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

The Hanover Insurance Group•Worcester, MA

About The Position

For more than 170 years, The Hanover has been committed to delivering on our promises and being there when it matters the most. We live our values every day, demonstrating we CARE through our values, Sustainability initiatives and inclusive corporate culture. The Hanover is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and experienced Underwriting Director to join our dynamic Commercial Surety team. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to a high-performing organization that values innovation, technical expertise, and teamwork. As Underwriting Director, you will help drive underwriting excellence, portfolio performance, and technical rigor from the Home Office, partnering closely with regional teams, senior leadership, and stakeholders across the enterprise. The way we work continues to evolve. 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 US locations with the ability to travel as needed. At The Hanover, our culture is grounded in our Care Values—we care about our people, our customers, and the communities we serve. We foster an inclusive, supportive environment where experienced professionals are empowered to make decisions, share ideas, and grow their careers while working together toward shared goals. The Hanover is a diverse and inclusive organization committed to attracting, developing, and retaining top talent. We believe diverse perspectives and experiences strengthen our teams, our performance, and the relationships we build every day. 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. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply. This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on underwriting performance and strategy within a growing Commercial Surety business. You will collaborate with experienced underwriting leaders, influence key business outcomes, and help shape the future of Hanover Surety. At The Hanover, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where professionals can do their best work. We recognize the demands of today’s fast-paced world and support flexibility through modern work arrangements. This position may be performed at a hybrid or fully remote capacity, based near any Hanover office, with occasional business travel as needed. THIS IS A FULL-TIME, EXEMPT ROLE.

Requirements

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
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

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