Surety Underwriter

Berkley Surety (a Berkley Company); Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision, life

Disability insurance

Wellness programs

Paid time off

401(k) and profit-sharing

Job summary

Berkley Surety in Irvine, CA is seeking an experienced Underwriter to manage a portfolio of surety accounts and drive growth with agents and brokers. The role combines outside and inside business development with strong emphasis on risk assessment and pricing discipline.

You'll collaborate with a team, develop agency relationships, travel to meet clients, and ensure accurate underwriting documentation in our systems.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4-year degree or related industry experience.
• 2-4 years of surety industry or related experience.
• Demonstrates ability to read, analyze, discuss, and interpret financial statements, bond forms, contract documents, and government regulations.
• Effective oral and written communication skills and ability to write clear reports and business correspondence.
• Proficiency with automation tools provided by BSG (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Lotus Notes, U/W System, etc.).
• Ability to organize and handle small to medium volumes of information with supervision from a direct Manager or Supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Underwrites, assesses and manages assigned portfolio of accounts in a particular line or lines of business with supervision of his/her Manager or Supervisor and can effectively underwrite both performance and non-performance bonds.
• Understand and execute personal and branch objectives and strategies to produce budgeted results.
• Develops and leverages productive agency/client relationships through a high level of visibility with agents, brokers and clients in support of business objectives.
• Plans and executes frequent 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.
• Communicates the mission and objectives of BSG in account meetings with confidence, clear communication, good listening skills, professionalism, and empathy to be a trusted adviser and valued partner.
• 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 BSG brand.
• Accountable for accurate underwriting documentation/information in account management systems; adheres to documentation standards and ensures accuracy and integrity of all information in account files, keeping them up to date.
• Effectively evaluates bond forms and contract documents to assess risk.
• Keeps management apprised of issues of importance to the Branch and to the Company.
• May assist in the development or supervision of Associate Underwriters or Underwriting Trainees as determined by Manager or Supervisor.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Underwriting

Agency relationships

Communication skills

Analytical ability

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree or related industry experience

Business/Finance/Accounting background preferred

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Lotus Notes

U/W System

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. 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

Produce and underwrite new and renewal business from assigned agents/brokers in the primary line of business. Seeks to achieve 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. 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.

• Underwrites, assesses and manages assigned portfolio of accounts in a particular line or lines of business with supervision of his/her Manager or Supervisor and can effectively underwrite both performance and non-performance bonds.
• Understand and execute personal and branch objectives and strategies to produce budgeted results.
• Develops and leverages productive agency/client relationships through a high level of visibility with agents, brokers and clients in support of business objectives.
• Plans and executes frequent 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.
• Communicates the mission and objectives of BSG in account meetings with confidence, clear communication, good listening skills, professionalism, and empathy to be a trusted adviser and valued partner.
• 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 BSG brand.
• Accountable for accurate underwriting documentation/information in account management systems; adheres to documentation standards and ensures accuracy and integrity of all information in account files, keeping them up to date.
• Effectively evaluates bond forms and contract documents to assess risk.
• Keeps management apprised of issues of importance to the Branch and to the Company.
• May assist in the development or supervision of Associate Underwriters or Underwriting Trainees as determined by Manager or Supervisor.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4-year degree or related industry experience.
• Business/Finance/Accounting majors preferred, but not required.
• 2-4 years of surety industry or related experience required.
• Banking or credit analysis background is a plus.
• Demonstrates ability to read, analyze, discuss, and interpret financial statements, bond forms, contract documents, and government regulations, reaching appropriate risk assessment conclusions.
• Effective oral and written communication skills and ability to write clear reports and business correspondence.
• Ability to solve practical problems and appropriately handle a variety of variables where limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret written, oral, diagram, or schedule instructions effectively.
• Proficiency with automation tools provided by BSG (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Lotus Notes, U/W System, etc.).
• Ability to organize and handle small to medium volumes of information with supervision from a direct Manager or Supervisor.

Benefits

• Base Salary Range: $100k–$125k depending on experience.
• Eligible to participate in annual discretionary bonus.
• Benefits include health, dental, vision, life, disability, wellness, paid time off, 401(k) and profit‑sharing plans.

Additional Company Details

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third party recruiting agencies or firms.

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Sponsorship Details

Sponsorship not offered for this role.