Senior Surety Underwriter

Zurich 56 Company Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12% defined non-contributory pension scheme

Annual company bonus

Private medical insurance

28 days holiday plus bank holidays

Discounted gym membership

Job summary

A leading insurance company is looking for a Senior Surety Underwriter in London. This role supports hybrid working, requiring at least 3 days in the office. The ideal candidate will have strong underwriting experience in the UK Contract and Commercial Surety sectors. Responsibilities include bond underwriting, participation in credit committees, and negotiating bond documentation. The role offers a competitive salary along with a comprehensive benefits package including a 12% pension scheme and flexible holiday options.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in underwriting UK Contract and Commercial Surety business.
• Strong financial analysis skills to assess creditworthiness.
• In-depth knowledge of Surety bond wordings and documentation.
• Collaborative approach and ability to work in a team.
• Well-established network within the UK Surety market is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite facilities and bonds within authority.
• Participate in credit committees for larger underwritten facilities.
• Negotiate bond wordings and recourse documents.
• Develop a pipeline of facility and bond enquiries.
• Identify and develop new surety products.
• Identify and develop new surety products and target segments.
• Implement new operational improvements.

Skills

Underwriting UK Contract and Commercial Surety

Financial analysis skills

Knowledge of indemnity structures

Team collaboration

Knowledge of Surety bond documentation

Established network in UK Surety market

Job description

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Senior Surety Underwriter

126477

Working hours: This role is available on a part‑time, job‑share or full‑time basis.

Salary: Competitive salary plus an excellent benefits package!

Location: London – hybrid working with at least 3 days in our Mark Lane office.

Closing date for applications: 4th February 2026

The opportunity

Are you an experienced underwriter in UK Contract and Commercial Surety, ready to take the next step? Or perhaps a senior underwriter with extensive experience looking to bring your expertise to play a pivotal role in driving the success of our Surety business at the heart of the London Market? If so, we would love to hear from you!

Joining our Commercial Insurance business in London, you’ll be a key member of our Surety Underwriting team, helping to grow our portfolio by delivering exceptional service and underwriting expertise to brokers and customers.

Key responsibilities

• The facility and bond underwriting within individual underwriting authority and for providing recommendations for approval by credit committee for facilities and bonds outside of individual underwriting authority.
• Participation on credit committees with authority alongside other credit committee members to approve larger facilities and bonds underwritten by Zurich’s UK Surety team.
• Negotiate bond wordings, indemnities and other recourse documents for new and existing facilities including negotiations with external solicitors and clients.
• Act as referral point for other members of the team for bond enquiries, indemnity and recourse documentation.
• Develop a pipeline of facility and bond enquiries through client, internal Zurich relationships, cross selling and broker relationships.
• Identifying and developing new surety products and target segments.
• Implementing new operational improvements.

What are we looking for?

• Proven experience in underwriting UK Contract and Commercial Surety business
• Strong financial analysis skills, with the ability to review and interpret financial statements to assess the creditworthiness of Surety clients
• Solid understanding of indemnity structures and how they apply in practice
• Collaborative approach and a strong team player
• In‑depth knowledge of Surety bond wordings and associated documentation
• Ideally, a well‑established network of contacts within the UK Surety market

What will you get in return?

Everyone’s different. That’s why at Zurich, we offer a wide range of employee benefits so our people can choose what fits them and their life. Our benefits provide real flexibility so our people can make considered choices and tailor their benefits throughout the year. Our benefits include 12% defined non‑contributory pension scheme, annual company bonus, private medical insurance and the option to buy up to an additional 20 days or sell some of your holiday.

As an inclusive employer we want to ensure that all candidates feel comfortable and are able to perform at their best during the interview. You’ll have the opportunity to let us know of any reasonable adjustment or practical support needed when you apply.

Who we are

At Zurich we aspire to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world and the best global insurer. Together we’re creating a brighter future for our customers, our people and our planet.

With over 55,000 employees in more than 170 countries, you’ll feel the support of being part of a strong and stable company who are a long‑standing player in the insurance industry.

We’ve made a promise to each other and every employee; to focus on sustainable impact, to care about each other’s wellbeing, to use our diverse expertise to be curious and optimistic and to develop the skills needed for our future.

If you're interested in working in a dynamic and challenging environment for a company that recognises and rewards your creativity, initiatives and contributions - then Zurich could be just the place for you. Be part of something great.

Our Culture

At Zurich, our sense of community is strong and we’re particularly passionate about diversity and inclusion, which we’ve won numerous awards for. We want our people to bring the whole of themselves to work and ensure everybody is made to feel welcome, regardless of their background, beliefs or culture. We want our employees to reflect the diversity of our customers, and so are committed to treating all of our applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background, disability or any other protected characteristic.

We’ve an environment that places a real importance on our people’s wellbeing from a physical, mental, social and financial perspective. We work with our wellbeing partners and industry experts to provide the best advice and access to a wealth of lifestyle support. We’re also committed to continuous improvement and we offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.

We’re passionate about supporting employees to help others by getting involved in volunteering, charitable and community activity. Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, is one of the longest‑established corporate trusts in the UK. In that time, we’ve awarded grants and volunteered time to deserving causes in the UK valued at over £90 million.

Financials

• 12% defined non‑contributory pension scheme.
• Annual company bonus.
• Income protection.
• Life cover – four times your salary.

Time away

• 28 days holiday a year plus bank holidays.
• You can also request to swap UK bank holidays for days off that have cultural or religious significance to you.
• The option to buy up to an additional 20 days or sell some of your holiday.
• Three days paid volunteering.
• Up to 16 weeks’ full pay for maternity, paternity and adoption leave.

Your health is important to us

• Access to private medical insurance.
• Virtual GP appointments.
• Discounted gym membership.
• Free flu jab.
• Access to a wealth of support from our wellbeing partners.

We’re making a difference

• Creating a brighter, more sustainable future underpins all that we do here in Zurich. We were the first insurer to sign the ‘UN Business Ambition for 1.5˚C’ pledge.
• Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, has awarded grants and volunteered time to deserving causes in the UK valued at over £90 million.