Commercial Surety Regional Manager

Core Specialty Insurance Holdings, Inc.; South Dakota; Remote; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) company match

Employee Assistance Plan

Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Account

Wellness program

Job summary

Core Specialty Insurance Holdings, Inc. is seeking a Regional Manager for Commercial Surety to lead underwriting leadership, marketing, and portfolio profitability across the territory.

The role emphasizes market-facing leadership, strong broker relationships, and disciplined risk selection. You will analyze financial statements, structure terms, and set pricing while ensuring adherence to underwriting guidelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or related field is required.
• Advanced degree or professional certifications (e.g. AFSB, CPCU) is preferred.
• Proven experience (typically 5+ years) in underwriting roles within the surety industry.
• Demonstrated success developing agency relationships and generating profitable growth.
• Proven business development and marketing experience.
• Willingness to travel throughout assigned territory.

Responsibilities

• Lead underwriting for the assigned territory and approve submissions within delegated authority.
• Develop regional marketing and production plans; build relationships with brokers and agencies.
• Own profit and loss results for the region; manage portfolio mix, pricing, and growth metrics.
• Provide coaching and guidance to underwriters; promote best practices and underwriting consistency.
• Travel throughout the territory to maintain agency and client relationships; participate in events and visits.
• Analyze financial statements, credit reports, and other underwriting data to assess risk.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning with senior leadership.

Skills

Underwriting leadership

Agency development

Portfolio management

Financial statement analysis

Negotiation

Relationship building

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/Accounting/Finance

Advanced degree or professional certifications (AFSB, CPCU)

5+ years underwriting experience in surety

Proven agency relationships and profitable growth

Business development and marketing experience

Willingness to travel

Job description

The Commercial Surety Regional Manager is responsible for the underwriting, marketing, production, profitability, and overall management of a regional Commercial Surety portfolio. This position serves as the senior underwriting leader for the assigned territory and is accountable for achieving premium growth, underwriting profitability, agency development, and portfolio management objectives.

The Regional Manager will develop and maintain strong relationships with agents, brokers, principals, indemnitors, and other business partners while exercising significant underwriting authority and ensuring compliance with company underwriting guidelines and risk appetite. The position is highly market-facing and focused on profitable business development, agency management, and underwriting execution.

Will consider qualified, remote candidates in Texas or Louisiana.

Key Accountabilities/Deliverables:

Underwriting Leadership

• Serve as lead underwriter for the assigned territory.
• Analyze, evaluate, and approve commercial surety submissions within delegated authority.
• Review and assess financial statements, interim financial reports, work-in-progress schedules, bank agreements, credit reports, tax returns, and other underwriting information.
• Structure and negotiate underwriting terms, collateral requirements, indemnity agreements, and other risk mitigation measures.
• Determine appropriate capacity, pricing, and terms for new and renewal business.
• Monitor portfolio performance and take corrective action as necessary to achieve profitability objectives.
• Participate in large account reviews and referral discussions.
• Maintain underwriting quality and adherence to company guidelines and authority levels.

Marketing and Business Development

• Develop and execute regional marketing and production plans.
• Build and strengthen relationships with retail and wholesale surety brokers.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities consistent with company risk appetite.
• Conduct regular agency visits and joint sales calls.
• Represent the company at industry events, agency meetings, conferences, and association functions.
• Drive submission flow and increase market visibility throughout the territory.
• Establish agency business plans and monitor production goals.
• Maintain strong relationships with key distribution partners and strategic accounts.

Portfolio and Profitability Management

• Own profit and loss results for the assigned region.
• Manage portfolio mix, pricing adequacy, retention, and growth metrics.
• Monitor premium volume, loss ratio, expense ratio, and collection objectives.
• Conduct periodic book reviews to identify trends, opportunities, and emerging risks.
• Evaluate agency performance and manage agency relationships accordingly.
• Recommend strategic actions to improve profitability and operational performance.
• Assist senior leadership with budgeting, business planning, and forecasting.

Leadership and Talent Development

• Recruit, train, mentor, and develop commercial surety underwriters.
• Provide technical underwriting guidance and coaching.
• Assist in establishing underwriting goals and performance expectations.
• Promote underwriting consistency and best practices across the region.
• Participate in succession planning and employee development initiatives.
• Foster a collaborative, performance-oriented culture focused on underwriting excellence and customer service.

Customer and Broker Service

• Deliver responsive, solution-oriented service to brokers and insureds.
• Resolve complex underwriting issues and relationship challenges.
• Maintain a high level of market visibility and accessibility.
• Collaborate with claims, legal, accounting, and operations departments to support business objectives.
• Travel throughout the territory to maintain agency and client relationships.

Technical Knowledge and Understanding:

• Strong knowledge and understanding in commercial surety.
• Strong financial statement analysis and credit underwriting skills.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to exercise independent underwriting judgment.

Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or related field is required
• Advanced degree or professional certifications (e.g. AFSB, CPCU, etc.) is preferred
• Proven experience (typically 5+ years) in underwriting roles within the surety industry
• Demonstrated success developing agency relationships and generating profitable growth.
• Proven business development and marketing experience.
• Willingness to travel throughout assigned territory.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over work authorization sponsorship now or in the future for this position.

At Core Specialty, you will receive a competitive salary and opportunities for professional development and advancement. We offer medical, dental, vision, and life insurances; short and long-term disability; a Company-match of 100% of a 6% contribution 401(k) plan; an Employee Assistance Plan; Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account, Health Reimbursement Account, and a wellness program