Commercial Surety - Underwriting Performance Director Surety (Remote/Hybrid)

The Hanover Insurance Group•Worcester, MA

4d•$140,000 - $175,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Hanover is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and experienced Underwriting Director to join our Commercial Surety team. This is an exciting opportunity to influence underwriting strategy, portfolio performance, and technical excellence within a high-performing organization that values innovation, expertise, and teamwork. As Underwriting Director, you will partner closely with regional teams, senior leadership, and key stakeholders across the enterprise to drive profitable growth, strengthen underwriting discipline, and enhance market impact from the Home Office. Candidates must possess significant Large Account Commercial Surety underwriting experience and strong underwriting acumen. More seasoned candidates may be considered for an AVP-level role. This role offers flexible work arrangements and may be hybrid or fully remote, with the ability to travel as needed to support agency engagement, market development, and key meetings. The position may be based in Itasca, IL; Somerset, NJ; Bloomington, MN; Howell, MI; Dallas, TX; Seattle, WA; Worcester, MA; Windsor, CT, or other U.S. locations with the ability to travel as needed. The Underwriting Director, Commercial Surety drives and supports underwriting excellence for designated areas or assigned territories with greater autonomy, managing account and portfolio underwriting, developing strategies, and providing technical expertise and support to local teams and leadership.

Requirements

10+ years of underwriting experience in Commercial Surety
Demonstrated success in leading underwriting strategy, portfolio oversight, or underwriting excellence initiatives
Proven leadership and mentoring experience, with the ability to influence without direct authority
Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and execution skills
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across functions
Advanced proficiency with underwriting tools, systems, and analytical platforms

Nice To Haves

Advanced knowledge of Commercial Surety underwriting principles, practices, and risk assessment
Strong understanding of portfolio management, performance monitoring, and underwriting controls
Awareness of market trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory requirements
Ability to evaluate complex risks and apply sound underwriting judgment
Experience leveraging underwriting systems, data, and analytics to drive decision-making

Responsibilities

Drive and support underwriting excellence across Commercial Surety
Manage account-level and portfolio underwriting activities with a high degree of autonomy
Develop, implement, and execute underwriting strategies in collaboration with senior leadership
Serve as a technical authority and trusted advisor to underwriting teams and business leaders
Lead underwriting initiatives and projects aligned with business growth, profitability, and risk management objectives
Monitor portfolio performance, identify trends, and take appropriate underwriting actions
Participate in underwriting, compliance, and internal audits as needed
Identify and address economic, regulatory, and legal issues impacting underwriting results
Collaborate with Product, Risk Management, Actuarial, Legal, and Claims partners to support underwriting quality and innovation
Mentor and develop underwriters by providing coaching, guidance, and technical support
Contribute to the development and delivery of underwriting tools, resources, and training programs