Senior Underwriter, Transactional Surety

Position Summary The Transactional Commercial Surety Underwriter is responsible for underwriting, pricing, and managing a portfolio of transactional surety business across a broad range of bond types nationwide. This role partners closely with agents and brokers to drive new business growth, maintain profitability, and deliver exceptional service standards in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. Key Responsibilities Underwriting & Risk Assessment Evaluate and underwrite transactional commercial surety submissions, including but not limited to motor vehicle dealer (MVD), license & permit, subdivision, court, contract-related transactional, mortgage broker, and specialty bonds. Analyze financial statements, credit reports, and supporting documentation to assess risk and determine appropriate terms, conditions, and pricing. Apply underwriting authority to approve, decline, or modify submissions in alignment with company guidelines and risk appetite. Ensure compliance with internal underwriting standards, regulatory requirements, and state-specific bond obligations. Production & Portfolio Management Manage a high volume of transactional submissions while maintaining strong turnaround times and service levels. Monitor and manage a book of business to ensure profitability, retention, and appropriate risk diversification. Identify opportunities for cross-selling and account expansion within existing agency relationships. Agent/Broker Relationship Management Build and maintain strong relationships with agency partners to drive submission flow and grow market share. Communicate underwriting decisions effectively, including providing clear rationale and alternative solutions when appropriate. Negotiate terms, pricing, and commission structures to remain competitive while maintaining underwriting discipline. Act as a market-facing representative to support agency growth and retention initiatives. Business Development Support new business development efforts by identifying target agencies and producers within the transactional surety space. Participate in agency visits, industry events, and networking opportunities to strengthen relationships and increase brand presence. Collaborate with leadership to execute strategic growth initiatives within the transactional surety segment. Operational Excellence Maintain accurate documentation and records within underwriting systems. Ensure timely issuance of bonds, endorsements, renewals, and cancellations. Partner with internal teams (claims, legal, compliance, operations) as needed to support business objectives. Qualifications & Experience 2+ years of experience in commercial surety underwriting, with a focus on transactional business required Established relationships within the surety agency/broker community required Proven experience underwriting a broad range of bond types (e.g., MVD, subdivision, license & permit, court, contractor-related transactional, specialty bonds) Strong understanding of credit analysis, risk assessment, and financial statement review Demonstrated ability to manage high submission volume while maintaining underwriting discipline Experience negotiating terms, pricing, and commissions in a competitive marketplace Knowledge of state-specific bonding requirements and regulatory environment preferred Skills & Competencies Strong analytical and decision-making skills Excellent communication and negotiation abilities Relationship-driven, with a strong customer-service orientation Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment High attention to detail and organizational skills Results-oriented mindset with a focus on growth and profitability Compensation & Benefits The applicable base salary for this opportunity is $100,000 - $125,000. The base pay offered will be determined by factors such as experience, skills, training, location, certifications, education, and any applicable minimum wage requirements. In addition to the base salary, this opportunity may be eligible for performance-based incentives. We are excited to offer a competitive total rewards package which includes health and welfare benefits, tuition and professional certification assistance, 401k savings, elective participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Program, paid time off, paid holidays, and child bonding leave, as well as other employee assistance. health and welfare benefits tuition and professional certification assistance 401k savings elective participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Program paid time off paid holidays child bonding leave other employee assistance #LI-Remote Company Overview Skyward Specialty is a rapidly growing and innovative specialty insurance company, delivering commercial P&C products and solutions on a non-admitted and admitted basis. The Company operates through eight underwriting divisions – Accident & Health, Captives, Global Property & Agriculture, Industry Solutions, Professional Lines, Programs, Surety and Transactional E&S. At Skyward Specialty, we approach insurance differently. Our specialty insurance experts are empowered to dig deeper to customize solutions that help brokers and agents deliver impactful solutions to their clients. We operate at the complex end of the specialty market and leverage technology to bring disruptive, innovative insurance solutions to market. We are agile and steadfastly focused on our strategy to lead in the select markets in which we choose to do business. We call this our rule our niche strategy. #J-18808-Ljbffr Skyward Specialty Insurance Group