The Underwriting Manager will lead an underwriting team that owns the sales and underwriting relationship for commercial bonds books of business. Primary focus of this role is on broad territory management, which includes relationship, underwriting and expense management. This role develops and maintains business relationships with agencies and/or brokers for the purpose of sales growth and distribution expansion, and independently underwrites accounts based on authority level granted to the role and underwriting appetite.
What you'll be doingWhat will your essential responsibilities include?
- Monitors market conditions and confirms information gathered within market space.
- Analyzes performance of portfolio as well as individual account performance and develops appropriate action to drive profitable growth based upon the analysis.
- Reviews and approves underwriting decisions of staff and ensures compliance to legal requirements and organizational, business and strategic objectives.
- Works with other members of the PRCB team, Specialty and P&C to develop and pursue cross selling opportunities.
- Determines priorities and workflow standards for the department.
- Plans, develops and integrates territory sales plans to achieve top and bottom line objectives.
- Communicates strategic direction and operational plans to external partners.
- Communicates policies, procedures, and financial budgets that result in attainment of business objectives.
- Develops and maintains robust business relationships with key groups and individuals within the commercial lines market.
- Develops customer service standards for commercial bond team. Drives customer service performance to established standards.
- Works in partnership with fellow leaders to manage the training of employees and to ensure a high degree of competency and professionalism.
- Sets operational expectations, goals and strategies
You will report to Head of Commercial Bond.
What you'll bringWe're looking for someone who has these abilities and skills:
Required Skills and Abilities:- Extensive experience in commercial or contract surety or related underwriting experience preferred.
- Requires advanced knowledge of contract and/or commercial surety operations products, procedures and practices
- Expertise in bond lines of business, ratings, customer environment and markets.
- Requires extensive knowledge of bond underwriting best practices, field underwriting operations and day-to-day underwriting operational needs.
Desired Skills and Abilities:- Undergraduate degree in business, insurance, or a related field preferred.
- License/Certification/Designation: Actively pursuing of AFSB, CPCU or other insurance/finance related certification desired.
- Significant business management and people leadership experience desired.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in order to disseminate vision of senior leadership and to motivate a large agency force.
- Ability to set work priorities and to initiate, evaluate and recommend solutions to upper management.
- Demonstrated decision-making ability required in day-to-day operations and recommending solutions to customer.
- Must have the ability to perform duties with independent judgment, with underwriting authority and company underwriting standards.
The U.S. base salary range for this position is USD $132,200 - $257,100.
Actual pay will be determined based upon the individual's skills, experience and location. We strive for market alignment and internal equity with our colleagues' pay.
At AXA XL, we know how important physical, mental, and financial health are to our employees, which is why we are proud to offer benefits such as a competitive retirement savings plan, health and wellness programs, and many other benefits. We also believe in fostering our colleagues' development and offer a wide range of learning opportunities for colleagues to hone their professional skills and to position themselves for the next step of their careers. For more details about AXA XL's benefits offerings, please visit US Benefits at a Glance 2026.
