VP, Sr. UW Manager - Surety Commercial

Zurich Insurance; New York (NY); Remote; USD 200,000 - 285,000; Full time

Job summary

Zurich Insurance in the United States seeks a VP, Sr. UW Manager - Surety Commercial for the Northeast, ideally NYC. Lead a team of production underwriters, develop talent, and drive profitable surety with strategic underwriting and strong broker relationships.

Role requires coaching, policy development, and collaboration with actuaries to set appropriate rate structures. Travel 15–20% to support the team and broker network across the region.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years of experience in the Underwriting, Market Facing, Broker, Carrier or Risk Management area within the Commercial Insurance industry
• Experience in a specialized line of business or segment
• 2+ years of people management experience
• Bachelor’s Degree with 20+ years of experience in Claims or Underwriting Support area within the Commercial Insurance industry

Responsibilities

• Managing a team of market facing underwriters, providing continuous coaching, and acting as a mentor to the team
• Overseeing development plans for underwriters to ensure they have the capabilities to drive profitable business results
• Developing processes and reviewing policies relevant to underwriting to ensure they are in line with strategic business objectives
• Identifying market trends and coverage exposures that may impact business results, working with our actuaries to insure a proper rate / price structure
• Managing relationships with key internal stakeholders to identify opportunities for service improvement to ensure commercial viability and customer satisfaction
• Participating in leadership team meetings to provide specialist guidance and enable the implementation of policies, projects, and change initiatives to produce profitable results
• Contributing to the business strategy to align underwriting strategy with wider business goals
• Underwriting and analyzing new and renewal business within delegated authority levels
• Recommending and implement action plans after reviewing agency books of business and profit/growth results and trends
• Developing and maintaining relationships with distributors (agents and brokers) in support of business retention and profitable new business
• Working with customers and distributors (agents & brokers) to determine their insurance-related needs and provide solutions

Skills

Leadership

Underwriting

Team management

Broker relationships

Strategic planning

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

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VP, Sr. UW Manager - Surety Commercial

137652

Zurich is currently looking for an VP, Sr. UW Manager - Surety Commercial in the East Region. Although our preference is for the individual to be based out of New York City, we would also consider other locations within the Northeast Region. (You will be expected to travel as necessary to support the needs of the team and to cultivate key broker relationships within the region (15-20%).

This is a great opportunity to utilize your management skills to help us profitably manage our Commercial Surety book of business. This is a critical leadership position that will focus on developing our underwriting talent and driving and cultivating broker relationships. We are looking for a Leader that will exercise strong technical underwriting knowledge while managing a team of production underwriters. A Leader that will empower, develop, and drive a cohesive team in delivering on our strategy in an appetite appropriate manner that strengthens our market positioning. This role requires an influential approach to business relationships and oversight on strategic underwriting practices.

TheVP, Sr. UW Manager - Surety Commercial is responsible for:

• Managing a team of market facing underwriters, providing continuous coaching, and acting as a mentor to the team.
• Overseeing development plans for underwriters to ensure they have the capabilities to drive profitable business results.
• Developing processes and reviewing policies relevant to underwriting to ensure they are in line with strategic business objectives.
• Identifying market trends and coverage exposures that may impact business results, working with our actuaries to insure a proper rate / price structure
• Managing relationships with key internal stakeholders to identify opportunities for service improvement to ensure commercial viability and customer satisfaction.
• Participating in leadership team meetings to provide specialist guidance and enable the implementation of policies, projects, and change initiatives to produce profitable results.
• Contributing to the business strategy to align underwriting strategy with wider business goals.
• Underwriting and analyzing new and renewal business within delegated authority levels.
• Recommending and implement action plans after reviewing agency books of business and profit/growth results and trends.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with distributors (agents and brokers) in support of business retention and profitable new business
• Working with customers and distributors (agents & brokers) to determine their insurance-related needs and provide solutions.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and 10 or more years of experience in the Underwriting, Market Facing, Broker, Carrier or Risk Management area within the Commercial Insurance industry
  OR
• Bachelor’s Degree with 20 or more years of experience in Claims or Underwriting Support area within the Commercial Insurance industry AND
• Experience in Experience in a specialized line of business or segment
• 2 or more years of people management experience

• Bachelor’s degree and 10 or more years of experience in the Underwriting, Market Facing, Broker, Carrier or Risk Management area within the Commercial Insurance industry
  OR
• Bachelor’s Degree with 20 or more years of experience in Claims or Underwriting Support area within the Commercial Insurance industry AND
• Experience in Experience in a specialized line of business or segment
• 2 or more years of people management experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced knowledge and practice of line/s of business
• Strategic planning and execution experience
• Strong team building and organization skills
• Strong verbal and written and communication skills
• Experience managing complex portfolios
• Technical knowledge of insurance industry operations and processes
• Knowledge in risk selection and strategical components of anticipating the market environment
• CPCU

Your pay at Zurich is based on your role, location, skills, and experience. We follow local laws to ensure fair compensation. You may also be eligible for bonuses and merit increases. If your expectations are above the listed range, we still encourage you to apply—your unique background matters to us. The pay range shown is a national average and may vary by location. The proposed Salary range for this position is $200,000.00 - $285,000.00, with Global Specialty Incentive Plan bonus eligibility set at 50%.

We offer competitive pay and comprehensive benefits for employees and their families. [Learn more about Total Rewards here .]

At Zurich, we value your ideas and experience. We offer growth, inclusion, and a supportive environment—so you can help shape the future of insurance. Zurich North America is a leader in risk management, with over 150 years of expertise and coverage across 25+ industries, including 90% of the Fortune 500®.

Join us for a brighter future—for yourself and our customers.

Zurich in North America does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy or other characteristics protected by applicable law. Equal Opportunity Employer disability/vets.

Zurich complies with 18 U.S. Code § 1033.

Please note: Zurich does not accept unsolicited CVs from agencies. Preferred vendors should use our Recruiting Agency Portal.

Location(s): AM - New York, AM - New Jersey Virtual Office, AM - Pennsylvania Virtual Office
Remote Working: Yes
Schedule: Full Time
Employment Sponsorship Offered:No

Linkedin Recruiter Tag: #LI-KJ1 #LI-EXECUTIVE #LI-REMOTE