Experienced Underwriter, Contract Surety

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Parental leave

Job summary

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) seeks a senior Contract Surety Underwriter for the Midwest Region. The role targets a lead underwriter for a high-quality portfolio, with preference for candidates near Chicago, but open to the broader Midwest.

Strong ethics, collaboration, and practical problem-solving are essential. The ideal candidate brings extensive underwriting experience, financial acumen, and a proven ability to negotiate terms while building broker relationships.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of underwriting experience within contract surety or equivalent.
• Strong financial analysis and credit assessment capabilities.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills.
• Ability to travel up to 35% of the time as required.
• Experience collaborating with retail brokers and agents.
• BS/BA Degree or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as lead underwriter on a quality portfolio of contract surety clients.
• Analyze credit quality and set terms, conditions, and pricing.
• Develop broker and agent relationships to pursue new business.
• Review contracts, RFPs, and bond forms for various risks.
• Contribute to daily operations and underwriting practices across the organization.

Skills

Financial analysis

Credit assessment

Negotiation

Communication skills

Underwriting

Broker relations

Travel readiness

Education

BS/BA Degree

Job description

Who are we?

A strategic and trusted insurance partner, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI), provides a broad range of commercial property, casualty and specialty insurance coverages and outstanding service to customers and brokers around the world. Part of Berkshire Hathaway’s insurance operations, we bring our solutions to market with our stellar brand name, top-rated balance sheet, and the expertise of our global team of professionals, who exude excellent capabilities and strong character.

We are a values-based organization where respect, integrity, excellence, collaboration, and passion define who we are and how we do business. We value diversity of backgrounds, experience, and perspectives and strive to foster an inclusive environment that enables all our team members to bring their best selves to work. We are one team committed to building a culture where every teammate has the opportunity to contribute and be recognized. Want to be part of the team building the finest property, casualty and specialty lines insurance company in the world?

Learn more about our unique culture and history.

Job Opportunity:

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) has an exciting opportunity for a senior level Contract Surety Underwriter in the Midwest Region. We are seeking the best candidate for the role. While proximity to our Chicago office is preferred, we are open to individuals located anywhere within our Midwest Region.

This is a customer-focused position ideally suited for a professional of the highest ethical standards that is dedicated to excellence and has a passion for the surety business. The ideal candidate values working in a highly collaborative environment, simplicity over complexity, and thinking outside of the box in providing practical solutions for brokers and customers. This position affords the opportunity to make significant and lasting contributions across all facets of our growing surety organization.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Fill a vital role as the lead underwriter on an existing, high-quality quality portfolio of contract surety clients


• Analyze credit quality, and utilize expertise to make sound decisions pertaining to terms, conditions, and pricing


• Develop and advance broker and agent relationships in pursuit of new business opportunities


• Contract, RFP, & bond form review for a wide range of risks including middle market, subcontract, and national contractors


• Actively contribute to daily operations, development of systems, and underwriting practices across the overall surety organization

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of underwriting experience within contract surety or a comparable credit or financial-oriented industry


• Financial analysis and credit assessment skills


• Strong negotiation skills


• Ability to travel up to 35% of the time based on business need


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills


• Experience managing and collaborating with retail brokers and agents


• BS/BA Degree or equivalent experience

BHSI Offers:

• A competitive package and exciting growth opportunities for career-oriented teammates.


• A dynamic, action oriented, and thoughtful environment centered on always doing the right thing for our customers, teammates, and our other stakeholders.


• A purposely non-bureaucratic organization that embraces simplicity over complexity and emphasizes individual excellence in a team framework.

Benefits that support your life and well-being, which include:

• Comprehensive Health, Dental and Vision benefits


• Disability Insurance (both short-term and long-term)


• Life Insurance (for you and your family)


• Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance (for you and your family)


• Flexible Spending Accounts


• Health ReimbursementAccount


• Employee Assistance Program


• Retirement Savings 401(k) Plan with Company Match


• Generous holiday and Paid Time Off


• Tuition Reimbursement


• Paid Parental Leave

The base salary range for this position is from $120,000.00 to $200,000.00, along with annual bonus eligibility; a candidate’s salary is determined by their relevant skills and experience. We value our teammates –boththeircapabilities and character –as demonstratedbytheamazingculture.

NOTE: Compensationwillbecommensuratewithexperience.This jobdescriptionisnotintendedtobeall-inclusive.TeamMembermayperformotherrelateddutiesasnegotiatedtomeettheongoingneedsoftheorganization.