Underwriting Specialist, Core Contract Surety

The Opportunity
- Are you looking for a caring, collaborative, values-driven workplace with inspiring teammates and leaders? Do you have the ambition and desire to be the best and thrive at the most impactful global insurance provider in the world? Look no further than Zurich Canada.
- If you have experience in Surety Underwriting and are looking for a new challenge, we would love to hear from you.
- Reporting directly to the National Director, Core Contract Surety, and collaborating with an experienced team of underwriters, this role is both technical and market facing, requiring experience in Contract Surety as you will be responsible for new business production, underwriting and retention of existing accounts under limited direction while actively engaging in the marketplace to elevate the Zurich Canada brand. Your goal will be to maximize underwriting profitability with The Zurich Way of Underwriting Framework within delegated authority levels on accounts of moderate to high technical complexity, while ensuring a high-level service to customers.
- As the Surety Business Unit continues to grow, so will your personal learning and development opportunities. You will develop your underwriting and portfolio optimization skills, all while contributing to Zurich Canada’s overall results. This role offers a flexible, dynamic, and challenging environment for motivated professionals looking to advance their careers in surety underwriting.
- This is a unique opportunity to build your knowledge and experience for the future in a supportive environment where your voice matters.
- This is a hybrid work opportunity.

What you will do
- Production 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.
- Conduct thorough assessments of customer’s financial, technical, and organizational capacity within Zurich’s appetite, balanced with sound business opportunity, in accordance with department policies and procedures.
- Provide detailed recommendations of bond and account support utilizing your skills in financial and credit analysis.
- Proactively seek new account opportunities by managing existing and developing new relationships with key brokers.
- Make broker / customer and on-site calls with a planned and well-prepared purpose.
- Negotiate account and / or bond specific terms & conditions.
- Participate in team meetings, providing updates related to assigned portfolio of accounts, brokers, territory, and market intelligence.
- Proactively engage in the target account process, developing and managing a qualified list of opportunities.
- Internal marketing and production in support of cross-sell efforts.
- External marketing to new and existing broker partners.
- Contribute to development of underwriting manuals, programs, and guidelines.
- Regularly attend industry, broker and customer events and functions.
- Model behaviors that demonstrate commitment to corporate values.
- Provide guidance and support for team members.
- Take action to manage your own personal development.
- Engage in business travel as required.
- Work extended hours during peak periods as required.
- Maintain a valid driver’s license as required.
- Ensure regular predictable attendance.
- Maintain visibility in the office, as required.

Job Qualifications - What you bring to the table

**Required**:

- 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 superior 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 environment.
- 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.
- AND
- Minimum of five years of relevant surety experience.

**Preferred**:

- Banking and / or construction industry experience
- Developer Surety experience
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.

Our Culture
- At Zurich, we are proud of our culture. We are passionate about Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging (DIEB). We want you to bring your whole self to work, and we want our employees to be reflective of the communities in which we live and work. Our DIEB initiatives are creating an environment where everyone feels welcome.
- We have a collaborative culture where diversity of thought is v