Contract Surety Manager

Berkley Surety (a Berkley Company); Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Berkley Surety (a Berkley Company) is looking for an experienced underwriter in Chicago, IL. This position involves managing and underwriting new and renewal business, and building strong relationships with agents.

Applicants should have a minimum of 10+ years in the surety industry and a 4-year degree, particularly in Business, Finance, or Accounting. The competitive salary ranges from $110k to $150k annually, along with various employee benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4-year degree or related industry experience.
• 10+ years in the surety industry or related field.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage and underwrite new and renewal business from agents.
• Develop and leverage agency/client relationships.
• Maintain accurate underwriting documentation.

Skills

Financial analysis

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Decision-making

Self-motivation

Education

4-year degree or related industry experience

10+ years in surety industry or banking

Job description

Company Overview

Berkley Surety is a professional, service‑oriented underwriting management company that provides a full spectrum of bonds for contract, environmental, and commercial surety accounts in the United States and Canada. We write on behalf of W. R. Berkley Corporation member company Berkley Insurance Company, with an A.M. Best rating of A+ (Superior). We pride ourselves on building strong relationships with our agency partners and delivering timely, predictable solutions.

Responsibilities

Manage, produce and underwrite new and renewal business from assigned agents and brokers, consistently achieving budgeted financial results through business acquisition, retention, and effective price management. Participate in planning, expense management, and collaboration with Line of Business colleagues and other stakeholders. Handle both outside and inside business development, including agency development and management within a book of business.

• Independently underwrites, assesses and manages the assigned portfolio of accounts in a particular line or lines of business, and can effectively underwrite both performance and non‑performance bonds.
• Understands and executes personal and branch objectives and strategies to produce budgeted results.
• Effectively develops and leverages agency/client relationships through a high level of visibility with agents, brokers and clients.
• Plans and executes effective regular travel to develop and enhance new and existing producer and account relationships; visits accounts, prepares meeting agendas, obtains follow‑up documentation, evaluates accounts and submits timely detailed submission memos for appropriate credit approval.
• Communicates 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 to all parties.
• Maintains and manages workflow, including effective communications, with agency representatives in the assigned territory, meeting all company standards and expectations.
• Accountable for accurate underwriting documentation and adherence to documentation standards, ensuring the integrity and up‑to‑date status of all account files.
• Participates in the premium budget and expense process for the profit center.
• Actively keeps management apprised of important issues to the branch and the Company.
• May assist or be directly responsible for the development, mentoring/coaching or supervision of underwriting staff as appropriate.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and experience: Minimum 4‑year degree or related industry experience; 10+ years in the surety industry or related field (banking or credit analysis background a plus). Business, Finance or Accounting majors preferred.

• Demonstrates the ability to read, analyze, discuss and interpret financial statements, bond forms, contract documents, and government regulations to reach appropriate risk assessment conclusions.
• Effective oral and written communication skills; can produce clear reports and business correspondence.
• Ability to provide well‑developed recommendations in support of new and existing accounts and client bond needs.
• Strong analytical and decision‑making skills, capable of solving practical problems in situations with limited standardization.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions in written, oral, diagrammatic or schedule form.
• Can organize and handle medium to complex volumes of information.
• Works independently and in a team environment.
• Self‑motivation and an outgoing orientation with a strong customer focus.

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Benefits

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

Sponsorship not offered for this role.