Director of Underwriting - Surety - Western Region

Description: Who are we? Western National Insurance Group is a private mutual insurance company with over 120 years of experience serving policyholders' property-and-casualty insurance needs in the Midwestern, Northwestern, and Southwestern United States. Known as “The Relationship Company®,” we have always defined success as a measure of the relationships we’ve built over time. In everything that we do, we know that delivering a friendly and helpful interaction makes for a better experience for everyone involved. That’s the power of “nice”. At Western National, nice is something we work to bring to every person and organization with whom we partner and serve. Does this opportunity interest you? Western National is seeking a Director – Underwriting, Surety to join our team! This person will cover our Western Region. The individual in this role will manage the commercial and contract surety underwriting function through staff and agency development to produce profitable growth and contribute to the execution of agency management strategies, including the execution of relationship management plans. What are the responsibilities and opportunities of this role? • Develops and implements underwriting strategies to achieve a balanced, profitable, quality book of surety business. • Selects, coaches, develops, and retains staff to achieve company, departmental, and individual goals. • Serves as a referral underwriter for underwriting staff and provides feedback and technical guidance to underwriters as needed. • May serve as a technical expert for surety-related systems and processes, working with our IT department and other partners on system and process improvements. • Establishes, delegates, and maintains underwriting authorities for underwriting staff. • Builds and maintains strong agency relationships and effectively manages underwriting and marketing staff to achieve established growth and profitability goals. • Frequent travel, by car and plane (up to 50%) for extended periods of time, with occasional overnight and weekend travel. • Travels to assigned and prospect agencies regularly to build on agency partnerships. • Travels to key accounts with assigned underwriter as needed to strengthen customer and underwriting relationships. • Travels to meet with remote underwriters and managers at least on a quarterly basis to help further develop territory and staffing. • Develops strategies to seize and develop new market opportunities and expand agency relationships throughout Western National’s licensed states. • Networks within the insurance / surety community and attends industry events to stay abreast of marketplace changes and emerging industry issues. • Develops, reviews, analyzes, and prepares periodic reports on assigned regional operations and takes appropriate underwriting and rate actions. • Participates in initiatives to develop and improve processes and policies. • Interprets and executes policies and guidelines within authority level. • Establishes account credit lines and individual bonds within assigned authority level. • Utilizes specialized knowledge, experience, and creative resources to find a wide range of solutions and articulates them to others. • Understands and effectively communicates relationships between problem components. • Perform special projects and other duties as assigned. • Consistently acts according to our customer experience standards, including responding quickly, maintaining a positive attitude, building rapport, demonstrating empathy, managing the customer’s expectations, using the proper communication channel for the situation, and taking ownership to ensure the customer’s issue is resolved.Requirements: What are the must-have qualifications for a candidate? • High degree of knowledge in surety, with extensive knowledge and understanding of contract and commercial surety underwriting, financial and risk management analytical skills, and effective surety marketing skills. • Ability to travel up to 50% of the time. • Ability to multitask and solve complex problems. • Demonstrated ability to coach, direct, and develop individuals. • Proven ability to communicate with individuals at all levels of an organization. • Excellent negotiation and resolution skills, with a strong ability to build and maintain relationships. • Demonstrated advanced organization and prioritization skills and ability to accomplish multiple priorities. • Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing. • Strong entrepreneurial skills and strong initiative. • Proficient use of various core systems, office and computer equipment, and software packages. • Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related business field, or equivalent related experience. What will our ideal candidate have? • Associate in Fidelity and Surety Bonding (AFSB) Designation strongly preferred. • Ten-plus years of surety underwriting experience. • Three-plus years of experience managing others. Compensation overview The targeted hiring range for this role is $138,000 - $197,000, annually. However, the base pay offered may vary depending on the job-related knowledge, skills, credentials, and experience of each candidate, as well as other factors such as the scope and location of the role. Candidates looking for compensation outside of the posted range are encouraged to apply and will be considered based on their individual qualifications and / or may be considered for other positions. Western National Insurance Group reserves the right to fill this position at a level above or below the level included in this posting. Culture and Total Rewards Western National has long been known as “The Relationship Company®”, and caring for our employees is part of that relationship commitment. We value connectiveness, empowerment, and accountability, and we believe that our employees are our biggest asset. Currently ranked as the 41st largest private company by revenue in Minnesota (Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal), Western National has earned accolades year-over-year as an employer of choice and garnered multiple awards for wellness in the workplace. Western National has also been named a Top Workplace by the Star Tribune for the past five consecutive years. In addition, the Group is consistently recognized as a Ward’s 50 property-and-casualty insurance company for its outstanding financial results. Western National offers full-time employees a significant Total Rewards Package, including: • Medical insurance plan options and other standard employee benefits, including dental insurance, vision benefits, life insurance, disability insurance, and more! • Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) • 401(k) Plan (participants are eligible for 100% matching on the first 6% of their contributions) • Wellbeing Program, including onsite fitness studio • Paid Time Off – including holiday, vacation, and volunteer • 100% company-paid tuition reimbursement for approved job-relevant coursework and access to The Institutes (Risk and insurance education) • Paid parental leave • Bonus opportunities Western National believes in supporting balance between work and life by providing a flexible work environment, which includes a variety of hybrid and remote work arrangements designed to balance individual, job, department, and company needs. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. Western National provides employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. #LI-DA1 #IND123