Underwriting Specialist, Commercial Surety

Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Hanover Insurance Group is seeking an Underwriting Specialist for the Central Region within our Commercial Surety team. This role focuses on profitable underwriting growth, portfolio management, and building strong agency relationships across the Midwest.

The position offers hybrid and fully remote options within Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, or Michigan, with travel across the Midwest for meetings and market development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• AFSB designation preferred.
• 2-5+ years of Commercial Surety underwriting experience.
• 2–4+ years of successful agency relationship management and business development experience.
• Strong understanding of commercial surety underwriting principles, financial analysis, pricing, and portfolio management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, negotiation, and relationship-management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage and grow an assigned book of commercial surety business with moderate to high technical complexity.
• Identify, solicit, underwrite, and retain profitable new and renewal surety accounts aligned with underwriting appetite and portfolio objectives.
• Develop and maintain strong agency, broker, and client relationships to support business growth and retention.
• Analyze financial statements, operational exposures, bond obligations, and risk mitigation factors to make sound underwriting decisions.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to evaluate complex submissions and obtain appropriate approvals.
• Apply underwriting principles related to risk selection, exposure analysis, bond form review, loss analysis, and pricing.
• Clearly communicate underwriting decisions, terms, and recommendations to agents and brokers.
• Manage portfolio performance against premium, profitability, retention, product mix, and new business objectives.
• Utilize marketplace and competitor intelligence to enhance decision-making and strengthen producer relationships.
• Proactively market Hanover’s surety capabilities and identify opportunities for cross-selling across business units.
• Stay current on industry trends, market conditions, and regulatory developments affecting the territory.

Skills

Underwriting

Agency relationships

Financial analysis

Pricing

Portfolio management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

AFSB designation preferred

Job description

Our Commercial Surety team is seeking an Underwriting Specialist to join our Central Region. This role is based in the Midwest, with a preference for candidates located in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, or Michigan. We offer flexible work arrangements, including hybrid and fully remote options within those states, along with travel throughout the Midwest to support agency relationships, drive market development, and participate in key business meetings.

At The Hanover, our culture is grounded in our CARE Values— we care deeply about our people, our customers, and the communities we serve. We foster an inclusive, collaborative environment where experienced professionals are empowered to make decisions, share ideas, and grow their careers while contributing to shared business goals.

We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organization committed to attracting, developing, and retaining top talent. We believe diverse perspectives strengthen our teams, enhance performance, and deepen the meaningful relationships we build with our colleagues, customers, and business partners every day.

THIS IS A FULL-TIME, EXEMPT ROLE.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Commercial Surety Department is seeking an experienced Underwriting Specialist to join the Central Region team. This role is responsible for the profitable underwriting growth, and management of a commercial surety portfolio through strong technical expertise, agency relationships, and strategic business development.

IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL

• Independently manage and grow an assigned book of commercial surety business with moderate to high technical complexity.
• Identify, solicit, underwrite, and retain profitable new and renewal surety accounts aligned with underwriting appetite and portfolio objectives.
• Develop and maintain strong agency, broker, and client relationships to support business growth and retention.
• Analyze financial statements, operational exposures, bond obligations, and risk mitigation factors to make sound underwriting decisions.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to evaluate complex submissions and obtain appropriate approvals.
• Apply underwriting principles related to risk selection, exposure analysis, bond form review, loss analysis, and pricing.
• Clearly communicate underwriting decisions, terms, and recommendations to agents and brokers.
• Manage portfolio performance against premium, profitability, retention, product mix, and new business objectives.
• Utilize marketplace and competitor intelligence to enhance decision-making and strengthen producer relationships.
• Proactively market Hanover’s surety capabilities and identify opportunities for cross-selling across business units.
• Stay current on industry trends, market conditions, and regulatory developments affecting the territory.

WHAT YOU NEED TO APPLY

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.

• AFSB designation preferred
• 2-5+ years of Commercial Surety underwriting experience.
• 2–4+ years of successful agency relationship management and business development experience.
• Strong understanding of commercial surety underwriting principles, financial analysis, pricing, and portfolio management.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate and negotiate complex surety risks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to confidently deliver technical underwriting decisions.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, negotiation, and relationship-management capabilities.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing business conditions and embrace new approaches and ideas.