AVP/VICE PRESIDENT, CONTRACT SURETY UNDERWRITING OFFICER

AVP/Vice President, Contract Surety Underwriting Officer

Industry: Insurance

Job Category: Finance / Accounting - Policy Underwriting

To bring leading talent into the organization and foster a culture of innovation and excellence, we encourage professionals from wide range of backgrounds and industries to apply and:

• Join a global company that gives you empowerment over your own activities, decisions, and territory.
• Use your credit/financial along with your analytical and relationship building skills to support the bonding needs of national and mid-market contractors and companies.
• Have the autonomy and freedom to be successful in your career.
• Experience a customized training program dedicated to those new joiners outside of the insurance industry.

A role as a Surety Underwriter will open up a world of opportunity in a growing and innovative industry. We are an insurance leader committed to developing our people, focusing on our customers, and building a sustainable future for our communities.

Our AVP/Vice President, Contract Surety Underwriting Officer are responsible for:

• Working with national and mid-market contractors to support their bonding needs (you will be trained on basic analysis tools and frameworks)
• Partnering with brokers to generate new business opportunities.
• Developing creative solutions to achieve Zurich’s underwriting strategy, while addressing customer needs
• Leading product and service ideation / conceptualization to stay ahead of the competition.
• Representing Zurich at external company functions, industry conferences, and marketing meetings

This is a highly technical and market facing position and requires experience with Surety lines of business. This position will be located in Texas area and will support a multi-state book of business. This position will require approximately 20% travel and a company car will be provided.

As an AVP/Vice President, Contract Surety Underwriting Officer you will be responsible for utilizing your sales/marketing, relationship building and analytical skills to analyze and underwrite new and renewal Surety business.

This is a market facing position and we are looking for someone with a strong sales mindset who will proactively seek renewal and new account opportunities, as well as identify growth opportunities. Building strong relationships with distributors (agents and brokers) and our customers in support of business retention and acquisition of new business is a key responsibility of this role. Identifying growth opportunities by determining our customers insurance needs and providing the right solutions will also be a critical responsibility of this position.

This role will be filled at either the AVP or Vice President Level. The hiring manager will determine the appropriate level based upon the selected applicants experience and skill set relative to the qualifications listed for this position.

Our AVP/Vice President, Contract Surety Underwriting Officer is responsible for:

• Production and underwriting of new and renewal Surety business.
• Handling of a large book of prominent accounts
• Internal marketing and production within Zurich North America in support of our cross-sell efforts
• Execution of the external marketing strategy
• Adherence to underwriting rules and guidelines, insurance laws, regulations and the Zurich Way of underwriting.
• Establish new as well as develop existing agency and broker relationships.
• Working within limits and authorities on assignments of varying degrees of complexity

AVP Contract Surety Underwriting Officer Basic Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 5 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area in Finance, Accounting, or Banking OR
• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 10 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area in Finance, Accounting, or Banking OR
• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an associate degree and 3 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area in Finance, Accounting, or Banking OR
• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an associate degree and 8 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area in Finance, Accounting, or Banking AND
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Experience working on time restraints for quotes on new and renewal business.
• Experience working in a team environment.

OR

Vice President, Contract Surety Underwriting Officer Basic Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 7 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area in Finance, Accounting, or Banking OR
• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 14 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area in Finance, Accounting, or Banking OR
• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an associate degree and 5 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area in Finance, Accounting, or Banking OR
• Zuriz Certified Insurance Apprentice including an associate degree and 12 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area in Finance, Accounting, or Banking

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced knowledge and practice of Surety Bonds
• Strong managerial, team building, and organizational skills
• Established Broker relationships
• Strong relationship, presentation skills, negotiation and leadership skills
• Ability to interact with the C-Suite
• Knowledge in risk selection and assessment
• Ability to manage complex portfolios.
• Technical knowledge of insurance industry operations and processes
• Knowledge of loss trends, triangles and ratemaking

Security Clearance Required: No

Visa Candidate Considered: No

Full-time

Benefits - Full

Relocation Assistance Available - No

Commission Compensation - No

Bonus Eligible - Yes

Overtime Eligible - No

Interview Travel Reimbursed - No

Candidate Details 5+ to 7 years experience

Seniority Level - Director

Management Experience Required - No

Minimum Education - High School Diploma or Equivalent

Willingness to Travel - Often