Commercial Surety Regional Manager

About the Role

The Commercial Surety Regional Manager serves as the senior underwriting leader for an assigned territory, responsible for underwriting, marketing, production, profitability, and overall management of a regional Commercial Surety portfolio. This highly market-facing position focuses on profitable business development, agency management, and underwriting execution while maintaining strong relationships with agents, brokers, principals, indemnitors, and other business partners.

Responsibilities

• Underwriting Leadership
  • Serve as lead underwriter for the assigned territory.
  • Analyze, evaluate, and approve commercial surety submissions within delegated authority.
  • Review financial statements, interim reports, work-in-progress schedules, bank agreements, credit reports, tax returns, and other underwriting information.
  • Structure and negotiate underwriting terms, collateral requirements, indemnity agreements, and risk mitigation measures.
  • Determine appropriate capacity, pricing, and terms for new and renewal business.
  • Monitor portfolio performance and take corrective action to achieve profitability objectives.
  • Participate in large account reviews and referral discussions.
  • Maintain underwriting quality and adherence to company guidelines and authority levels.
• Customer and Broker Service
  • Deliver responsive, solution-oriented service to brokers and insureds.
  • Resolve complex underwriting issues and relationship challenges.
  • Maintain high market visibility and accessibility.
  • Collaborate with claims, legal, accounting, and operations departments to support business objectives.
  • Travel throughout the territory to maintain agency and client relationships.
• Leadership and Talent Development
  • Recruit, train, mentor, and develop commercial surety underwriters.
  • Provide technical underwriting guidance and coaching.
  • Assist in establishing underwriting goals and performance expectations.
  • Promote underwriting consistency and best practices across the region.
  • Participate in succession planning and employee development initiatives.
  • Foster a collaborative, performance-oriented culture focused on underwriting excellence and customer service.
• Portfolio and Profitability Management
  • Own profit and loss results for the assigned region.
  • Manage portfolio mix, pricing adequacy, retention, and growth metrics.
  • Monitor premium volume, loss ratio, expense ratio, and collection objectives.
  • Conduct periodic book reviews to identify trends, opportunities, and emerging risks.
  • Evaluate agency performance and manage agency relationships accordingly.
  • Recommend strategic actions to improve profitability and operational performance.
  • Assist senior leadership with budgeting, business planning, and forecasting.
• Marketing and Business Development
  • Develop and execute regional marketing and production plans.
  • Build and strengthen relationships with retail and wholesale surety brokers.
  • Identify and develop new business opportunities consistent with company risk appetite.
  • Conduct regular agency visits and joint sales calls.
  • Represent the company at industry events, agency meetings, conferences, and association functions.
  • Drive submission flow and increase market visibility throughout the territory.
  • Establish agency business plans and monitor production goals.
  • Maintain strong relationships with key distribution partners and strategic accounts.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or related field (required).
• Advanced degree or professional certifications (e.g., AFSB, CPCU) (preferred).
• 5+ years of underwriting experience within the surety industry.
• Strong financial statement analysis and credit underwriting skills.
• Demonstrated success developing agency relationships and generating profitable growth.
• Proven business development and marketing experience.
• Willingness to travel throughout the assigned territory.
• Authorization to work for any employer in the U.S. (no sponsorship available).

Skills

• Strong technical underwriting expertise, including knowledge of surety principles, financial risk assessment, and bond forms.
• Excellent analytical and decision-making skills for assessing complex risks and providing solutions.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for building relationships and managing stakeholder expectations.
• Proficiency in underwriting software systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and Adobe.
• Quantitative analysis skills.
• Ability to present and negotiate complex agreements with brokers.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• 401(k) plan with 100% company match on a 6% contribution.
• Employee Assistance Plan.
• Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), and Health Reimbursement Account (HRA).
• Wellness program.
• Opportunities for professional development and advancement.