Manager - Contract Surety

Berkley Surety (a Berkley Company); Kentucky; On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Base Salary

Eligible for annual discretionary bonus

Health, dental, vision, life, disability, wellness

Paid time off

401(k) and profit-sharing plans

Job summary

Berkley Surety (a Berkley Company) is looking for an experienced Underwriter in Kentucky to manage, produce, and underwrite new and renewal business from assigned agents and brokers. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of Surety industry experience, excellent analytical skills, and the capacity to provide recommendations to support client bond needs. Benefits include a competitive salary, annual bonus eligibility, and comprehensive health and wellness offerings.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of Surety industry or related experience required.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage, produce and underwrite new and renewal business.
• Independently underwrites and assesses assigned portfolio of accounts.
• Accountable for accurate underwriting documentation.

Skills

Analytical skills

Effective communication

Customer focus

Risk assessment

Self-motivation

Education

Minimum 4-year degree or related industry experience

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Lotus Notes

Underwriting System

Job description

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

• 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
• Demonstrates the 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 with the ability to write clear and effective reports and business correspondence 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.
• Ability to use the automation tools provided by BSG (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Lotus Notes, U/W System, etc.).
• 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 outgoing orientation with strong customer focus

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Benefits

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