Intermediate Contract Surety Underwriter

As an Intermediate Contract Surety Underwriter at Aviva, you will manage an existing surety book while ensuring compliance with our Risk & Control Framework. Your role involves assessing contract surety risks, providing underwriting recommendations, and representing your book of business to internal and external stakeholders. You will also help develop marketing strategies to enhance recognition of our surety services.

To qualify as an Intermediate Contract Surety Underwriter at Aviva, candidates should have over a year of relevant underwriting experience, ideally in contract surety. A university degree in commerce, economics, business, or accounting is preferred. It's also essential that applicants possess strong communication skills and a good understanding of the surety industry and its associated processes.

Aviva offers a hybrid working model for the Intermediate Contract Surety Underwriter role, which allows for a blend of remote and in-office work. This flexibility encourages work-life balance while also facilitating collaboration with team members and stakeholders. Specific arrangements can be discussed further during the interview process.

At Aviva, we are deeply committed to the professional growth of our employees. Intermediate Contract Surety Underwriters have access to various career development programs that include mentorship, continuing education, and workshops. We believe in fostering a culture of continuous learning, empowering you to advance in your career within the surety industry.

As part of Aviva, an Intermediate Contract Surety Underwriter will experience a company culture that emphasizes our core values: Care, Commitment, Community, and Confidence. We prioritize collaboration, support, and inclusivity, ensuring that everyone feels valued and encouraged to contribute their unique perspectives.

When answering this question, focus on specific roles and responsibilities you've held related to contract surety underwriting. Share any projects or accounts you've managed, and highlight your decision-making process regarding risk assessment. Tailor your examples to demonstrate how your experience aligns with Aviva's values and the requirements of the Intermediate Contract Surety Underwriter position.

For this question, provide examples of past situations where you encountered challenges in communication. Explain your approach to resolving conflicts and ensuring mutual understanding. Emphasize your commitment to maintaining strong relationships by being transparent and solution-focused, aligning with Aviva's commitment to excellent service.

To answer effectively, share your understanding of risk management principles as they relate to underwriting practices. Speak about the importance of adhering to the Risk & Control Framework in maintaining the integrity of the underwriting process. If familiar with Aviva specifically, mention how their framework impacts decision-making and ensures compliance.

Outline a situation where you had to assess a complex risk and the steps you took to arrive at a well-informed decision. Discuss the data you relied on, the stakeholders you consulted, and the outcome of your decision. Highlight the importance of thorough risk analysis in your role as an Intermediate Contract Surety Underwriter.

Building relationships is crucial in underwriting, especially in contract surety. Discuss your strategies for developing rapport, such as regular communication, understanding their needs, and providing opportunities for collaboration. Your answer should reflect Aviva’s value of community and commitment to fostering strong partnerships.

Provide an overview of current trends or challenges facing the surety industry, such as shifts in regulatory requirements or market competition. Explain how these challenges impact underwriting practices and how being proactive and informed allows you to navigate these issues effectively in your role.

Discuss your knowledge of the accounting cycle, focusing on how it impacts underwriting decisions. Explain how understanding financial statements and accounting processes assists in risk assessment and reinforces sound underwriting judgment. Relate this back to the expectations of the Intermediate Contract Surety Underwriter at Aviva.

Your answer should reflect creativity and strategic thinking. Discuss how you would develop marketing plans, cultivate relationships with brokers, and leverage digital platforms to raise awareness. Align your strategies with Aviva's vision and commitment to excellence in customer service within the surety department.

Elaborate on your time management skills and methods for prioritizing tasks. Describe how you assess the urgency and importance of each account and how you ensure compliance with underwriting principles while maintaining high levels of service, drawing connections to the role's responsibilities.

Reflect on your passion for problem-solving, analytical thinking, and helping clients achieve their business goals. Emphasize your drive for continuous learning and professional growth, which aligns with Aviva's commitment to development and effectiveness in the role of an Intermediate Contract Surety Underwriter.