The Southeast Series leader will be client-centric and embrace and cultivate relationships by focusing on what is best for the client, Southeast Series, Lockton, and the broader market they serve.  This leader will foster the highest level of commitment through transparent communication, will act as a change agent within the West Series, and will engage and energize others through transformation.  A West Series leader must be a culture champion who fully embraces Lockton’s strong history and client-focused culture while propelling the evolution of a new approach.

Position Summary

A high-level overview of the purpose and main responsibilities of the position.

The Surety Practice Leader provides leadership and direction for the surety practice within the Southeast Series.  This position is responsible for growing and maintaining long-standing market relationships to serve surety bond needs and to help clients eliminate risk.  They uphold our service commitments which ensure best-in-class daily surety support and continual advancements in the services we offer.  The Surety Practice Leader applies a combination of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and strong leadership skills to drive the success of the surety bonding practice.

Position Responsibilities

Key duties, areas of responsibility, and decisions made by this position.  Include the level of authority for the role.  Where possible, add estimated percent of time spent on each task (or group of tasks) to assist with exemption evaluations.

·          Develop and implement strategies to expand the surety practice and increase market share.  Cultivate relationships with clients, underwriters, and other stakeholders to enhance business opportunities.

·          Provide leadership and direction to the surety team, ensuring effective collaboration and maximized individual and collective performance.  Mentor and develop team members, fostering a positive and productive work environment.

·          Assess and analyze risks associated with surety bonds, evaluating client financials and project details to determine bondability.  Collaborate with underwriting teams to make informed decisions on surety bond applications.

·          Provide expert advice to clients on surety-related matters, helping them understand bonding requirements and options.  Address client inquiries and concerns, ensuring a high level of customer satisfaction.

·          Conduct financial analysis of clients to assess their creditworthiness and determine appropriate surety bond terms.  Work closely with finance and accounting teams to manage surety-related financial transactions.

·          Collaborate with internal teams such as legal, risk management, and finance to address cross-functional issues related to surety bonding.

·          Prepare and present reports on the performance of the surety practice, including key metrics, trends, and areas for improvement.  Ensure accurate and thorough documentation of surety bond transactions and client interactions.

·          Stay informed about market trends, competitor activities, and emerging opportunities in the surety industry.  Use market insights to develop strategies for staying competitive and meeting client needs.

·          Stay abreast of industry regulations, ensuring that the surety practice complies with legal and regulatory requirements.  Implement and enforce internal policies and procedures to maintain high standards of ethical conduct.

·          Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum and preferred education, experience level, training, licenses, and certifications necessary for success in this position.

·          Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, or a related field.  Master's degree preferred.

·          Proven experience in a leadership role within the industry or practice area.  Desire a track record of managing and inspiring high performing teams.

·          Proven experience in surety underwriting, preferably in a leadership or managerial capacity.

·          Strong knowledge of insurance, underwriting, surety bonding, regulatory compliance, and risk management required.  In depth knowledge of surety bonds, including the ability to assess risks and determine appropriate bond limits.

·          Developed and proven record of applying strong negotiation skills.  Ability to negotiate terms and conditions and close deals.

·          Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities with the ability to make sound decisions under pressure.

·          Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with clients and team members.

·          Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

·          Strong financial acumen and experience in credit analysis and budget management.

·          Proficient with underwriting software and other relevant industry tools.

Competencies / Attributes

Knowledge, skill mastery, and behavioral standards which should be consistently demonstrated to successfully perform the job duties.

·          Culture Champion - Leads from the front as a culture champion.  Reinforces and delivers on Lockton Philosophies in everything they say and do.