Senior Underwriter, Core Contract Surety

Zurich Insurance Group; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global insurance provider in Toronto is seeking a Senior Underwriter for Core Contract Surety. The role involves production and underwriting of surety business, managing relationships with brokers, and evaluating customer qualifications. Candidates should possess a strong background in finance or related fields, with at least three years of relevant surety experience. This position supports a dynamic and collaborative culture within a hybrid working environment.

Benefits

Comprehensive health benefits

Four weeks of vacation per year

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of relevant surety experience.
• Understanding of broker relationship structure.
• Industry and surety product knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Production and underwriting of new and existing contract surety business.
• Conduct thorough assessments of customer’s financial, technical, and organizational capacity.
• Provide detailed recommendations of bond and account support.

Skills

Risk assessment skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Relationship building

Education

University degree in finance, accounting, or a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office suite

Job description

Overview

The Opportunity

Are you looking for a caring, collaborative, values-driven workplace with inspiring teammates and leaders? Do you have the ambition and desire to be the best and thrive at the most impactful global insurance provider in the world? Look no further than Zurich Canada.

If you have experience in Surety Underwriting and are looking for a new challenge, we would love to hear from you. Zurich Canada is currently looking for a Senior Underwriter, Core Contract Surety to enhance and fully apply their underwriting, marketing, and financial & credit analysis skills, and contribute to our ongoing success as a member of our dynamic Toronto Contract Surety team. Reporting directly to the National Director, Core Contract Surety, and collaborating with an experienced team of underwriters, this role is both technical and market facing, requiring experience in Contract Surety as you will be responsible for new business production, underwriting and retention of existing accounts under limited direction while actively engaging in the marketplace to elevate the Zurich Canada brand. Your goal will be to maximize underwriting profitability with The Zurich Way of Underwriting Framework within delegated authority levels on accounts of moderate to high technical complexity, while ensuring a high-level service to customers.

As the Surety Business Unit continues to grow, so will your personal learning and development opportunities. You will develop your underwriting and portfolio optimization skills, all while contributing to Zurich Canada’s overall results. This role offers a flexible, dynamic, and challenging environment for motivated professionals looking to advance their careers in surety underwriting. This is a unique opportunity to build your knowledge and experience for the future in a supportive environment where your voice matters. This is a hybrid work opportunity.

Responsibilities

• Production and underwriting of new and existing contract surety business.
• Serve as key contact and underwrite an assigned portfolio of accounts with a modest level of autonomy.
• Conduct thorough assessments of customer’s financial, technical, and organizational capacity within Zurich’s appetite, balanced with sound business opportunity, in accordance with department policies and procedures.
• Provide detailed recommendations of bond and account support utilizing your skills in financial and credit analysis.
• Proactively seek new account opportunities by managing existing and developing new relationships with key brokers.
• Make broker / customer and on-site calls with a planned and well-prepared purpose.
• Negotiate account and / or bond specific terms & conditions.
• Participate in team meetings, providing updates related to assigned portfolio of accounts, brokers, territory, and market intelligence.
• Proactively engage in the target account process, developing and managing a qualified list of opportunities.
• Internal marketing and production in support of cross-sell efforts.
• External marketing to new and existing broker partners.
• Contribute to development of underwriting manuals, programs, and guidelines.
• Regularly attend industry, broker and customer events and functions.
• Model behaviors that demonstrate commitment to corporate values.
• Provide guidance and support for team members.
• Take action to manage your own personal development.
• Engage in business travel as required.
• Work extended hours during peak periods as required.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license as required.
• Ensure regular predictable attendance.
• Maintain visibility in the office, as required.

Qualifications

• Required:
• University degree or post-secondary education in finance, accounting, banking (credit) or construction-related experience.
• Industry and surety product knowledge including legal and regulatory environment.
• Well-developed broker network and superior understanding of broker relationship model.
• Understanding of broker relationship structure.
• Experience with tight deadlines for requests and new account submissions.
• Effective risk assessment skills.
• Independent and strategic thinker with strong negotiation skills.
• Confident decision-maker with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Strong broker relationships.
• Effective in relationship building, active listening, needs analysis, multi-tasking, and negotiation.
• High level of customer service.
• Excellent listening, verbal, written communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant surety experience.
• Preferred:
• Banking and / or construction industry experience
• Developer Surety experience
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite

Culture and Benefits

• At Zurich, we are proud of our culture. We are passionate about Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging (DIEB). We want you to bring your whole self to work.
• We have a collaborative culture where diversity of thought is valued and we strive to provide tools to make an impact.
• We care about our employees’ well-being and offer a comprehensive health/benefits plan with varying levels of coverage and a competitive total compensation package.
• All employees receive four weeks of vacation per year; four personal days per year to be used at discretion.
• We are committed to training and development opportunities.
• We contribute to communities through our talent, time and resources.
• We have won awards for workplace culture, including Greater Toronto’s Top Employers and Insurance Business Canada’s 5-Star Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award.
• Make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported. Love what you do. Work for us.

About Us

Zurich Canada is part of the Zurich Insurance Group, a multi-line insurer with approximately 55,000 employees worldwide serving customers in global and local markets. Zurich Canada has been a leading insurance provider serving mid-sized and large companies in the Canadian commercial market for 100 years. With over 500 employees in offices across the country, Zurich offers the global strength of a top insurance provider with local market knowledge. Read more at zurichcanada.com.