VP, Surety Home Office Underwriting Director

Crum & Forster Company Overview

Crum & Forster (C&F), with a proud history dating to 1822, provides specialty and standard commercial lines insurance products through our admitted and surplus lines insurance companies. C&F enjoys a financial strength rating of "A+"(Superior) by AM Best and is proud of our superior customer service platform. Our claims and risk engineering services are recognized as among the best in the industry.

Our most valuable asset is our people: more than 2000 employees in locations throughout the United States. The company is increasingly winning recognition as a great place to work, earning several workplace and wellness awards, including the 2024 Great Place to Work®Award
for our employee-first focus and our steadfast commitment to diversity, equity and Inclusion.

C&F is part of Fairfax Financial Holdings, a global, billion dollar organization. For more information about Crum & Forster, please visit our website:

The Contract Surety Home Office Underwriting Director will be responsible for thoughtful decision-making and furthering underwriting standards, processes, and procedures as a leader in the Contract Surety home office. The Contract Surety Home Office Underwriting Director will report directly to the Surety COO.

Contract Surety Home Office Underwriting Director will:

• Ensure consistency of underwriting standards across the regional offices and home office underwriting team.
• Monitor accounts for proper rate and capacity compliance. Take corrective or proactive measures as necessary
• Within their authority, make educated underwriting decisions based on recommendations provided by the Contract Surety home office team. Proactively engage Surety leadership on underwriting situations outside of individual authority level.
• Act as a resource and knowledge center for regional and home office underwriters. Disseminate updates on key industry and underwriting issues regularly through multiple channels including written updates, meetings, and video calls. Archive information for future use.
• Act as a primary resource on complex risk accounts, including publicly traded, international, and co‑surety scenarios.
• Build, document, maintain, and oversee the necessary underwriting standards and procedures to maintain a loss‑free underwriting portfolio. Make recommendations and take ownership of future investments.
• Regularly review the Contract Surety portfolio for changes in credit ratings and out of date underwriting data. Ensure that appropriate action plans are enacted.
• In coordination with Surety leadership, provide any requested underwriting information to C&F leadership and surety reinsurers.
• Responsible for direct management and development of the home office Contract Surety underwriting team (4-6 direct reports).

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent plus a minimum of 15 years of contract surety experience—prior management/leadership experience required
• Construction‑related legal or accounting expertise preferred
• Proven ability to decisively manage complex underwriting decisions
• Strong financial analysis and communication skills
• Ability to lead and manage others and build relationships/consensus with internal and external stakeholders
• Travel required as needed (10% +) and must possess a valid driver's license

At C&F you will BELONG

We value inclusivity and diversity. We are committed to equal employment opportunity and welcome everyone regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. If you require special accommodation, please let us know.

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Crum & Forster is committed to ensuring a workplace free from discriminatory pay disparities and complying with applicable pay equity laws. Salary ranges are available for all positions at this location, taking into account roles with a comparable level of responsibility…