Commercial Surety Underwriter

Recognized as aMilwaukee Journal SentinelTop Workplace for 14 consecutive years, including three years of being honored as number one! Join us at West Bend, where we believe that our associates are our greatest asset. We hire talented individuals who are conscientious, dedicated, customer focused, and able to build lasting relationships. We create and maintain an environment where you feel a sense of belonging and appreciation. Your diversity of thought, experience, and knowledge are valued. We're committed to fostering a welcoming culture, offering you opportunities for meaningful work and professional growth. More than a workplace, we celebrate our successes and take pride in serving our communities.

Whether you're early in your commercial surety career or bring years of underwriting experience, this is an opportunity to grow, make an impact, and build meaningful relationships in a collaborative underwriting environment. You'll work alongside a knowledgeable team, gain exposure to a broad range of accounts, and contribute directly to profitable growth, while continuing to develop your expertise and authority over time.

This position offers both remote and hybrid work locations. Candidates who reside within 50 miles of our Madison, WI office will work a hybrid schedule (at least 3 days/week). Candidates who are fully remote (must currently reside in either Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, or Ohio) may occasionally be asked to travel to an office location for in-person engagement activities such as team meetings, training and corporate events.

The internal deadline to apply is 3/30/2026. External applications will be accepted on a rolling basis while the position remains open.

What You'll Do

Evaluate and underwrite new and renewal commercial surety accounts within an assigned territory using financial analysis and underwriting tools.
• Underwrite business to support profitable growth in alignment with enterprise goals and objectives.
• Operate within established underwriting authority, referring more complex or higher risk accounts as appropriate.
• Analyze financial statements, credit information, and other underwriting data to determine the eligibility of applicants for surety bonds.
• Support underwriting file maintenance, business processing, and service goals for producer partners.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with agents, brokers, and principals to retain existing business and identify new opportunities.
• Provide prompt, professional service and communicate effectively with internal partners and external stakeholders.
• Participate in agency visits, prospecting activities, and industry or agency related functions as needed.
• Collaborate with and support team members, contributing to a high performance, knowledge sharing environment.
• Promote and comply with the values of the Surety division and the company.

What You Bring

• Experience in commercial surety underwriting or a related insurance or financial discipline, with the ability to grow underwriting knowledge and authority over time.
• Strong analytical and financial analysis skills, with attention to detail and sound judgment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective communication skills across written, verbal, and in person interactions.
• A relationship focused mindset with the ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Proficiency with data entry, underwriting systems, and standard business technology tools (Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, Copilot).

Education

• Bachelor's degree in business, insurance, finance, or a related field, or equivalent surety underwriting experience.

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The salary range for this position is $63,000 - $108,000.

The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, geographical location, and internal equity. Compensation decisions are made by West Bend and are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

West Bend offers a comprehensive benefit plan including but not limited to:

• Medical & Prescription Insurance

• Health Savings Account

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Short and Long Term Disability

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Life and Accidental Death & Disability

• Accident and Critical Illness Insurance

• Employee Assistance Program

• 401(k) Plan with Company Match

• Pet Insurance

• Paid Time Off. Standard first year PTO is 17 days, pro-rated based on month of hire. Enhanced PTO may be available for experienced candidates

• Bonus eligible based on performance

• West Bend will comply with any applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act for Colorado employees, in accordance with its plans and policies.

West Bend provides equal employment opportunities to all associates 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. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, and promotion.