Associate Underwriter - Surety in Manchester

Who Are We? Taking care of our customers, our communities and each other. That’s the Travelers Promise. By honoring this commitment, we have maintained our reputation as one of the best property casualty insurers in the industry for over 170 years. Join us to discover a culture that is rooted in innovation and thrives on collaboration. Imagine loving what you do and where you do it.

What Is the Opportunity? We are looking for an Associate Underwriter to join our respected Surety team in Manchester. This is a fantastic opportunity to begin, or progress, your career within this specialised area of insurance. You will need to have some experience in the financial services or legal sectors with a basic understanding of how to read and analyse financial statements and/or legal contracts. Our experienced Surety team and specialised Bond School in the US will provide you with all the training and support you need to succeed. Surety is a credit‑based product that financially secures contracts between two parties. It is typically used in the construction industry to assist with completion of projects, but also offers various different types of guarantees for industries outside of construction. Over time you will learn how to underwrite both commercial and construction transactions, negotiate underwriting terms and indemnity agreements, review contracts and research statutory requirements of bonding in order to seek out profitable risk opportunities for our organisation.

Travelers Europe currently offers flexibility to employees who wish to work on a hybrid basis in accordance with our Hybrid Work Arrangements Policy. This entails full‑time employees working three days a week in the office and two days at home (or pro‑rata for part‑time employees). This policy may be changed at the Company’s discretion.

What Will You Do?

• Learn and understand Travelers financial underwriting requirements pertaining to surety credit risk.
• Underwrite and assess risk to maximise business growth and profitability for allocated broker panel or clients.
• Make appropriate decisions within facility authority in addition to considered, intelligent and complete recommendations to technical underwriting/business leadership.
• Make prompt, sound decisions within facility authority and based on appropriate underwriting information.
• Negotiate terms and conditions consistent with underwriting requirements and service.
• Understand and execute Travelers' underwriting strategies and principles to produce budgeted results.
• Work with Primary Underwriter on same broker panel/client to continuously manage book of business, maintaining quality of business, growth and profit.
• Accountable for accurate bond underwriting documentation and information in account management systems and adherence to Travelers' documentation standards.
• Actively engage and seek out training opportunities to further develop underwriting expertise.
• Develop and leverage broker/client relationships through a high level of visibility and using a disciplined sales management approach (e.g. planning and follow‑up for client visits/meetings) in support of business objectives.
• Effectively assist in the development, documentation and execution of sales plans with emphasis on increasing marketing and sales activities outside the office.
• Actively participate in scheduled underwriting and meetings.
• Demonstrate superior customer service standards (consistency, quick response, knowledge of products) to meet Travelers' service standards.
• Support maintenance of exposure tracking systems to enable accurate reporting and facility monitoring.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What Will Our Ideal Candidate Have?

• Degree education.
• A full, valid driving licence.

What is a Must Have?

• Intermediate knowledge and ability required in respect of analytical thinking, judgment, decision making, communication and strong teamwork.
• Demonstrates proven ability in enhanced retention strategies.
• Demonstrates intermediate ability in the areas of customer focus and positive broker interaction.
• Demonstrates intermediate knowledge and ability in respect of Microsoft Office systems including Excel and PowerPoint.
• Typically demonstrates intermediate relationship management skills.

What Is in It for You?

• Private Medical Insurance: On commencement of employment, you are eligible for single cover provided by Travelers, with the option to add cover for your dependents, at your expense through payroll deduction.
• Retirement: Travelers will make a core contribution of a percentage of salary to your Pension Plan. Additionally, if you decide to contribute to the plan, you will receive an increased company contribution.
• Holiday Entitlement: Start your career at Travelers with a minimum of 25 days holiday entitlement annually, plus the opportunity to purchase additional days to allow for up to a total of 35 holidays per year.
• Wellness Programme: The Travelers wellness programme is comprised of tools, discounts and resources that empower you to achieve your wellness goals and caregiving needs. In addition, our mental health programme provides access to free professional counseling services and other resources that support your daily life needs.
• Volunteer Encouragement: We have a deep commitment to the communities we serve and encourage our employees to get involved. Travelers has a Matching Gift and Volunteer Rewards programme that enables you to give back to the charity of your choice.

Employment Practices: Travelers is an equal opportunity employer. We value the unique abilities and talents each individual brings to our organization and recognize that we benefit in numerous ways from our differences. If you are a candidate and have specific questions regarding the physical requirements of this role, please send us an email so we may assist you. Travelers reserves the right to fill this position at a level above or below the level included in this posting.