VP, Contract Surety Underwriter

Zurich 56 Company Ltd; Alabama; Hybrid; USD 98,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

A major insurance firm is seeking a VP, Contract Surety Underwriter to manage Surety business relationships and underwriting strategies. Candidates must have significant experience in Underwriting or Market Facing roles, with a focus on building customer relationships. The position allows for remote work within specific regions and involves competitive compensation, including a short-term incentive bonus.

Benefits

401K match

Short-term incentive bonuses

Qualifications

• 5 or more years of experience in Underwriting or Market Facing area.
• Knowledge of Surety lines and legal guidelines.
• Experience working in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite and analyze new and renewal Surety business.
• Establish new and develop existing agency and broker relationships.
• Ensure adherence to underwriting guidelines and insurance laws.

Skills

Experience with Surety lines of business

Relationship building

Active listening

Win-win negotiation

Customer service

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

VP, Contract Surety Underwriter

Zurich Insurance is currently looking for an AVP or VP, Contract Surety Underwriting Officer - Core Contract Surety Division. This is a highly technical and market facing position and requires experience with Surety lines of business. We are open to hiring talent located within the South region at different locations. Our ideal candidate would live in Mississippi or Alabama. We are open to hiring talent for our offices in Ridgeland, MS or Birmingham, AL. We may, at the discretion of the hiring manager, be open to hiring remotely in Mississippi or Alabama. This position will require about 25% travel.

This role will be filled at either the AVP or VP level. The hiring manager will determine the appropriate level based upon the selected applicant’s experience and skill set relative to the qualifications listed for this position. Compensation includes base salary with short-term incentive eligibility, as well as a generous 401K match.

As a member of Zurich's Surety Underwriting Team you will enjoy the opportunity to fully apply and hone your underwriting and marketing skills. Specifically, you will underwrite and analyze new and renewal Surety business utilizing The Zurich Way of Underwriting Framework within delegated authority levels on assignments of higher technical complexity ensuring a high-level service to customers. Our Underwriters are Client Externally Focused and the job’s core deliverables rely on delivering service to external clients and/or customers. Typically involves building relationships and promoting the company.

Our AVP/VP, Contract Surety Underwriting Officer is responsible for:

• Production and underwriting of new and renewal Surety business
• Internal marketing and production within Zurich North America in support of our cross-sell efforts
• Execution of the external marketing strategy
• Adherence to underwriting rules and guidelines, insurance laws, regulations and the Zurich Way of underwriting
• Establish new as well as develop existing agency and broker relationships
• Working within limits and authorities on assignments of varying degrees of complexity

AVP, Contract Surety Underwriting Officer Basic Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 5 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area
  OR
• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 10 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area
  OR
• Zurich approved Apprenticeship program including an Associate Degree and 3 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area
  OR
• Zurich approved Apprenticeship program including an Associate Degree and 8 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area
  AND
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Experience working on time restraints for quotes on new and renewal business
• Experience working in a team environment
• Knowledge of Surety line/s of business and the legal and regulatory guidelines

OR

VP, Contract Surety Underwriting Officer Basic Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 7 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area
  OR
• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 14 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area
  OR
• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 5 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area
  OR
• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 12 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area
  AND
• Experience with Microsoft Office

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• In-depth knowledge of ContractSuretylines of business
• Ability to effectively assess risk
• Strong broker relationships in South region, specifically Mississippi and/or Alabama
• Superior skills in relationship building, active listening, needs analysis, and win-win negotiation
• Possess a high level of customer service by meeting or exceeding broker and or customer expectations with respect to required deadlines
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong knowledge of underwriting philosophy, techniques, national/local filing regulations and guidelines

At Zurich, compensation for roles is influenced by a variety of factors, including but not limited to the specific office location, role, skill set, and level of experience. In compliance with local laws, Zurich commits to providing a fair and reasonable compensation range for each role. For more information about our Total Rewards, please click here. Additional rewards may encompass short-term incentive bonuses and merit increases. We encourage candidates with salary expectations beyond the provided range to apply as they will be considered based on their experience, skills, and education. The compensation indicated represents a nationwide market range and has not been adjusted for geographic differentials pertaining to the location where the position may be filled. The combined salary range for this position is $98,500.00 - $215,000.00. The proposed salary range for the AVP is $98,500.00 - $165,000.00, with short-term incentive bonus eligibility set at 15%. The proposed salary range for the VP is $130,000.00 - $215,000.00, with short-term incentive bonus eligibility set at 20%.

As an equal opportunity employer, Zurich North America is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Zurich does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Any unsolicited resume will become the property of Zurich American Insurance. If you are a preferred vendor, please use our Recruiting Agency Portal for resume submission.