Contract Surety Underwriter

Company Description JCA Surety Group is a surety-only agency headquartered in Central Florida, specializing in civil infrastructure and public works projects. The agency provides access to project analytics and industry trends across the state, helping clients make informed decisions and manage risk effectively. JCA Surety Group maintains active involvement in key industry organizations, including AWWA, FWEA, and FTBA which supports strong professional networks and up-to-date market insights. Team members benefit from a focused environment dedicated to surety solutions and the opportunity to work closely with construction and infrastructure stakeholders.

Role Description Contract Surety Underwriter

Location: Orlando, FL

Salary: $125,000 - $150,000 Annually Performance Bonus

Benefits: Health Insurance, 6% 401(k) Match, Paid Time Off, Professional Development

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial Contract Surety Underwriter to join our surety agency. This role combines traditional underwriting responsibilities with operational leadership, team management, and technology innovation. The successful candidate will be responsible for evaluating and underwriting contract surety accounts, managing staff, and helping design and implement automation protocols that improve efficiency, consistency, and scalability throughout the agency.

This is an excellent opportunity for an underwriter who wants to play a meaningful leadership role in shaping the future of a technology-driven surety organization.

Key ResponsibilitiesSurety Underwriting

• Analyze financial statements, work programs, bank information, and contractor performance.
• Evaluate new and existing contract surety accounts for bid, performance, payment, maintenance, and miscellaneous bonds.
• Determine bond programs, aggregate capacity, and job-specific support recommendations.
• Identify underwriting risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Prepare underwriting narratives and recommendations for surety company partners.
• Collaborate with producers and account managers to structure bond programs.
• Maintain strong relationships with surety company underwriters and home office personnel.
• Participate in contractor meetings, indemnity reviews, and financial discussions.

Agency Leadership & Management

• Provide leadership and mentoring to underwriting and bond operations personnel.
• Manage direct reports, including training, performance coaching, workload allocation, and career development.
• Develop underwriting guidelines, procedures, and best practices.
• Assist with recruiting and onboarding underwriting staff.
• Monitor departmental productivity and service standards.
• Support executive leadership in strategic planning and operational initiatives.

Process Improvement & Automation

• Lead the design and implementation of underwriting automation workflows.
• Work with management and technology vendors to automate bond processing and underwriting activities.
• Assist in developing AI-assisted workflows, document automation, CRM integrations, and digital underwriting tools.
• Partner with operations teams to identify bottlenecks and eliminate manual processes.
• Create documentation, rules, and quality-control standards for automated processes.
• Help integrate agency platforms, including CRM, document management systems, and workflow automation solutions.

Business Development Support

• Assist producers in developing new contractor relationships.
• Participate in presentations and client meetings.
• Identify opportunities for account growth and improved client retention.
• Serve as a technical underwriting resource for agency personnel and clients.

QualificationsRequired

• 7 years of Contract Surety underwriting experience.
• Strong understanding of construction accounting and contractor financial analysis.
• Experience underwriting bid, performance, and payment bonds.
• Proven ability to analyze work program capacity and contractor risk.
• Strong communication and relationship management skills.
• Experience managing employees or leading teams.

Preferred

• AFSB, CCIFP, CPA, or related professional designation.
• Experience working for a surety carrier, surety agency, or brokerage.
• Familiarity with Salesforce, SharePoint, Power Automate, AI tools, or workflow automation platforms.
• Demonstrated experience implementing technology or process improvement initiatives.
• Existing relationships with regional and national surety markets.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $125,000 - $150,000
• Performance Bonus Program
• Annual Incentive Opportunities - 10% - 25% of Salary, based on performance and agency growth.
• 6% Company Match on 401(k)
• Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance (company pays 100% of Employee's health insurance)
• Paid Vacation and Holidays
• Continuing Education and Professional Designation Support

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a technically strong surety underwriter who understands contractor risk, enjoys mentoring others, and is excited about leveraging technology to transform the surety business. This individual will help build a best-in-class underwriting operation while contributing to the long-term strategic growth of the Agency.