Surety Home Office Underwriting Officer

Liberty Mutual is hiring a Surety Home Office Underwriting Officer to review new and existing small to mid contract risks submitted by assigned field offices. The role confirms compliance with the company's underwriting strategies, guidelines and marketing objectives, and it is built for someone with deep surety underwriting experience who can work independently and coordinate with field and home office staff.

The position is based in the United States. If the selected candidate lives within 50 miles of a GRS office, they should be prepared to come into the office two days per week, and that policy is subject to change. Ideally, the selected candidate can work a standard Pacific Time Zone schedule.

What you will do

• Underwrite new and existing contract account submissions of a wide range in size and complexity using underwriting authority granted by the Chief Underwriting Officer.
• Evaluate and assess a contractor's financial, technical, organizational and management capacities, plus subjective judgment of character, normally based on data and insights from the field organization. In some cases, meet with the client to support those assessments.
• Monitor the existing contract book of business from an underwriting standpoint using analytical tools.
• Continuously evaluate the qualitative characteristics of new and existing business in each assigned field office.
• Assess and identify changes across the business, including work program to financial strength criteria, nature of work performed and its inherent risk, accuracy and timeliness of data flow, and exposure analyses.
• Coordinate and surface issues to more senior Home Office staff and Bond Managers in field offices on a regular and timely basis.
• Manage the audit function associated with the Surety Plus contract book of business using analytical tools.
• Make recommendations to senior Home Office staff on business above authority level or outside standard underwriting guidelines.

What they are looking for

• A degree in Business or equivalent is typically required.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience with progressive surety underwriting responsibility.
• Prior field experience, including management experience, with an emphasis on underwriting large or complex obligations and programs, is desired.
• Demonstrated ability to manage underwriting oversight, preferably across multiple offices.
• In-depth knowledge of the surety industry, products and operations, including the ability to analyze highly complex obligations and programs.
• High-level knowledge of surety lines of business, with the ability to identify risk and take reasonable effort to mitigate negative consequences.
• Expert-level analytical abilities and decision-making skills to evaluate and judge underwriting risks within scope of responsibility.
• Understanding of reinsurance, macro-economic issues and geo-political risk.
• A results-oriented track record of taking individual initiative, exercising solid business judgment and strategic thinking.
• Exceptional negotiating skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong executive presence with internal and external senior-level executives.
• A proven coach and mentor with active participation in developing field or home office talent.

About the company

Liberty Mutual Surety is a business unit of Liberty Mutual Insurance and describes itself as the world's largest globally, including in the United States. It conducts business worldwide through fronting relationships and Liberty-owned subsidiaries, providing bonds in over 60 countries for construction firms, manufacturers and suppliers, and commercial enterprises on an account and transactional basis. The company says it is committed to building mutually profitable relationships through smart business solutions, ease of doing business, and consistent, responsive service, and that it values a diverse workforce in more than 18 countries.

Pay and benefits

The typical starting salary range is determined by factors including skills, experience, education, certifications and location. The full salary range reflects the competitive labor market value for all employees in these positions across the national market and provides an opportunity to progress as employees grow and develop. Some roles at Liberty Mutual have a corresponding compensation plan that may include commission and/or bonus earnings at rates that vary based on multiple factors set forth in the compensation plan for the role.

Liberty Mutual states that it aims to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported and can thrive, with inclusion embedded in its culture. It points to benefits, workplace flexibility, professional development opportunities and Employee Resource Groups. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, veteran's status, pregnancy, genetic information or any basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Fair Chance Notices are available for California, Los Angeles Incorporated, Los Angeles Unincorporated, Philadelphia and San Francisco.