Division Director, Surety

Unison Risk Advisors • Washington, DC

6d

About The Position

The Surety Division Director is the senior executive responsible for the strategic direction, operational excellence, financial performance, and growth of the firm’s Surety practice. Working with Growth Leaders (President, Market Leaders, Division Directors, Sales Leaders), the Division Director designs and drives a Practice growth plan covering sales resource planning, marketing/sales execution, and talent development. Essential Functions Develop and execute the strategic operating plan for the Surety practice, aligning goals with agency priorities and profitability targets. Establish service standards, best practices, workflows, KPIs, and champion process improvement and technology adoption. Build and maintain executive-level relationships with surety carriers; analyze carrier performance and market trends. Lead negotiation for program terms, authorities, and market placements for high-profile clients. Drive organic growth through proactive prospecting, thought leadership, and industry presence. Partner with Risk Advisors and Client Executives on prospecting, RFP responses, stewardship, and client presentations. Act as senior relationship manager for select complex accounts; provide consultation on underwriting challenges, financial analysis, contract terms, and program structure. Recruit, train, coach, mentor, and evaluate team members. Build a diverse pipeline of future leaders with clear career development and succession plans. Foster a collaborative, inclusive, performance-driven culture. Ensure adherence to agency standards, carrier guidelines, and regulatory requirements. Oversee quality control, documentation accuracy, audit readiness, invoicing, and collections in coordination with Accounting/Compliance/IT. Additional job duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 8 to 12+ years in Surety underwriting, agency/brokerage surety operations, or construction-related financial services, with leadership experience managing complex books or multi-person teams.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, risk management, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Deep technical knowledge of contract and commercial surety, financial statement analysis, underwriting principles, and industry regulations; strong relationships with regional/national carriers.
• Executive presence; credibility with clients and carriers; exceptional communication and presentation skills.
• Strong sales and financial acumen (P&L management); strategic thinking with agility to pivot priorities.
• Organization, judgment, problem-solving, and quality focus under time-sensitive conditions.
• Current and valid Property & Casualty license.

Nice To Haves

• Life & Health license is preferred for cross-selling opportunities.
• Advanced professional designation (e.g., AFSB, CPCU, ARM, CIC) and experience leading a division/practice within an agency or carrier.
• Knowledge and skills in effective use of account management systems Tinubu (SurePath) and EPIC.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the strategic operating plan for the Surety practice, aligning goals with agency priorities and profitability targets.
• Establish service standards, best practices, workflows, KPIs, and champion process improvement and technology adoption.
• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with surety carriers; analyze carrier performance and market trends.
• Lead negotiation for program terms, authorities, and market placements for high-profile clients.
• Drive organic growth through proactive prospecting, thought leadership, and industry presence.
• Partner with Risk Advisors and Client Executives on prospecting, RFP responses, stewardship, and client presentations.
• Act as senior relationship manager for select complex accounts; provide consultation on underwriting challenges, financial analysis, contract terms, and program structure.
• Recruit, train, coach, mentor, and evaluate team members.
• Build a diverse pipeline of future leaders with clear career development and succession plans.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, performance-driven culture.
• Ensure adherence to agency standards, carrier guidelines, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee quality control, documentation accuracy, audit readiness, invoicing, and collections in coordination with Accounting/Compliance/IT.
• Additional job duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director