Commercial Surety Regional Leader

Zurich is currently looking for a Commercial Surety Regional Leader for our Commercial Surety Group in the Central Region. The Central region is the one of the largest regions within Zurich and the territory includes North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee. Although our preference is for the individual to be based in our Chicago or Schaumburg office, we would also consider other significant metropolitan locations within the Midwest. You will be expected to travel as necessary to support the needs of the team and to cultivate key broker relationships within the region.

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.

The Commercial Surety Regional Leader 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.

This role will be filled at a Level 7 (Senior Regional VP) or Level 8 (Territory Underwriting Director). The hiring manager will determine the appropriate level based upon the selected applicant’s experience and skillset relative to the qualifications listed for this position.  

Commercial Surety Underwriting Regional Leader (Level 7) Required 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
  AND
• 2 or more years of management experience

Commercial Surety Regional Underwriting Leader (Level 8) Required 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 Com