Contract Surety Manager

W. R. Berkley Corporation; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Disability

Wellness program

Paid time off

401(k) and profit sharing

Job summary

Berkley Surety is seeking a Manager – Contract to oversee underwriting and management of new and renewal bond business from assigned agents and brokers. The role focuses on achieving budgeted results through growth, pricing strategies, and strong agency collaboration.

The position requires a minimum 4-year degree and 10+ years in surety, with experience in risk assessment, financial statement analysis, and client relations.

Qualifications

• Read, analyze, discuss, and interpret financial statements, bond forms, contract documents, and government regulations and reach appropriate risk assessment conclusions.
• Effective oral and written communication to write clear reports and business correspondence.
• Provide well-developed recommendations for new and existing accounts and client bond needs.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills to solve practical problems with varied data.
• Interpret various instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Proficiency with Berkley Surety Group automation tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Lotus Notes, underwriting systems).
• Able to organize and handle medium to complex volumes of information.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage, produce, and underwrite new and renewal business from assigned agents and brokers in the primary line of business.
• Achieve budgeted financial results including premium volume, loss ratio, premium collections, and expense management (including commissions).
• Execute objectives and strategies to produce budgeted results and participate in planning and expense management.
• Interact with Line of Business colleagues and internal/external partners to support objectives.
• Underwrite and manage an assigned portfolio of accounts including performance and non-performance bonds.
• Develop agency and client relationships with visibility to agents, brokers, and clients.
• Travel regularly to develop producer/account relationships and submit detailed credit memos for approval.
• Communicate Company mission and objectives with confidence and professionalism.

Skills

Financial analysis

Oral and written communication

Credit analysis

Risk assessment

Independent work

Customer focus

Agency relationships

Education

4-year degree or related industry experience

Business, Finance, or Accounting majors preferred

10+ years in surety industry or related experience

Banking or credit analysis background a plus

Tools

Berkley Surety tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Lotus Notes, underwriting systems)

Job description

Company Details

Berkley Surety is a highly professional, service-oriented surety underwriting management company, providing a full spectrum of bonds for contract, environmental, and commercial surety accounts through multiple distribution channels in both the United States and Canada. We write on behalf of W. R. Berkley Corporation member company Berkley Insurance Company, which has an A.M. Best rating of A+ (Superior). We pride ourselves on building strong relationships with our agents and highly value the insight and expertise our agency partners bring to the table, which helps us provide timely and predictable surety solutions.

Company URL: www.berkleysurety.com

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Responsibilities

The Manager – Contract is responsible for managing, producing, and underwriting new and renewal business from assigned agents and brokers in the primary line of business. This role focuses on achieving budgeted financial results through new business acquisition, retention, effective price management, and active participation in planning and expense management while developing strong agency relationships.

• Manage, produce, and underwrite new and renewal business from assigned agents and brokers in the primary line of business.
• Achieve budgeted financial results including premium volume, loss ratio, premium collections, and expense management (including commissions) through new business acquisition, retention, and effective price management.
• Execute personal and branch objectives and strategies to produce budgeted results and actively participate in the planning and expense management process.
• Interact and collaborate with Line of Business colleagues and internal/external business associates to support business objectives.
• Independently underwrite, assess, and manage an assigned portfolio of accounts in particular line(s) of business, including both performance and non-performance bonds.
• Develop and leverage agency and client relationships through a high level of visibility with agents, brokers, and clients.
• Plan and execute regular travel to develop and enhance new and existing producer and account relationships, including visiting accounts, preparing and sharing meeting agendas, obtaining follow-up documentation, and submitting timely detailed submission memos for appropriate credit approval.
• Communicate the mission and objectives of the Company in account meetings with confidence, clear communication, good listening skills, professionalism, and empathy to be a trusted adviser and valued partner.
• Maintain and manage workflow and communications with agency representatives in the assigned territory, meeting all company standards and expectations.
• Communicate acceptance or rejection of new and existing accounts while working to establish and enhance the Company’s brand.
• Ensure accurate underwriting documentation and information in account management systems, adhere to documentation standards, and maintain the accuracy and integrity of account files.
• Participate in the premium budget and expense process for the profit center.
• Keep management apprised of issues of importance to the Branch and the Company.
• Assist in or be directly responsible for the development, mentoring, coaching, or supervision of Executive Underwriters, Senior Underwriters, Underwriters, Associate Underwriters, or Underwriting Trainees, as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to read, analyze, discuss, and interpret financial statements, bond forms, contract documents, and government regulations and reach appropriate risk assessment conclusions.
• Effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to write clear and effective reports and business correspondence so that others clearly understand the content and intent.
• Ability to provide well-developed recommendations in support of new and existing accounts and client bond needs.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills with the ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Proficiency with automation tools provided by Berkley Surety Group (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Lotus Notes, underwriting systems).
• Ability to organize and effectively handle medium to complex volumes of information.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Self-motivation and an outgoing orientation with a strong customer focus.

Education Requirement

• Minimum 4-year degree or related industry experience.
• Business, Finance, or Accounting majors preferred, but not required.
• 10+ years of surety industry or related experience required.
• Banking or credit analysis background is a plus.

Additional Company Details

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third party recruiting agencies or firms. The company offers a competitive compensation plan and robust benefits package for full time regular employees including:

• Base Salary Range: $110k-$150k
• Eligible to participate in annual discretionary bonus
• Benefits include: Health, dental, vision, dental, life, disability, wellness, paid time off, 401(k) and profit-sharing plans

The actual salary for this position will be determined by a number of factors, including the scope, complexity and location of the role; the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; and other conditions of employment.

Sponsorship Details

Sponsorship not Offered for this Role