Commercial Surety Underwriting Officer (Account Executive or AVP Level)

Zurich 56 Company Ltd; Kansas; Remote; USD 94,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Commercial Surety Underwriting Officer to join their dynamic team. This role offers a unique opportunity to manage complex accounts and drive business development in a collaborative environment. Ideal candidates will possess strong analytical and negotiation skills, along with a positive attitude and a passion for building relationships with brokers and clients. The position can be filled at the Account Executive or AVP level, offering competitive compensation and benefits. If you are ready to leverage your underwriting expertise and contribute to a thriving team, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Comprehensive Employee Benefits

Competitive Compensation

Short-term Incentive Bonus

Qualifications

• 3+ years in Underwriting, Finance, or Banking for Account Executive level.
• 5+ years for AVP level with strong surety knowledge preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage accounts, develop business, and analyze complex surety accounts.
• Negotiate terms and conditions while ensuring high service levels.

Skills

Credit Analysis

Communication Skills

Negotiation Skills

Time Management

Analytical Skills

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Associate Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Commercial Surety Underwriting Officer (Account Executive or AVP Level)

Zurich North America is looking for a Commercial Surety Underwriting Officer (Account Executive or AVP Level) to join our Commercial Surety team within one of the following locations: Virtual IL, Chicago, Cincinnati, or Kansas City.

The Commercial Surety Underwriter is a uniquely technical role in the underwriting world. In this position, you will be responsible for the overall account management, business development, and analysis of a highly complex book of Commercial Surety Accounts. Our ideal candidate will have a can-do positive attitude, strong financial background including credit analysis, excellent communication and presentation skills, time management skills, and the ability to further develop and sharpen established negotiation skills. Underwriters will use the Zurich Way of Underwriting Framework within delegated authority levels on highly complex assignments ensuring a high-level service to customers.

This is a great opportunity for an experienced Commercial Surety Underwriter to use their analytical skills, entrepreneurial spirit, along with their ability to develop and maintain relationships with our North Central region Brokers and Customers to write profitable business.

This role will be filled at either the Account Executive or AVP level. The hiring manager will determine the appropriate level based upon the selected applicant’s experience and skillset relative to the qualifications listed for this position.

Additional responsibilities will include:

1. Proactively seek renewal and new account opportunities.
2. Qualify accounts to meet with the organization's appetite, balanced with sound business opportunity. Negotiate Terms & Conditions and close deals.
3. Cross-Sell other lines of business to increase product density with the account.
4. Update required systems with details of broker/client visits and account status within specified time frame.
5. Calculate Target Price accurately by utilizing underwriting tools appropriately.
6. Diagnose and develop recommendations to solve unique business unit and customer problems.
7. Demonstrate specialized knowledge and expertise in products and industry.
8. Administer and monitor underwriting rules and guidelines, insurance laws and regulations, and rating manuals.
9. Work at the highest authority limits on assignments utilizing the highest degree of technical complexity and coordination.

Account Executive Basic Qualifications:

1. High School Diploma or Equivalent and 3 or more years of experience in the Underwriting, Market Facing, Finance, Accounting, or Banking area
2. OR
3. High School Diploma or Equivalent and 6 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area
4. OR
5. Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 1 or more years of experience in the Underwriting, Market Facing, Finance, Accounting, or Banking area
6. OR
7. Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 4 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area
8. AND
9. Knowledge of line/s of business and the legal and regulatory guidelines
10. Knowledge of time restraints for quotes on new and renewal business
11. Experience with Microsoft Office

AVP Basic Qualifications:

1. High School Diploma or Equivalent and 5 or more years of experience in the Underwriting, Market Facing, Finance, Accounting, or Banking area
2. OR
3. High School Diploma or Equivalent and 10 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area
4. OR
5. Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 3 or more years in the Underwriting, Market Facing, Finance, Accounting, or Banking area
6. OR
7. Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 8 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area
8. AND
9. Knowledge of Microsoft Office
10. Knowledge of time restraints for quotes on new and renewal business
11. Experience working in a team environment

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s Degree
2. Surety knowledge/experience and knowledge of the legal and regulatory guidelines
3. Understanding of the structure of broker relationships
4. Ability to analyze and understand complicated credit assessments, trends, and strategies
5. Investigative skills (curiosity) to develop an understanding of business strategies, trends, complex contracts, assessment of long-term obligations and organizational character among other aspects of our customers
6. Ability to coherently articulate these strategies and financial concepts formulating fact-based conclusions and recommendations
7. Prior experience managing/growing a profitable portfolio of customers
8. Negotiation experience with brokers and large, international, and national organizations
9. Strong verbal and written communication skills

Compensation for roles at Zurich varies depending on a wide array of factors including but not limited to the specific office location, role, skill set, and level of experience. The combined salary range for this position is $94,000.00 - $170,000.00. The proposed salary range for the Account Executive is $94,000.00 - $139,000.00 with short-term incentive bonus eligibility set at 10%. For the AVP, it is $120,000.00 - $170,000.00, with short-term incentive bonus eligibility set at 15%.

Zurich maintains a comprehensive employee benefits package for employees as well as eligible dependents and competitive compensation.

Zurich does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status. EOE disability/vet