Contract Surety Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation plan

Comprehensive benefits

Profit-sharing plans

Job summary

Berkley Surety seeks an experienced senior underwriter to manage and underwrite new and renewal business from assigned agents, aiming to achieve budgeted results across premium, loss ratio, and expenses.

The role requires independence and teamwork, with travel to develop agency relationships and the ability to produce detailed credit submissions for approval.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4-year degree or related industry experience.
• 10+ years of Surety industry or related experience required.
• Banking or Credit Analysis background is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite and renew accounts in the primary line of business.
• Achieve budgeted results across premium, loss ratio, and expenses.
• Develop and manage relationships with agents, brokers and clients.
• Travel to develop and enhance producer and account relationships; prepare detailed submission memos.

Skills

Financial statement analysis

Underwriting strategy

Client relationship management

Team collaboration

Excellent communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

10+ years surety experience

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 commercialsurety accountsthrough multiple distribution channels in both the United States and Canada. We write on behalf of W. R. Berkley Corporationmember companyBerkley Insurance Company, which has an A.M. Best rating of A+ (Superior). We pride ourselves on building strong relationships with our agents. We 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

Responsibilities

Manage, produce and underwrite new and renewal business from assigned agents/brokers in the primary line of business. Consistently achieve budgeted financial results (premium volume, loss ratio, premium collections and expense management including commissions) through new business acquisition, retention of business, and effective price management as a result of executing personal and branch objectives. Actively participate in the planning and expense management process. Interact and collaborate with a team of Line of Business colleagues and other critical internal/external business associates. Position involves both outside and inside business development and includes direct responsibility for agency development and management within a book of business.

• Independently underwrites, assesses and manages 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 in an effort to produce budgeted results.
• Effectively develops and leverages agency/client relationships through a high level of visibility with agents, brokers and clients in support of business objectives.
• Plans and executes effective regular travel to develop and enhance new and existing producer and account relationships; Visits new and existing accounts; prepares and shares meeting agendas, obtains follow up documentation, evaluates the accounts and submits timely detailed submission memos for appropriate credit approval.
• Effectively communicates the mission and objectives of the Company in account meetings with confidence, clear communication, good listening skills, professionalism and empathy with the goal to be a trusted adviser and valued partner to all parties. Maintains and manages workflow, including effective communications, with agency representatives in assigned territory, meeting all company standards and expectations. Communicates acceptance or rejection of new and existing accounts while working towards establishing and enhancing the Company’s brand.
• Accountable for accurate underwriting documentation/information in account management systems and adherence to documentation standards and ensures accuracy and integrity of all information contained in account files, and keeps them up to date.
• Participates in the premium budget and expense process for the profit center.
• Actively keeps management apprised of issues of importance to the Branch and to the Company.
• May assist or be directly responsible in the development, mentoring/coaching or supervision of Executive Underwriters, Sr. Underwriters, Underwriters, Associate Underwriters or Underwriting Trainees, as appropriate.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education Requirement

• Minimum 4-year degree or related industry experience
• Business/Finance/Accounting Majors preferred, but not required
• 10+ years of Surety industry or related experience required
• Banking or Credit Analysis background is a plus

Qualifications: Include necessary skills/experience and core competencies required

• Demonstrates the ability to read, analyze, discuss and interpret financial statements, bond forms, contract documents, andgovernment regulations and reach appropriate risk assessment conclusions.
• Effective oral and written communication skills with the ability to write clear and effective reports and businesscorrespondence so that others will clearly understand the content and the intent.
• Ability to provide well developed recommendations in support of new and existing accounts, as well as client bond needs.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills. Ability to solve practical problems and appropriately deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to effectively interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Must be able to organize and effectively handle medium to complex volumes of information.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Self-motivation and an out-going orientation with strong customer focus

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

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