Lead Underwriting Analyst – Commercial Surety

MSIG USA•Alexandria, VA

1d•$100,000 - $125,000

About The Position

The Lead Underwriting Analyst supports MSIG USA’s Commercial Surety business and directly manages the Underwriting Analyst team. The role sets workload priorities, oversees submission intake and account servicing, and ensures accurate and timely execution across the surety bond lifecycle. It partners closely with underwriters to resolve complex operational issues, improve processes and service levels, and support business growth. The position oversees submission processing and account support, including bond issuance and servicing, and ensures underwriting and bond records are prepared and maintained accurately. It also leads the analyst team through workload management, coaching and development; promotes consistent procedures and controls; and identifies operational issues and process improvements.

Requirements

5+ years of relevant surety underwriting support, underwriting operations, insurance operations, credit or related experience preferred.
2+ years of direct people-management experience, including setting priorities, assigning work, coaching and developing employees, preferred.
Experience managing high-volume, deadline-driven work and resolving complex or non-standard operational issues.
Strong people leadership, coaching and workload-management skills.
Strong judgment and problem-solving skills, with the ability to operate effectively in an evolving environment.
Excellent organization and prioritization skills, including the ability to manage competing demands.
Strong attention to detail and understanding of the importance of accurate bond documentation and execution.
Strong ownership, initiative and accountability.
Strong service orientation and ability to partner effectively with underwriters, brokers, agents and cross-functional stakeholders.
Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to understand and apply underwriting authorities, operational procedures and controls in day-to-day business activities.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree preferred.
Commercial Surety experience strongly preferred; relevant Contract Surety or closely related product experience may be considered.
Familiarity with commercial surety products and bond forms, including license and permit, court, fiduciary, miscellaneous, financial and other commercial surety obligations.
Strong understanding of underwriting and surety bond lifecycle activities, with demonstrated ability to improve workflows and processes.

Responsibilities

Oversee intake, clearing, assignment and processing of new and renewal submissions to provide timely and accurate underwriting support.
Ensure submissions, account information and supporting documentation are complete, accurate and prepared for underwriting review.
Oversee account servicing throughout the surety bond lifecycle, including bond issuance, riders, continuations, renewals, cancellations and other bond-related transactions.
Oversee accurate preparation and maintenance of underwriting and bond records, including account, principal, obligee and bond information.
Troubleshoot complex or non-standard account, bond and operational issues, escalating material matters when appropriate.
Partner with underwriters to manage operational needs and meet service expectations for brokers, agents and other stakeholders.
Support proper execution and delivery of surety bonds and related documents in accordance with underwriting authorities, procedures and controls.
Directly manage, coach and develop the Underwriting Analyst team.
Establish priorities, assign and balance workloads, monitor progress, and hold team members accountable for timely and accurate execution.
Manage workflow and turnaround times across submissions, bond requests and servicing activities; identify bottlenecks and drive issues to resolution.
Provide ongoing feedback, training and development to strengthen individual and team capability.
Provide direction and sound judgment when established procedures do not fully address a situation.
Promote coordination among analysts, underwriters, brokers and other internal stakeholders to maintain service standards.
Identify and implement practical improvements to workflows, procedures, tools and controls.
Promote consistent application of underwriting guidelines, documentation standards, bond issuance procedures and escalation protocols.
Help ensure compliance with controls concerning underwriting authority, bond execution, powers of attorney and other surety documentation requirements.
Identify recurring errors, service delays and operational challenges and work with stakeholders to address root causes.
Support system enhancements, automation initiatives and operational changes as the Commercial Surety business evolves.
Help develop and maintain procedures, training materials and operational standards for the Underwriting Analyst team.