Surety Underwriter

Zurich Insurance Company Ltd.; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12% defined non-contributory pension

Annual company bonus

Private medical insurance

Option to buy up to 20 days or sell it

Job summary

Zurich in London is seeking a Surety Underwriter to join our London Market Surety team. You'll underwrite complex UK contract and commercial surety risks and contribute to a profitable, well-managed portfolio.

In this role, you will work in a hybrid setup with the London office and engage brokers and clients to deliver exceptional service, supported by strong pricing frameworks and governance.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in underwriting UK Contract and Commercial Surety.
• Strong financial analysis skills to assess the creditworthiness of Surety clients.
• In-depth knowledge 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.
• Well-established network of contacts within the UK Surety market.

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.

Skills

Underwriting experience

Financial analysis

Indemnities knowledge

Team player

Surety bond wordings

UK market network

Job description

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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: 11th November 2026

Are you an Underwriter or Senior Underwriter with experience in UK Contract and Commercial Surety?

Whether you're looking to take the next step in your underwriting career or you're an experienced Senior Underwriter seeking a fresh challenge, this is an exciting opportunity to join our London Market Surety team. You'll play a key role in driving profitable growth, building strong broker relationships and shaping the continued success of our Surety business.

Joining our Global Specialities 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.

As a Surety Underwriter, you’ll take on significant responsibility for underwriting complex contract and commercial Surety risks, ensuring every decision aligns with our strategies, guidelines, authorities, and pricing frameworks. Your expertise will make a direct impact on the achievement of our Surety business’s strategic and operational objectives.

Many of our employees work flexibly in a variety of different ways, including part-time, flexible hours, job share, an element of working from home or compressed hours. This is because we want the best people for our roles, and we recognise that sometimes those people aren’t available full-time. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you may need.

What will you be doing?

• 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 byZurich’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.

At Zurich we aspire to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world. Together,we’recreating a brighter future for our customers,ourpeopleand our planet.

With over 65,000 employees,you’llfeel the support of being part of a strong and stable companythat isa long-standing player in the insurance industry.

We’vemade a promise to each other and every employee: to focus on sustainable impact, to care about each other’s wellbeing, to use our diverseexpertiseto be curious and optimistic and to develop the skills needed for our future.

Ifyou’reinterested in working in a dynamic and challenging environment where your creativity, ideas and contributions are recognised and rewarded, Zurich could be just the place for you. Be part of something great.

Our Culture:

At Zurich, our strength comes from the diverse experiences,perspectivesand talents of our people. Our goal is to create a workplace where every employee can flourish and where everyone feels valued,heardand respected.

Over a quarter of our employees are members of at least one of our inclusion communities (Employee Resource Groups), with groups focused on areas such as social mobility and cultural awareness.We’reproud to have received numerous industry awards recognising our diversity and inclusion policies and initiatives.

We’vecreated an environment that places real importance on our people’s wellbeing from a physical, mental,socialand financial perspective. We work with our wellbeing partners and industry experts to provide practical advice and access to a wide range of lifestyle support, alongside opportunities to learn, grow and develop the skills needed for the future.

We actively support our employees to give back to their communities through volunteering and charitableactivity. Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, is one of the longest‑establishedcorporate trusts in the UK. Together,we’vesupported causes across the UK through grants and volunteering, contributing over £100 million in funding andvolunteeredtime.

Your application:

We’recommitted to treating all applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background, sexual orientation,disabilityor any other protected characteristic.

As an inclusive employer we also 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.

We’dlove it if you couldsubmityour application online. If yourequirean alternative method of applying, please send an email to [e-mail]

So, make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported. Love what you do. Work for us. #LI-Hybrid

The 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.