Full-Time

Contract Surety Manager

Deadline 6/10/27
W.R. Berkley

W.R. Berkley

Commercial insurance underwriting, reinsurance, and investments

Compensation Overview

$110k - $150k/yr

+ Annual discretionary bonus + Profit-sharing plan

No H1B Sponsorship

Chicago, IL, USA

In Person

Regular travel to develop producer and account relationships is required.

Bachelor's

Category
Finance & Banking (1)
Required Skills
Financial analysis

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Requirements
  • A minimum four-year degree or related industry experience is required.
  • At least 10 years of surety industry or related experience is required.
  • The candidate must be able to read, analyze, discuss, and interpret financial statements, bond forms, contract documents, and government regulations and reach appropriate risk assessment conclusions.
  • The candidate must have effective oral and written communication skills and be able to write clear and effective reports and business correspondence.
  • The candidate must be able to provide well-developed recommendations for new and existing accounts and client bond needs.
  • The candidate must have strong analytical and decision-making skills and be able to solve practical problems involving varied concrete situations with limited standardization.
  • The candidate must be able to interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, and schedule-based instructions.
  • The candidate must be able to organize and effectively handle medium to complex volumes of information.
  • The candidate must be able to work independently and in a team environment.
  • The candidate must demonstrate self-motivation and a strong customer focus.
Responsibilities
  • Manage, produce, and underwrite new and renewal business from assigned agents and brokers in the primary line of business.
  • Achieve budgeted financial results through new business acquisition, business retention, effective price management, and execution of personal and branch objectives.
  • Participate in planning and expense management processes.
  • Collaborate with Line of Business colleagues and other internal and external business associates.
  • Develop and manage agency relationships within an assigned book of business through outside and inside business development.
  • Independently underwrite, assess, and manage an assigned portfolio of accounts and underwrite both performance and non-performance bonds.
  • Execute personal and branch objectives and strategies to produce budgeted results.
  • Develop and leverage agency and client relationships through visibility with agents, brokers, and clients.
  • Plan and execute regular travel to develop and enhance producer and account relationships.
  • Visit new and existing accounts, prepare and share meeting agendas, obtain follow-up documentation, evaluate accounts, and submit detailed submission memoranda for credit approval.
  • Communicate company mission and objectives in account meetings and maintain effective communications and workflow with agency representatives.
  • Communicate acceptance or rejection of new and existing accounts while developing the company brand.
  • Maintain accurate underwriting documentation and account information in management systems and keep account files current.
  • Participate in the premium budget and expense process for the profit center.
  • Keep management informed of issues important to the branch and company.
  • Assist with or directly manage the development, mentoring, coaching, or supervision of underwriting staff as appropriate.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
Desired Qualifications
  • Business, Finance, or Accounting major preferred but not required.
  • Banking or credit analysis background is a plus.

W. R. Berkley provides commercial property and casualty insurance and reinsurance worldwide. It underwrites through two segments: Insurance with 53 operating units offering lines like excess and surplus, commercial auto, and workers’ compensation; and Reinsurance & Monoline Excess which writes reinsurance and excess policies for other insurers and self-insured entities. Revenue comes from premiums on insurance and reinsurance contracts and from investment income, supporting risk transfer and market capacity. The goal is to deliver steady underwriting results and financial returns for shareholders by serving a broad client base across many industries.

Company Size

N/A

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Greenwich, Connecticut

Founded

1967

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Second quarter 2026 gross written premiums hit $4.1 billion, a company record.
  • Q2 2026 combined ratio improved to 90%, beating estimates and signaling pricing discipline.
  • Leadership promotions for Coyne, Parker, and Moede deepen succession inside core profit centers.

What critics are saying

  • Q2 2026 revenue missed estimates despite record premiums, exposing slowing growth quality.
  • Berkley's Trisura lawsuit ties defense costs to disputed written contract wording.
  • Founder William R. Berkley's 2026 death removes the cultural anchor behind underwriting discipline.

What makes W.R. Berkley unique

  • Berkley Meridian unites Verus and Vela, strengthening E&S specialty distribution on wholesalers.
  • Berkley Re America, Re UK, and Re Asia give global reinsurance reach.
  • AM Best upgraded WR Berkley to a in 2026 for underwriting and capital strength.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Wellness Program

Paid Time Off

401(k) Retirement Plan

Profit Sharing

Annual Bonus Potential

Company News

Business Wire
Aug 18th, 2026
W. R. Berkley forms Berkley Meridian through merger of Verus and Vela Insurance

W. R. Berkley Corporation has formed Berkley Meridian, a new specialty insurance business combining Verus Specialty Insurance and Vela Insurance Services. Marlo M. Morrison will serve as president of the new entity. The business will unite underwriting capabilities and expertise across construction, professional liability, garage, casualty, and other specialty lines, focusing on the excess and surplus wholesale broker market. Integration has begun and is expected to continue into early 2027. Morrison joined Verus Specialty Insurance as president in 2019, bringing nearly 30 years of property and casualty insurance experience. W. Robert Berkley, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of W. R. Berkley Corporation, said the combination will allow the company to leverage expertise and provide a broader suite of solutions. Founded in 1967, W. R. Berkley Corporation is among the largest commercial lines writers in the United States.

Reinsurance News
Jul 28th, 2026
Robert R. Coyne, Jr. to succeed Daniel R. Westcott as President of Berkley Re America.

Robert R. Coyne, Jr. to succeed Daniel R. Westcott as President of Berkley Re America. 28th July 2026 - Author: Saumya Jain - Insurance holding company W. R. Berkley Corporation has appointed Daniel R. Westcott as Executive Vice President (EVP), as Robert R. Coyne Jr. succeeds him as President of Berkley Re America, while Robert C. Hewitt has been named Chairman of Berkley Re. All appointments are effective immediately. Berkley Re is a global reinsurer comprising Berkley Re America, Berkley Re UK, Berkley Re Solutions, Berkley Re Australia, and Berkley Re Asia. Westcott joined Berkley Re America as president in 2019, and has nearly three decades of experience in the property casualty reinsurance market. Coyne joined Berkley in 2006 and became Senior Vice President of Berkley Re America in 2010. He also has over three decades of experience in the property casualty reinsurance business. Hewitt joined Berkley in 2002 as Senior Vice President for risk management and was named EVP of the firm in 2016. W. Robert Berkley, Jr., Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of W. R. Berkley Corporation, commented on the appointments, "Rob, Dan, and Rob have all provided outstanding leadership within Berkley for many years. Dan's skills and broad experience in the reinsurance market, as well as his extensive knowledge of its organisation, will serve Reinsurance Group well as he takes on oversight of its assumed reinsurance businesses. "With deep expertise in developing reinsurance solutions for customers, Rob Coyne is very well-positioned to lead Berkley Re America forward to build upon its success. Rob Hewitt has made extraordinary contributions to Berkley during his tenure, and we are deeply appreciative of his leadership, judgment, and unwavering commitment to the Company." He continued, "He has been a trusted colleague and valued leader, and we are especially pleased, both personally and professionally, that we will continue to benefit from his extensive experience and expertise." Last week, for its second quarter 2026 results, W. R. Berkley reported a new record for gross written premiums (GWP) of $4.1 billion.

Business Wire
Jul 28th, 2026
Christopher Moede named president of Berkley Risk as Jack Goodwin moves to chairman

W. R. Berkley Corporation has appointed Christopher L. Moede as president of Berkley Risk, effective immediately. He succeeds John Goodwin, who has been named chairman of the business. Moede brings over 20 years of leadership experience in the commercial insurance market. Most recently, he led a global underwriting segment at a major multinational insurer. Goodwin joined Berkley Risk in 2012, serving as executive vice president before becoming president in 2014. W. Robert Berkley, Jr., chief executive officer of W. R. Berkley Corporation, welcomed Moede's leadership skills and experience in developing risk solutions. He thanked Goodwin for his exceptional service and contributions. Berkley Risk provides at-risk and alternative risk insurance programme management services for public entity pools, professional associations, and self-insured clients.

Yahoo Finance
Jul 20th, 2026
W. R. Berkley misses Q2 revenue estimates but beats profit forecasts by 17.3%

W. R. Berkley, a property casualty insurer, missed revenue expectations in Q2 CY2026, with sales rising just 1.2% year-on-year to $3.72 billion, falling short of the $3.77 billion analyst estimate. The company's net premiums earned reached $3.19 billion, roughly in line with expectations. However, W. R. Berkley exceeded profit forecasts, reporting non-GAAP earnings of $1.27 per share, beating analyst consensus by 17.3%. The combined ratio of 90% also outperformed estimates of 91.4%. Founded in 1967, W. R. Berkley operates through over 50 specialised insurance units globally. The company has demonstrated strong long-term performance, with 11.1% annualised revenue growth over the past five years, though recent growth has moderated to 7.8% over the last two years.

Business Wire
Jul 13th, 2026
W. R. Berkley appoints Paul J. Stock as president of Carolina Casualty insurance division

W. R. Berkley Corporation has appointed Paul J. Stock as president of Carolina Casualty, effective immediately. Stock brings over 20 years of property and casualty insurance experience, particularly in the transportation sector spanning claims, underwriting, risk management and telematics. He joined Carolina Casualty in early 2025 as divisional president, where he led transformation efforts across claims and risk management departments. W. Robert Berkley, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of W. R. Berkley Corporation, praised Stock's extensive leadership experience and expertise. Carolina Casualty provides primary commercial insurance products and services to the transportation industry nationwide. W. R. Berkley Corporation, founded in 1967, is amongst the largest commercial lines writers in the United States.