the business unit’s risk appetite
• Exercise proper underwriting pricing and discipline to meet profitability goals, complying with underwriting guidelines, systems, and procedures
• Expand existing portfolio of business by developing existing relationships and new prospective clients
• Utilize broker and distribution resources to identify target opportunities and mobilize team to pipeline and Support growth by strategically pursuing promising opportunities
• Attend client/broker meetings, lunches, dinners, and other social outings as applicable
• Keep current on state/territory issues, regulations, and trends
• Basic understanding and ability to use sophisticated pricing models across various structures: guaranteed cost, SIRs, deductibles, etc.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• Preferred minimum of 8 years of underwriting experience with authority
• Deep underwriting experience across all lines of business including Property, Auto, General Liability, Umbrella, and Workers’ Compensation
• Experience with accounts of all sizes involving large brokerage houses, agents, and specialty retailers
• Proven track record in underwriting, quoting, and binding profitable business
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, with clarity and purpose
• Excellent organizational skills, integrity, and follow‑through
• Comfortable challenging norms and collaborating at all organizational levels
• Strong sense of accountability
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong business relationships with insureds, agents, and brokers
• Strong customer service orientation with a reputation for responsiveness and relationship preservation
• Willingness to travel to market assigned territory to include overnight trips (25%)
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft suite products

Salary Range: $120k-$195K Actual compensation for this role will depend on several factors including the cost of living associated with your work location, your qualifications, skills, competencies, and relevant experience.

At Sompo, we recognize that the talent, skills, and commitment of our employees drive our success. This is why we offer competitive, high‑quality compensation and benefit programs to eligible employees.

Our compensation program is built on a foundation that promotes a pay‑for‑performance culture, resulting in higher…