Underwriting Specialist, Core Contract Surety

OverviewZurich Canada is seeking a Senior Surety Specialist to enhance underwriting, marketing, and financial & credit analysis skills as part of the Toronto Contract Surety team. This hybrid role reports to the National Director, Core Contract Surety and involves new business production, underwriting and retention of accounts, with moderate to high technical complexity, and a focus on profitability and customer service.What you will doProduction and underwriting of new and existing contract surety business.Serve as key contact and underwrite an assigned portfolio of accounts with a modest level of autonomy.Assess customer financial, technical, and organizational capacity within Zurich’s appetite and policies.Provide recommendations on bond and account support using financial and credit analysis.Develop new relationships with brokers and manage existing relationships to seek new account opportunities.Make broker/customer and on-site calls with planned purpose; negotiate terms & conditions.Participate in team meetings; share updates on portfolio, brokers, territory, and market intelligence.Engage in target account processes and manage a qualified list of opportunities.Support cross-sell and external marketing efforts; contribute to underwriting manuals and guidelines.Attend industry, broker, and customer events; maintain visibility in the office as required.Model behaviors aligned with corporate values and provide guidance to teammates.Manage personal development; travel as required; extended hours during peak periods; maintain valid driver’s license.Job QualificationsRequired:University degree or post-secondary education in finance, accounting, banking (credit) or construction-related experience.Industry and surety product knowledge including legal and regulatory environment.Well-developed broker network and understanding of broker relationship model.Understanding of broker relationship structure.Experience with tight deadlines for requests and new account submissions.Effective risk assessment skills; independent and strategic thinker with strong negotiation skills.Confident decision-maker with attention to detail; excellent communication and presentation skills.Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team; strong broker relationships.Effective in relationship building, active listening, needs analysis, multi-tasking, and negotiation; high level of customer service.Excellent listening, verbal, written communication, and interpersonal skills.Minimum of five years of relevant surety experience.Preferred:Banking and/or construction industry experience; Developer Surety experience.Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.Our CultureWe are committed to Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging and strive to reflect the communities in which we live and work.We have a collaborative culture and value diverse perspectives; we provide tools to help our employees make an impact.Comprehensive health/benefits plan and a competitive total compensation package; four weeks of vacation and four personal days per year.We support continuous training and development; we are committed to giving back to our communities.About Zurich CanadaZurich Canada is part of the Zurich Insurance Group, a multi-line insurer with approximately 55,000 employees worldwide. Zurich Canada serves mid-sized and large companies in the Canadian commercial market and has over 500 employees in offices across the country. Zurich aims to be a premier partner for risk management and to help meet current and future risk challenges. Read more at www.zurichcanada.com. #J-18808-Ljbffr