Zurich North America
Executive Underwriter OR AVP, Underwriting Director- Contract Surety
Zurich North America, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Executive Underwriter OR AVP, Underwriting Director- Contract Surety
Zurich Insurance is currently looking for an Executive Underwriter or AVP, Underwriting Director for Contract Surety. This is a highly technical, market‑facing position requiring experience with surety lines of business.
Location & Travel : The ideal candidate will be located in Owings Mills, Maryland; hybrid options include East Pennsylvania, Bethesda, Maryland, Washington DC, or Northern Virginia. Travel is required approximately 20% of the time.
Responsibilities
Work under minimal direction to underwrite and analyze new and renewal business within delegated authority levels for highly complex assignments.
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.
Develop and maintain relationships with distributors (agents & brokers) in support of business retention and acquisition.
Act as a help point for agents, brokers and customers.
Contribute to the development of proposals and provide technical guidance, assistance, and training to lower‑level underwriters.
Proactively seek renewal and new account opportunities.
Complete detailed opportunity assessments with key distributors to identify growth opportunities.
Qualify accounts to align with the organization’s appetite while maintaining sound business opportunity.
Make agent/broker/customer and on‑site calls with a planned and well‑prepared purpose.
Negotiate terms & conditions and close deals.
Cross‑sell other lines of business to increase product density with the account.
Participate in sales team meetings related to assigned brokers and/or territory.
Proactively engage in the target account process, managing a qualified list of opportunities 90‑120 days prior to effective date.
Update required systems with details of broker/client visits and account status within specified time frames.
Serve as key contact for assigned target accounts.
Develop strong broker and client networks related to industries underwritten by the business unit.
Calculate target price accurately using underwriting tools.
Sponsor/lead product development.
Develop training.
Manage emerging business issues and resolve technical problems for the company.
Provide expertise on coverage issues with claims.
Develop underwriting manuals, programs, and guidelines.
Handle and review large/complex underwriting submissions and annual reviews.
Benchmark and establish best practices.
Act as mentor.
Basic Qualifications Executive Underwriter
High School Diploma or Equivalent and 5+ years of experience in underwriting, banking, mortgage, finance, or market‑facing area.
High School Diploma or Equivalent and 10+ years of experience in claims or underwriting support area.
Zurich approved Apprenticeship program including an associate degree and 3+ years of experience in underwriting, banking, mortgage, finance, or market‑facing area.
Zurich approved Apprenticeship program including an associate degree and 8+ years of experience in claims or underwriting support area.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office.
Experience working with time restraints for quotes on new and renewal business.
Experience working in a team environment.
AVP, Underwriting Director
High School Diploma or Equivalent and 7+ years of experience in underwriting, market‑facing area, finance, accounting, or banking.
High School Diploma or Equivalent and 14+ years of experience in claims or underwriting support area.
Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an associate degree and 5+ years of experience in underwriting, market‑facing area, finance, accounting, or banking.
Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an associate degree and 12+ years of experience in claims or underwriting support area.
Experience with Microsoft Office.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree
Advanced knowledge and practice of lines of business.
Strong knowledge of underwriting philosophy, techniques, national/local filing regulations, and guidelines.
Ability to effectively assess risk.
Ability to work in a team‑based environment.
Knowledge of time restraints for quotes on new and renewal business.
Strong presentation skills.
Compensation At Zurich, compensation for roles is influenced by location, role, skill set, and level of experience. The combined salary range for this position is $103,300.00–$223,700.00.
Executive Underwriter level: $103,300.00–$169,100.00 (15% short‑term incentive bonus eligibility). AVP, Underwriting Director level: $136,500.00–$223,700.00 (20% short‑term incentive bonus eligibility).
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.
Recruitment Policy 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, use our Recruiting Agency Portal for resume submission.
Work Arrangement Locations: Owings Mills, Maryland; East Pennsylvania; Bethesda, Maryland; Washington DC; Northern Virginia. Remote Working: Hybrid. Schedule: Full‑time. Employment Sponsorship Offered: No.
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Location & Travel : The ideal candidate will be located in Owings Mills, Maryland; hybrid options include East Pennsylvania, Bethesda, Maryland, Washington DC, or Northern Virginia. Travel is required approximately 20% of the time.
Responsibilities
Work under minimal direction to underwrite and analyze new and renewal business within delegated authority levels for highly complex assignments.
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.
Develop and maintain relationships with distributors (agents & brokers) in support of business retention and acquisition.
Act as a help point for agents, brokers and customers.
Contribute to the development of proposals and provide technical guidance, assistance, and training to lower‑level underwriters.
Proactively seek renewal and new account opportunities.
Complete detailed opportunity assessments with key distributors to identify growth opportunities.
Qualify accounts to align with the organization’s appetite while maintaining sound business opportunity.
Make agent/broker/customer and on‑site calls with a planned and well‑prepared purpose.
Negotiate terms & conditions and close deals.
Cross‑sell other lines of business to increase product density with the account.
Participate in sales team meetings related to assigned brokers and/or territory.
Proactively engage in the target account process, managing a qualified list of opportunities 90‑120 days prior to effective date.
Update required systems with details of broker/client visits and account status within specified time frames.
Serve as key contact for assigned target accounts.
Develop strong broker and client networks related to industries underwritten by the business unit.
Calculate target price accurately using underwriting tools.
Sponsor/lead product development.
Develop training.
Manage emerging business issues and resolve technical problems for the company.
Provide expertise on coverage issues with claims.
Develop underwriting manuals, programs, and guidelines.
Handle and review large/complex underwriting submissions and annual reviews.
Benchmark and establish best practices.
Act as mentor.
Basic Qualifications Executive Underwriter
High School Diploma or Equivalent and 5+ years of experience in underwriting, banking, mortgage, finance, or market‑facing area.
High School Diploma or Equivalent and 10+ years of experience in claims or underwriting support area.
Zurich approved Apprenticeship program including an associate degree and 3+ years of experience in underwriting, banking, mortgage, finance, or market‑facing area.
Zurich approved Apprenticeship program including an associate degree and 8+ years of experience in claims or underwriting support area.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office.
Experience working with time restraints for quotes on new and renewal business.
Experience working in a team environment.
AVP, Underwriting Director
High School Diploma or Equivalent and 7+ years of experience in underwriting, market‑facing area, finance, accounting, or banking.
High School Diploma or Equivalent and 14+ years of experience in claims or underwriting support area.
Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an associate degree and 5+ years of experience in underwriting, market‑facing area, finance, accounting, or banking.
Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an associate degree and 12+ years of experience in claims or underwriting support area.
Experience with Microsoft Office.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree
Advanced knowledge and practice of lines of business.
Strong knowledge of underwriting philosophy, techniques, national/local filing regulations, and guidelines.
Ability to effectively assess risk.
Ability to work in a team‑based environment.
Knowledge of time restraints for quotes on new and renewal business.
Strong presentation skills.
Compensation At Zurich, compensation for roles is influenced by location, role, skill set, and level of experience. The combined salary range for this position is $103,300.00–$223,700.00.
Executive Underwriter level: $103,300.00–$169,100.00 (15% short‑term incentive bonus eligibility). AVP, Underwriting Director level: $136,500.00–$223,700.00 (20% short‑term incentive bonus eligibility).
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.
Recruitment Policy 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, use our Recruiting Agency Portal for resume submission.
Work Arrangement Locations: Owings Mills, Maryland; East Pennsylvania; Bethesda, Maryland; Washington DC; Northern Virginia. Remote Working: Hybrid. Schedule: Full‑time. Employment Sponsorship Offered: No.
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