Surety Territory Manager

UFG is looking for a Surety Territory Manager to join our team who will be responsible for actively building and maintaining a profitable mix of new and existing surety business by developing and maintaining strong working relationships with the agency force. Use relationship-building skills to expand agency plant and help other underwriters produce and underwrite a profitable book of surety business. Through strong analytical skills, the Surety Territory Manager will evaluate new opportunities for acceptability within company risk parameters. Independently underwrite complex submissions. Make regular agency visits and calls to assess growth and profitability of agents in their territory. Prospect and appoint new quality agents. Visit current and potential contractor's place of business to better assess their operations. May help other underwriters produce a profitable mix of new and existing business. Assist upper management in the development of underwriters. Review of accounts and bid requests that exceed individual underwriter's authority levels. This role acts as a strong advocate for all surety products, including non-contract surety. Proven track record of growth in agency plant, new accounts acquired and growth in premiums from new business. Set and accomplish KPI's while assisting leaders in territory planning and management.

Responsibilities:

• Market surety products and travel with team members:
  • Travel to agencies to train and persuade them to use UFG as their surety company of choice.
  • Develop relationships with agency personnel and contractors bonded through them.
  • Attend meetings and seminars.
  • Work with others as they assist with territory development.
• Annual review of financial information:
  • Review financial statements on accounts for renewal of letter of authority and other bonding obligations.
  • Prepare reports as needed and document file activity.
• Underwrite new submissions: Handle large and complex accounts, gathering information regarding financial status, credit standing and organization profile to analyze and determine acceptability of risk.
• Update and keep files clean: Request information from agents and contractors regarding the risks being accepted.
• Review accounts for over underwriting authority: As needed review of accounts and bid requests that exceed individual underwriter's authority levels.
• Communicate with agents:
  • Discuss new and renewal business and status of accounts.
  • Develop new business opportunities to drive profitable premium growth.
  • Focus on developing and expanding assigned territory.
• Provide direction and assistance:
  • Discuss new applications and submissions with other UW's in the team.
  • Develop and train less experienced UW's, making sure their actions are in the best interest of UFG.
  • Assist with department planning and goal setting.
• Work with department leadership on creating budgets, forecasts and other KPI's for the territory.
• Audit Files: May be asked to cross audit files handled by others.
• Service: Ensure UFG Surety unit offers service that is amongst the top in our industry.
• Exhibits ability to generate new submission activity that results in significant growth in accepted new accounts.
• Success in expanding presence in assigned territory with new surety agency appointments that result in meaningful new submissions and accepted accounts.
• Special Projects: Projects related to automation, and other interests of the department or company.
• Industry Information: Stay abreast of industry information regarding competition, pertinent laws and legal occurrences, underwrite rates, trends, etc., and pass this information on to the department.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Degree concentration in Business Administration, Economics, Finance or Accounting is preferred.
• Achieved, or working towards, MBA preferred.

Certifications/Designations:

• Employees are expected to participate in continuing education throughout their careers.
• Certified or working towards AFSB, CPCU or similar is preferred.

Experience:

• 10+ years of underwriting experience
• Experience in insurance, surety, finance or accounting is preferred.

Working Conditions:

• General Office Environment or remote home office conditions.
• Up to 25% travel, including overnight stays.
  • Travel requirements include visits to agents, principals and others at project sites which may result in exposure to adverse weather conditions and/or results and debris of adverse weather conditions."
• Regular work duties may require up to 20% work outside of regular business hours.