Home Office Surety & Fidelity Underwriter

Penn National Insurance is seeking a Surety & Fidelity Underwriter who will review Surety and Fidelity new business, renewals, and endorsements under limited authority granted by the Vice President - Surety & Fidelity, or in conjunction with authority granted to Senior Underwriters or Territory Managers by the Vice President - Surety & Fidelity. This position utilizes underwriting knowledge and good judgment to recommend company acceptability of accounts, and to evaluate company risk tolerance based on underwriting guidelines and historical company underwriting appetite.

This position is remote and the ideal candidate will reside in Iowa, Wisconsin, or Minnesota.

POSITION COMPETENCIES

• Business Acumen
• Results Oriented
• Decision Making
• Negotiation
• Time & Priority Management

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review new business, renewals, and endorsements to determine acceptability using established company guidelines.
• Communicate with agents, and other department personnel regarding risk acceptability, incomplete information, rating and premium processing, etc., under the supervision of a Senior Underwriter, Territory Manager or VP, Surety & Fidelity.
• Provide feedback to Commercial Underwriters, Territory Managers and VP, Surety & Fidelity  on quality of submissions and interactions with agency personnel.
• Visit agencies with Commercial Underwriters, Territory Managers and the VP, Surety & Fidelity  to discuss underwriting matters, assist in the development of new business and to strengthen agency relations.
• Assist Commercial Underwriters, Territory Managers and VP, Surety & Fidelity with bond requests, file maintenance, and premium processing tasks.
• Assist Commercial Underwriters, Territory Managers and VP-Surety & Fidelity  with Financial Management System upkeep and related portfolio management duties.
• Maintain individual underwriting authority for smaller, less complex accounts.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Keep abreast of current industry developments, losses and rate trends including the development of new products and opportunities.
• May review agency performance based on production results, loss ratio results, and other measures and manage the results as part of the underwriting team.
• May participate in agent educational meetings.
• Applies data to solve common business problems.
• Compiles, manipulates and analyses data of varying complexity.
• Knowledgeable and proficient about what tools are available for data analysis and when they are appropriate to use.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned by Senior Underwriters, Territory Managers and the Vice President, Surety & Fidelity.

SPECIAL RELATIONSHIPS 

• Direct contact with various levels of underwriting and claims personnel
• Direct contact with agents, Senior Underwriters, Territory Mangers and clients
• Direct contact with Operations and processing personnel

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Credentials

• Bachelors degree preferred

Experience

• Minimum of 1 year experience n underwriting

Technical/Professional Knowledge

• Knowledge of underwriting and rating of risks
• Knowledge of company underwriting standards and philosophy
• Knowledge of all Surety & Fidelity coverages
• Good math and accounting aptitude
• Excellent research, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Good PC skills, with an emphasis on Microsoft Office Suite.
• Highly organized with an attention to detail

The compensation has been carefully determined by considering a variety of important factors, including skill sets, experience, training, and certifications. With these considerations in mind, the estimated hiring range is $64,987.67 - $89,358.04. Additionally, you may be eligible to participate in our annual incentive program, depending on your eligibility under the plan.

JOB REQUIREMENTS (as required by ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act)

• This position is primarily a sedentary position that requires occasional standing and walking throughout the office environment.
• Must be able to perform computer-based tasks and access digital information necessary for job duties, including through the use of assistive technologies.
• Must be able to complete computer-based tasks and utilize office equipment as needed to perform essential job functions
• Must be able to access and enter information accurately using automated systems.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with internal and external clients using telephone, electronic, or other communication systems.
• Must be able to present information to individuals and groups.
• Must be able to interpret and apply concepts that may or may not be based upon established guidelines.
• Must be able to maintain acceptable attendance and adhere to scheduled work hours.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to operate a motor vehicle.
• Must be able to travel, with overnight stays required

Why Choose Penn National Insurance?

At Penn National Insurance, we’re on a mission to help people feel secure and make life better when bad things happen. For over 106 years, we’ve been a trusted partner to individuals, families and businesses because we are a mutual insurance company where service and support for our policyholders are at the heart of everything we do. 

We’re not just a company—we’re a community united by our core mission to “Make Life Better.” Here, you’ll find a place where your professional growth, success and personal well-being are our top priorities. 

Your Career Journey: Empowering Your Growth

Your career should be more than just a job—it should empower you to feel secure, supported and inspired. At Penn National Insurance, we invest in your growth and celebrate your contributions with a comprehensive and competitive total rewards package. We’re committed to supporting your journey and helping you thrive at every stage of your career. Key highlights include:

• Benefits and Compensation: Generous 401(k) match, graded profit sharing, incentive compensation, and a wide range of benefits to support your financial health, physical well-being and career development.
• Flexibility: We offer remote and hybrid work options, flexible scheduling and a “dress-for-your-day” culture.
• Recognition: We celebrate your achievements, big and small, through employee recognition programs designed to honor your contributions.

Your Employer of Choice: A Legacy of Trust and Strength

Joining Penn National Insurance means becoming part of a company with over a century of experience, built on trust, innovation and strong relationships. From our beginnings as a mutual insurance company founded by farmers to our 100th anniversary in 2019, we've stayed true to our relationship-driven model, focusing on direct service and meaningful support. 

Your Community: Making an Impact Together

Making life better isn’t just our mission—it’s a value that guides everything we do. Our employees are at the heart of this mission, giving back through community engagement and charitable efforts. We proudly support our community through financial support and employee volunteering opportunities including our annual United Way campaign, where employee contributions and company matches make a significant impact each year.

Your Future: Building a Rewarding Career Path

We’re not just offering a job; we’re providing a fulfilling and rewarding career. We support your growth with a range of resources designed to help you build your skills and achieve your goals, including:

• Continuing Education Support: Access to programs that help you enhance your knowledge, skills and educational goals along with 100% tuition reimbursement for academic studies.
• Professional Development Opportunities: Tailored designation programs to help you advance in your career such as CPCU, AINS, CPA, CISSP, and more.
• Long-Term Career Focus: With an average employee tenure of 14 years and many team members serving for over 40 years, we take pride in fostering a work environment that values long-term growth and development.

When you join us, you’re not just starting a job—you’re becoming part of a team that values your growth and invests in your future. Our commitment to long-term retention and employee development ensures that you will be part of a tradition and legacy of excellence that spans decades.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, creed, affectional and sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and EEOC guidance, it is the policy of Pennsylvania National Insurance to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to a HR Business Partner via telephone at 800-368-4764, or through email.