About the role
Position Summary
The Transactional Commercial Surety Underwriter is responsible for underwriting, pricing, and managing a portfolio of transactional surety business across a broad range of bond types nationwide. This role partners closely with agents and brokers to drive new business growth, maintain profitability, and deliver exceptional service standards in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
Key Responsibilities
Underwriting & Risk Assessment
Evaluate and underwrite transactional commercial surety submissions, including but not limited to motor vehicle dealer (MVD), license & permit, subdivision, court, contract-related transactional, mortgage broker, and specialty bonds.
Analyze financial statements, credit reports, and supporting documentation to assess risk and determine appropriate terms, conditions, and pricing.
Apply underwriting authority to approve, decline, or modify submissions in alignment with company guidelines and risk appetite.
Ensure compliance with internal underwriting standards, regulatory requirements, and state-specific bond obligations.
Production & Portfolio Management
Manage a high volume of transactional submissions while maintaining strong turnaround times and service levels.
Monitor and manage a book of business to ensure profitability, retention, and appropriate risk diversification.
Identify opportunities for cross-selling and account expansion within existing agency relationships.
Agent/Broker Relationship Management
Build and maintain strong relationships with agency partners to drive submission flow and grow market share.
Communicate underwriting decisions effectively, including providing clear rationale and alternative solutions when appropriate.
Negotiate terms, pricing, and commission structures to remain competitive while maintaining underwriting discipline.
Act as a market-facing representative to support agency growth and retention initiatives.
Business Development
Support new business development efforts by identifying target agencies and producers within the transactional surety space.
Participate in agency visits, industry events, and networking opportunities to strengthen relationships and increase brand presence.
Collaborate with leadership to execute strategic growth initiatives within the transactional surety segment.
Operational Excellence
Maintain accurate documentation and records within underwriting systems.
Ensure timely issuance of bonds, endorsements, renewals, and cancellations.
Partner with internal teams (claims, legal, compliance, operations) as needed to support business objectives.
Qualifications & Experience
2+ years of experience in commercial surety underwriting, with a focus on transactional business required
Established relationships within the surety agency/broker community required
Proven experience underwriting a broad range of bond types (e.g., MVD, subdivision, license & permit, court, contractor-related transactional, specialty bonds)
Strong understanding of credit analysis, risk assessment, and financial statement review
Demonstrated ability to manage high submission volume while maintaining underwriting discipline
Experience negotiating terms, pricing, and commissions in a competitive marketplace
Knowledge of state-specific bonding requirements and regulatory environment preferred
Skills & Competencies
Strong analytical and decision-making skills
Excellent communication and negotiation abilities
Relationship-driven, with a strong customer-service orientation
Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment
High attention to detail and organizational skills
Results-oriented mindset with a focus on growth and profitability
Compensation & Benefits
The applicable base salary for this opportunity is $100,000 - $125,000. The base pay offered will be determined by factors such as experience, skills, training, location, certifications, education, and any applicable minimum wage requirements. In addition to the base salary, this opportunity may be eligible for performance-based incentives. We are excited to offer a competitive total rewards package which includes health and welfare benefits, tuition and professional certification assistance, 401k savings, elective participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Program, paid time off, paid holidays, and child bonding leave, as well as other employee assistance.
Originally posted on Himalayas