Underwriter II, Commercial Bond

AXA Group; Chicago, New York (IL, NY); On-site; USD 97,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Working Arrangements

Enhanced family-friendly leaveBenefits

Five Business Resource Groups/Global D

Job summary

AXA XL in Chicago seeks a Commercial Bond professional to manage a broad territory, underwrite accounts within authority, and develop relationships with agencies and brokers for growth. You will also monitor market conditions and guide portfolio performance to drive profitability.

The role reports to the Underwriting Manager, Commercial Bond, and requires a business degree, pursuit of AFSB/CPCU, and experience in commercial bond underwriting. Strong communication and leadership are essential.

Qualifications

• Education: Undergraduate degree in business, insurance, or a related field preferred.
• License/Certification/Designation: Actively pursuing of AFSB, CPCU or other insurance/finance related certification desired.
• Experience: moderate experience within commercial or contract surety or related underwriting experience preferred.
• Knowledge: Requires in-depthknowledge of contract and/or commercial surety operations products, procedures and practices. Expertise in bond lines of business, ratings, customer environment and markets. Requires extensive knowledge of bond underwriting best practices, field underwriting operations and day-to-day underwriting operational needs. Familiarity with other company products preferred.
• Skills/Competencies: Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills in order to disseminate vision of senior leadership and to motivate a large agency force. Ability to set work priorities and to initiate, evaluate and recommend solutions to upper management.
• Must have the ability to perform duties with independent judgment, with underwriting authority and company underwriting standards.
• Demonstrated decision-making ability required in day-to-day operations.

Responsibilities

• Monitors market conditions and confirms information gathered within market space.
• Analyzes performance of portfolio as well as individual account performance and develops appropriate action to drive profitable growth based upon the analysis.
• Reviews underwriting guidelines and provides input on new guidelines as the Commercial Bond unit expands.
• Actively participates and contributes to operational initiatives within the Commercial Bond unit to execute the operational plan.
• Works with other members of the PRCB team, Specialty and P&C to develop and pursue cross selling opportunities.
• Plans, develops and integrates territory sales plans to achieve top and bottom line objectives.
• Communicates strategic direction and operational plans to external partners.
• Communicates policies, procedures, and financial budgets that result in attainment of business objectives.
• Develops and maintains outstanding business relationships with key groups and individuals within the commercial lines market.
• Develops customer service standards for commercial bond team. Drives customer service performance to established standards.
• Works in partnership with fellow leaders to manage the training of employees and to ensure a high degree of competency and professionalism.
• Sets operational expectations, goals and strategies.

Job description

The primary focus of this role is on broad territory management, which includes relationship, underwriting and expense management. This role develops and maintains business relationships with agencies and/or brokers for the purpose of sales growth and distribution expansion, and independently underwrites accounts based on authority level granted to the role and underwriting appetite.

What you’ll be doing

• Monitors market conditions andconfirmsinformation gathered within market space.

• Analyzes performance of portfolio as well as individual account performance and developsappropriate actionto drive profitable growth based upon the analysis.

• Reviews underwriting guidelines and provides input on new guidelines as the Commercial Bond unit expands.

• Activelyparticipatesand contributes to operational initiatives withinthe Commercial Bond unitto execute the operational plan.

• Works with other members of the PRCB team,Specialtyand P&C to develop and pursue cross selling opportunities.

• Plans,developsand integrates territory sales plans to achieve top andbottom lineobjectives.

• Communicates strategic direction and operationalplans toexternal partners.

• Communicatespolicies, procedures, and financial budgets that result in attainment of businessobjectives.

• Develops andmaintainsoutstandingbusiness relationships with key groups and individuals within the commerciallinesmarket.

• Develops customer service standards for commercial bond team. Drives customer service performance toestablishedstandards.

• Works in partnership with fellow leaders to manage the training of employees and to ensure a high degree of competency and professionalism.

• Setsoperational expectations,goalsand strategies.

You will report to theUnderwriting Manager, Commercial Bond.

What you’ll bring

We’re looking for someone who has these abilities and skills:

• Education: Undergraduate degree in business, insurance, or a related field preferred.

• License/Certification/Designation: Actively pursuing of AFSB, CPCU or other insurance/finance related certification desired.

• Experience: moderate experience within commercial or contract surety or related underwriting experience preferred.

• Knowledge: Requiresin-depthknowledge of contract and/or commercial surety operations products, procedures and practices. Expertise in bond lines of business, ratings, customer environment and markets. Requires extensive knowledge of bond underwriting best practices, field underwriting operations and day-to-day underwriting operational needs. Familiarity with other company products preferred.

• Skills/Competencies: Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills in order to disseminate vision of senior leadership and to motivate a large agency force. Ability to set work priorities and to initiate, evaluate and recommend solutions to upper management.

• Must have the ability to perform duties with independent judgment, with underwriting authority and company underwriting standards.

• Demonstrated decision-making ability required in day-to-day operations.

Who we are

AXA XL, the P&C and specialty risk division of AXA, is known for solving complex risks. For mid-sized companies, multinationals and even some inspirational individuals we don’t just provide re/insurance, we reinvent it.

How? By combining acomprehensiveand efficient capital platform, data-driven insights, leading technology, and the best talent in an agile and inclusive workspace, empowered to deliver top client service across all our lines of business − property, casualty, professional, financial lines and specialty.

With an innovative and flexible approach to risk solutions, we partner with those who move the world forward.

What we offer

Inclusion

AXA XL is committed to equal employment opportunity and will consider applicants regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity and origins, marital status, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic. At AXA XL, we know that an inclusive culture and enables business growth and is critical to our success. That’s why we have made a strategic commitment to attract, develop, advance and retain the most inclusive workforce possible, and create a culture where everyone canbring their full selves to work and reach their highest potential. It’s about helping one another — and our business — to move forward and succeed.

• Five Business Resource Groups focused on gender, LGBTQ+, ethnicity and origins, disability and inclusion with 20 Chapters around the globe.
• Robust support for Flexible Working Arrangements
• Enhanced family-friendly leave benefits
• Named to the Diversity Best Practices Index
• Signatory to the UK Women in Finance Charter

Learn more at Inclusion & Diversity at AXA XL | AXA XL. AXA XL is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Total Rewards

AXA XL’s Reward program is designed to take care of what matters most to you, covering the full picture of your health, wellbeing, lifestyle and financial security. It provides competitive compensation and personalized, inclusive benefits that evolve as you do.

We’re committed to rewarding your contribution for the long term, so you can be your best self today and look forward to the future with confidence.

Sustainability

At AXA XL, Sustainability is integral to our business strategy.In an ever-changing world, AXA XL protects what matters most for our clients and communities. We know that sustainability is at the rootof a more resilient future.Our 2023-26 Sustainability strategy, called “Roots of resilience”, focuses on protecting natural ecosystems, addressing climate change, and embedding sustainable practices across our operations.

• Valuing nature: How we impact nature affects how nature impacts us. Resilient ecosystems - the foundation of a sustainable planet and society – are essential to our future. We’re committed to protecting and restoring nature – from mangrove forests to the bees in our backyard – by increasing biodiversity awareness and inspiring clients and colleagues to put nature at the heart of their plans.
• Addressing climate change: The effects of a changing climate are far-reaching and significant. Unpredictable weather, increasing temperatures, and rising sea levels cause both social inequalities and environmental disruption. We're building a net zero strategy, developing insurance products and services, and mobilizing to advance thought leadership and investment in societal-led solutions.
• Integrating ESG: All companies have a role to play in building a more resilient future. Incorporating ESG considerations into our internal processes and practices builds resilience from the roots of our business. We’re training our colleagues, engaging our external partners, and evolving our sustainability governance and reporting.
• AXA Hearts in Action: We have established volunteering and charitable giving programs to help colleagues support causes that matter most to them, known as AXA XL’s “Hearts in Action” programs. These include our Matching Gifts program, Volunteering Leave, and our annual volunteering day – the Global Day of Giving.

For more information, please see Sustainability at AXA XL.

The U.S. base salary range for this position is $97,100 to 170,000.

Actual pay will be determined based upon the individual’s skills, experience and location. We strive for market alignment and internal equity with our colleagues’ pay.

At AXA XL, we know how important physical, mental, and financial health are to our employees, which is why we are proud to offer benefitssuch as a competitive retirement savings plan, health and wellness programs, and many other benefits. We also believe in fostering ourcolleagues' development and offer a wide range of learning opportunities for colleagues to hone their professional skills and to positionthemselves for the next step of their careers. For more details about AXA XL’s benefits offerings, please visit US Benefits at a Glance 2026.