Chief Commercial Underwriting Leader

Merchants Bonding Company; West Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Merchants Bonding Company is seeking a Senior Vice President – Commercial Underwriting to lead regional growth and profitability across their commercial bond portfolio. You will set underwriting policy, oversee staff, and drive premium growth while managing receivables from agencies.

The role requires extensive underwriting, leadership experience, and strong knowledge of commercial surety products and regulatory frameworks. Travel within the assigned region is expected to occur regularly.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, insurance, or related field; 10–15 years of experience in commercial bond underwriting and customer service, and agency marketing; 3–6 years in a supervisory or leadership role.
• AFSB designation preferable but not required.
• Knowledge of the legislative and regulatory process; Knowledge of the commercial surety industry and fidelity underwriting; Knowledge of public official bonds, license and permit bonds, court bonds, probate, and other fiduciary bonds.

Responsibilities

• Travel across their assigned region to promote Merchants’ commercial surety products and evaluate, coach, and train underwriters.
• Oversees underwriting appetite for commercial surety and marketing efforts of underwriters within the region.
• Develops profitable premium growth of commercial surety within their region and monitors production goals and travel priorities.
• Reviews and analyzes commercial surety risk from documents and determines approvals up to authority; provides guidance in the region.
• Reviews large commercial exposures and tracks underwriting activity to inform account management decisions.
• Leads projects to develop new products or enhance existing ones and ensures proper file documentation.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, insurance, or a related field

Job description

Merchants Bonding Company is seeking a Senior Vice President – Commercial Underwriting to lead regional growth and profitability across their commercial bond portfolio. You will set underwriting policy, oversee staff, and drive premium growth while managing receivables from agencies.

The role requires extensive underwriting, leadership experience, and strong knowledge of commercial surety products and regulatory frameworks. Travel within the assigned region is expected to occur regularly.