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Underwriting Careers at Industry Leaders

Discover your next underwriting adventure with friends of Kalepa and leaders in commercial insurance

AVP, Contract Surety Underwriting Officer

Zurich Insurance

Zurich Insurance

Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ, USA
Posted on Jul 31, 2024

What can go right when you can grow your career?

Now is the time to move forward and make a difference. At Zurich, we want you to share your unique perspectives, experiences and ideas so we can grow and drive sustainable change together. As part of a leading global organization, we have over 150 years of experience, serve more than 25 industries, and insure 90% of the Fortune 500®. Zurich strives to provide ongoing career development opportunities so you can reach your full potential and foster an environment where voices are diverse, behaviors are inclusive, actions drive equity, and our people feel a sense of belonging. With the support of people like you, we are optimistic about leading the next evolution of the insurance industry. Join us in building a brighter future for our people, our customers and the communities we serve.

Do you know someone who would be a great candidate for this opening? Zurich North America has two separate and distinct talent referral programs in the US. Please scroll to the bottom of this posting to learn more and access the links to submit your talent referral.

Zurich North America is currently looking for a Contract Surety Underwriter to work out of our Parsippany, NJ office. This is a highly technical and market facing position and requires experience with Surety lines of business. This position will require approximately 20% travel.

This role will be filled at either the Account Executive or AVP, Underwriting Officer level. The hiring manager will determine the appropriate level based upon the selected applicant’s experience and skill set relative to the qualifications listed for this position.

This role is responsible for the following:

  • Production and underwriting of new and renewal Surety business
  • Managing of a large book of prominent accounts
  • Internal marketing and production within Zurich North America in support of our cross-sell efforts
  • Execution of the external marketing strategy
  • Adherence to underwriting rules and guidelines, insurance laws, regulations, and the Zurich Way of underwriting
  • Establish new as well as develop existing agency and broker relationships
  • Working within limits and authorities on assignments of varying degrees of complexity

Account Executive (Level II) Basic Qualifications:

  • High School Diploma or Equivalent and 3 or more years of experience in the Underwriting, Banking, or Market Facing area.
    OR
  • High School Diploma or Equivalent and 6 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area
    OR
  • Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an associate degree and 1 or more years of experience in the Underwriting, or Market Facing area.
    OR
  • Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an associate degree and 4 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area.
    AND
  • Knowledge of line/s of business and the legal and regulatory guidelines
  • Knowledge of time restraints for quotes on new and renewal business
  • Experience with Microsoft Office

OR

Underwriting Officer-AVP (Level III) Basic Qualifications:

  • High School Diploma or Equivalent and 5 or more years of experience in the Underwriting, or Market Facing area.
    OR
  • High School Diploma or equivalent and 10 or more years of experience in the claims or underwriting support area
    OR
  • Zurich approved Apprenticeship program including an associate degree and 3 or more years of experience in the Underwriting, or Market Facing area.
    OR
  • Zurich approved Apprenticeship program including an associate degree and 8 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area.
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office
  • Experience working on time restraints for quotes on new and renewal business.
  • Experience working in a team environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • Established broker relationships.
  • Sales execution mindset
  • Creative problem-solving skills
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills


As a condition of employment at Zurich, employees must adhere to any COVID-related health and safety protocols in place at that time (https://www.zurichna.com/careers/faq).

A future with Zurich. What can go right when you apply at Zurich?

Now is the time to move forward and make a difference. At Zurich, we want you to share your unique perspectives, experiences and ideas so we can grow and drive sustainable change together. As part of a leading global organization, Zurich North America has over 150 years of experience managing risk and supporting resilience. Today, Zurich North America is a leading provider of commercial property-casualty insurance solutions and a wide range of risk management products and services for businesses and individuals. We serve more than 25 industries, from agriculture to technology, and we insure 90% of the Fortune 500®. Our growth strategy is not limited to our business. As an employer, we strive to provide ongoing career development opportunities, and we foster an environment where voices are diverse, behaviors are inclusive, actions drive equity, and our people feel a sense of belonging. Be a part of the next evolution of the insurance industry. Join us in building a brighter future for our colleagues, our customers and the communities we serve. Zurich maintains a comprehensive employee benefits package for employees as well as eligible dependents and competitive compensation. Please click here to learn more.

As a global company, Zurich recognizes the diversity of our workforce as an asset. We recruit talented people from a variety of backgrounds with unique perspectives that are truly welcome here. Taken together, diversity and inclusion bring us closer to our common goal: exceeding our customers’ expectations. Zurich does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status. EOE disability/vet

Zurich does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Any unsolicited resume will become the property of Zurich American Insurance. If you are a preferred vendor, please use our Recruiting Agency Portal for resume submission.

Location(s): AM - Parsippany
Remote Working: Hybrid
Schedule: Full Time
Employment Sponsorship Offered: No


Linkedin Recruiter Tag: #LI-JJ1 #LI-ASSOCIATE #LI-HYBRID