Commercial Surety Regional Manager

Key Accountabilities/Deliverables

• Underwriting Leadership
• Serve as lead underwriter for the assigned territory.
• Analyze, evaluate, and approve commercial surety submissions within delegated authority.
• Review and assess financial statements, interim financial 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 other risk mitigation measures.
• Determine appropriate capacity, pricing, and terms for new and renewal business.
• Maintain underwriting quality and adherence to company guidelines and authority levels.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Customer and Broker Service
• Deliver responsive, solution-oriented service to brokers and insureds.
• Resolve complex underwriting issues and relationship challenges.
• Maintain a high level of 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.

Technical Knowledge and Understanding

• Strong knowledge and understanding in commercial surety.
• Strong financial statement analysis and credit underwriting skills.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to exercise independent underwriting judgment.

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or related field is required.
• Advanced degree or professional certifications (e.g. AFSB, CPCU, etc.) is preferred.
• Proven experience (typically 5+ years) in underwriting roles within the surety industry.
• Demonstrated success developing agency relationships and generating profitable growth.
• Proven business development and marketing experience.
• Willingness to travel throughout assigned territory.