Underwriting Specialist, Core Surety

Underwriting Specialist, Core Contract Surety

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Zurich Canada is looking for a Senior Surety Specialist to enhance and fully apply underwriting, marketing, and financial & credit analysis skills as part of our dynamic Toronto Contract Surety team.

Reporting directly to the National Director, Core Contract Surety, 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 for moderately to highly technical accounts, while ensuring high‑level service to customers.

As the Surety Business Unit grows, you’ll develop underwriting and portfolio optimization skills and contribute to Zurich Canada’s overall results. This role offers a flexible, dynamic, and challenging environment for motivated professionals who want to advance their careers in surety underwriting.

Hybrid work opportunity.

• Produce and underwrite new and existing contract surety business.
• Serve as key contact and underwrite an assigned portfolio of accounts with modest autonomy.
• Conduct thorough assessments of customers’ financial, technical, and organizational capacity within Zurich’s appetite, balanced with sound business opportunity, per department policies and procedures.
• Provide detailed recommendations of bond and account support utilizing your financial and credit analysis skills.
• Proactively seek new account opportunities by managing existing relationships and developing new ones with key brokers.
• Make broker/customer and on‑site calls with a planned purpose.
• Negotiate account and/or bond specific terms & conditions.
• Participate in team meetings, providing updates related to your portfolio, brokers, territory, and market intelligence.
• Engage in the target account process, developing and managing a qualified list of opportunities.
• Support internal marketing and production for cross‑sell efforts.
• Assist in the development of underwriting manuals, programs, and guidelines.
• Attend industry, broker, and customer events and functions.
• Model behaviors that demonstrate commitment to corporate values.
• Support and guide team members.
• Drive your own personal development.
• Engage in business travel as required.
• Work extended hours during peak periods as required.
• Maintain a valid driver’s licence and regular attendance.

• 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.
• Understanding of broker relationship structure.
• 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 communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Strong broker relationships.
• Effective in relationship building, active listening, needs analysis, multi‑tasking, and negotiation.
• High level of customer service.
• Excellent listening, verbal, written communication, and interpersonal skills.

• Minimum of five years of relevant surety experience.

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

• We are proud of our culture and champion Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging (DIEB). Bring your whole self to work and help reflect our communities.
• We value diverse thought and provide tools for impact.
• We offer comprehensive health and benefits plans and competitive compensation.
• Employees receive a minimum of four weeks vacation and four personal days per year.
• We provide continuous training and development opportunities.
• We give back to communities through time,…