Senior Underwriter - Transactional Surety

RLI Insurance Company•Peoria, AZ

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

RLI is a specialty insurance company that helps customers navigate the world of insurance and risk. For more than a half century, we’ve been helping people and companies safeguard their assets through our innovative portfolio of property and casualty coverages and surety products. We’re not what you’d expect from a typical insurance company. From our products to our business model, our culture to our results — we’re different. Our remarkable people. Our people are among the smartest and most knowledgeable in the business. They are experts at building relationships that last with our brokers and customers by providing outstanding service and creating ideal coverages with competitive premiums. Our underwriting focus. We seek underserved niches in the marketplace and provide coverages that meet very specific needs. We eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy, give our underwriters authority and share the profits. Our entrepreneurial culture. At RLI, we’ve created a business model that works: hire smart, ethical people, make them owners of the business, and give them the freedom to succeed. Our employees are encouraged to seek out opportunities, make things happen and do the unexpected.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in insurance, finance, risk management, business, or a related field.
Minimum of 5+ years of underwriting, surety, or related experience.
Demonstrated ability to build and sustain productive agency relationships preferred.
Equivalent combination of education and experience.
Strong relationship management skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility with agency partners through consistent, high-quality interactions.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey underwriting decisions and collaborate effectively with internal and external customers.
High level of responsiveness, follow-through, and customer focus, aligned with RLI’s service expectations.
Ability to analyze and underwrite risks using sound judgment, balancing production goals with underwriting discipline.
Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to effectively manage a travel and underwriting based role.
Strategic thinker with the ability to identify opportunities for growth and strengthen RLI’s position within the agency distribution network.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, contributing to team success while managing individual territory objectives.

Responsibilities

Own profit and loss responsibility for a book of Transactional Surety business, with a focus on profitable growth through strong agency partnerships and disciplined underwriting.
Build, develop, and maintain meaningful relationships with agency partners, brokers, and key contacts, serving as a responsive, reliable, and solutions-oriented underwriting partner.
Actively manage a territory, primarily Arizona and New Mexico, through regular travel and in-person engagement, including agency visits, joint planning meetings, and industry events.
Drive new business opportunities by deepening existing relationships and establishing new agency partnerships, increasing RLI’s visibility and relevance in the marketplace.
Develop and execute a territory marketing plan focused on targeted agency engagement, thoughtful pipeline development, and long-term partnership growth.
Generate and sustain quality submission flow through consistent communication, follow-up, and a strong understanding of agency needs and market dynamics.
Analyze, evaluate, accept, decline, rate, quote, new and renewal business, including moderately complex to complex risks, while maintaining underwriting discipline.
Communicate underwriting appetite, decisions, and recommendations clearly and professionally, reinforcing RLI’s value through responsiveness, consistency, and expertise.
Balance relationship development with adherence to underwriting guidelines and authority, ensuring sound risk selection and portfolio performance.
Assist in bond approval, issuance, and change requests, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
Lead special projects and contribute to broader team and organizational initiatives as needed.

Benefits

Annual bonus plans
Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)
401(k) — automatic 3% company contribution
Annual 401k and ESOP profit-sharing contributions (Up to 15% of eligible earnings)
Paid time off (PTO) and holidays
Paid volunteer time off (VTO) to support our communities
Parental and family care leave
Flexible & hybrid work arrangements
Fitness center discounts and free virtual fitness platform
Employee assistance program
Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits
Flexible spending and health savings accounts
2x base salary for group life and AD&D insurance
Voluntary life, critical illness, & accident insurance for purchase
Short-term and long-term disability benefits
Training & certification opportunities
Tuition reimbursement
Education bonuses