Contract Surety Underwriter

About the role

My client is a family-owned specialty insurance company headquartered in Maryland. Licensed in all 50 states, they underwrite and service surety bonds, bail bonds, contractual liability insurance, and non-admitted E&S businesses. This role can be anywhere in the US and is fully remote! The Commercial Surety Underwriter will be responsible for evaluating, underwriting, pricing, and servicing commercial surety accounts within established authority. The position will work closely with producers, insureds, and internal partners to develop profitable business while maintaining appropriate underwriting discipline and risk management standards. This role is particularly well suited to an underwriter who understands that successful commercial surety underwriting requires more than simply reviewing financial statements. The ideal candidate will be comfortable evaluating the overall character, financial condition, credit profile, business operations, and specific obligation associated with each account.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite new and renewal commercial surety accounts within assigned authority.
• Analyze financial statements, credit reports, applications, indemnity agreements, and other relevant underwriting information.
• Evaluate the financial strength, creditworthiness, experience, and overall risk profile of applicants and indemnitors.
• Underwrite a broad range of commercial surety products, including:
  • License and permit bonds
  • Court and judicial bonds
  • Fiduciary/probate bonds
  • Public official bonds
  • Utility deposit bonds
  • Motor vehicle dealer bonds
  • Miscellaneous commercial obligations
  • Other specialty and non-standard surety risks
• Establish appropriate terms, conditions, collateral requirements, indemnity requirements, and pricing.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with agents, brokers, and surety producers.

Qualifications

• 1+ year of commercial surety underwriting experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of commercial surety products and underwriting principles.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze financial statements and assess credit risk.
• Established relationships with independent insurance agents, brokers, and/or surety producers preferred.
• Strong understanding of the Tennessee commercial surety marketplace preferred.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-management skills.
• Ability to independently evaluate risks and make sound underwriting decisions.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to balance production and business development with disciplined underwriting.
• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, insurance, accounting, or a related field preferred; equivalent industry experience will be considered.

Skills

The ideal candidate is a commercially minded underwriter who enjoys having a voice in underwriting decisions and building long-term producer relationships. You should be comfortable working in a relatively entrepreneurial environment where responsiveness, creativity, and sound judgment are valued. We're looking for someone who can say "yes" when the risk makes sense, explain clearly when it doesn't, and find creative solutions when a traditional approach isn't appropriate.

Benefits

Competitive compensation and benefits. Flexible work arrangement with Tennessee-based candidates strongly preferred. Opportunity for career growth within an expanding specialty insurance organization. Meaningful underwriting authority and autonomy. Opportunity to build and grow a Tennessee/Southeast commercial surety portfolio. Direct access to experienced surety leadership. Relationship-focused culture rather than a highly bureaucratic environment. Opportunity to work with a broad range of commercial surety risks.