Surety Underwriting Specialist

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. 

Zurich Canada is currently looking for a Surety Underwriting Specialist to enhance and fully apply their underwriting, marketing, and financial & credit analysis skills, and contribute to our ongoing success as a member of our dynamic Toronto Contract Surety team.

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 posting is for an existing vacancy.  

Zurich Canada uses artificial intelligence–enabled tools to support certain aspects of the recruitment process, including the initial review and screening of applications. Artificial intelligence is not the sole basis for candidate shortlisting or selection. All hiring decisions are reviewed and made by qualified hiring professionals. 

Zurich follows a hybrid work model requiring three days per week of in-person presence, which may include time in the office or market-facing engagements.

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 to high 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.
• 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 listening, verbal, written communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and/or collaboratively in a team environment. 
• Effective in relationship building, active listening, needs analysis, multi-tasking, and negotiation.
• High level of customer service.

AND

• Minimum of five years of relevant surety experience.

Preferred:

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

At Zurich Canada, we are committed to pay equity. We determine compensation based on objective criteria such as skills, experience, and internal equity. The salary range for this position is $125,000 – 150,000. This range reflects the expected pay for the role across Canada and may vary depending on factors like office location, specific responsibilities, and individual qualifications. As required by local law, Zurich provides in good faith a reasonable compensation range, but starting salaries may exceed this range based on a candidate’s skills and experience.

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 valued. We value your input and strive to give our employees the tools they need to make an impact. 
• We care about our employees’ well-being and offer a comprehensive health/benefits plan with varying levels of coverage to suit your specific needs and a competitive total compensation package.
• We understand how important it is to rest, recharge and do the things you love. At Zurich, all employees receive a minimum of four weeks of vacation per year to do just that.
• We also understand that employees require time off for personal reasons. Maybe you have an appointment during a workday, a cultural or religious holiday you would like to observe, or you need time off to focus on your mental health. Zurich employees receive four personal days per year to be used at their discretion. 
• We are committed to continuous improvement and offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities. 
• We care about our communities. Our communities are where our customers, people, and shareholders live and work. While we can be proud of the contribution to society Zurich makes through our core business of insurance, we must also give back to our communities through our talent, time and resources.
• We have won numerous awards for our workplace culture. We are proud to be one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers and to have received Insurance Business Canada’s 5-Star Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award.   

Make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported. Love what you do. Work for us. 

About Us

Zurich Canada is part of the Zurich Insurance Group, a multi-line insurer with approximately 55,000 employees worldwide serving customers in global and local markets. Zurich Canada has been a leading insurance provider serving mid-sized and large companies, including multinational corporations, in the Canadian commercial market for 100 years. With over 500 employees in offices across the country, Zurich offers the global strength of a top insurance provider combined with in-depth knowledge of industries and local markets. Zurich Canada aspires to be risk management professionals’ first choice as their premier partner to help meet the risk challenges of today and tomorrow. Read more at www.zurichcanada.com.