AVP Commercial Surety Underwriting Officer

Zurich Insurance - Dallas, TX

Full-time - Mid Level

Remote - Dallas, TX

Insurance Carriers and Related Activities

About the position

Zurich North America is seeking an experienced Commercial Surety Underwriting Officer at the AVP or VP level to join our Commercial Surety team within the Southern Region. This position is critical as it involves the overall account management, business development, and analysis of a highly complex book of Commercial Surety Accounts. The ideal candidate will possess a positive attitude, a strong financial background including credit analysis, and excellent communication and presentation skills. Time management and negotiation skills are also essential for success in this role. Underwriters will utilize the Zurich Way of Underwriting Framework within delegated authority levels on highly complex assignments, ensuring a high level of service to customers. This role presents a unique opportunity for an experienced Commercial Surety Underwriter to leverage their analytical skills and entrepreneurial spirit while developing and maintaining relationships with our Southern Region Brokers and Customers to write profitable business. The position can be based out of our Houston or Dallas offices, but we are also open to candidates from other significant locations within the Southern Region, including Austin, San Antonio, or virtual options within Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The responsibilities of this role include proactively seeking renewal and new account opportunities, qualifying accounts to align with the organization's appetite, negotiating terms and conditions, and closing deals. Additionally, the underwriter will cross-sell other lines of business to increase product density with the account, update required systems with details of broker/client visits and account status, calculate target prices accurately using underwriting tools, and diagnose and develop recommendations to solve unique business unit and customer problems. The underwriter will also administer and monitor underwriting rules and guidelines, insurance laws and regulations, and rating manuals, working at the highest authority limits on assignments that require a high degree of technical complexity and coordination.

Responsibilities

• Proactively seek renewal and new account opportunities.
• Qualify accounts to meet the organization's appetite balanced with sound business opportunity.
• Negotiate Terms & Conditions and close deals.
• Cross-Sell other lines of business to increase product density with the account.
• Update required systems with details of broker/client visits and account status within specified time frame.
• Calculate Target Price accurately by utilizing underwriting tools appropriately.
• Diagnose and develop recommendations to solve unique business unit and customer problems.
• Demonstrate specialized knowledge and expertise in products and industry.
• Administer and monitor underwriting rules and guidelines, insurance laws and regulations, and rating manuals.
• Work at the highest authority limits on assignments utilizing the highest degree of technical complexity and coordination.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 5 or more years of experience in Underwriting, Market Facing, Finance, Accounting, or Banking area OR High School Diploma or Equivalent and 10 or more years of experience in Claims or Underwriting Support area OR Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 3 or more years in Underwriting, Market Facing, Finance, Accounting, or Banking area OR Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 8 or more years of experience in Claims or Underwriting Support area.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of time restraints for quotes on new and renewal business.
• Experience working in a team environment.
• For VP Level: High School Diploma or Equivalent and 7 or more years of experience in Underwriting or Market Facing, Finance, Accounting, or Banking area OR High School Diploma or Equivalent and 14 or more years of experience in Claims or Underwriting Support area OR Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 5 or more years of experience in Underwriting or Market Facing area OR Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 12 or more years of experience in Claims or Underwriting Support area.

Nice-to-haves

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Surety knowledge/experience and knowledge of the legal and regulatory guidelines.
• Understanding of structure of broker relationships.
• Ability to analyze and understand complicated credit assessments, trends, and strategies.
• Investigative skills to develop an understanding of business strategies, trends, complex contracts, assessment of long-term obligations and organizational character.
• Ability to coherently articulate these strategies and financial concepts, formulating fact-based conclusions and recommendations.
• Prior experience managing/growing a profitable portfolio of customers.
• Negotiation experience with brokers and large, international, and national organizations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Benefits

• Comprehensive employee benefits package for employees and eligible dependents.
• Competitive compensation.
• Ongoing career development opportunities.
• Diversity and inclusion initiatives.