Role Title: Senior Underwriter, Surety Department: Underwriting Location: Hong Kong Type: Permanent Job Summary: With minimal supervision, the Senior Underwriter independently contributes to the growth and profitability of Surety portfolio through marketing, underwriting and managing of complex risks across both contract and commercial surety. Risks may require special handling or unusual coverage. The role has clear accountability for business results and requires deep surety technical expertise, strong strategic and marketing capability, and disciplined underwriting judgment. May serve as a product line expert or provide product-line expertise to department. This position is responsible for leading and developing junior underwriting and support staff, while strengthening broker/client relationships and ensuring adherence to Liberty's underwriting standards, policies, procedures and regulatory requirements.
Job Responsibilities: Underwriting & Risk Assessment - Originate, lead and underwrite surety transactions (new and renewal) across contract and commercial surety.
- Perform analytical evaluations of financial statements on a static and trend basis; assess interim financials and (where applicable) work-in-progress/backlog information.
- Determine underwriting position for complex risks, including appropriate structure and controls (e.g., indemnity, collateral/security, conditions, limits, monitoring requirements, pricing).
- Analyse exposures and recommend appropriate surety coverage, terms and conditions considering risk characteristics, loss history and economic/industry trends.
- Identify early warning signs of deterioration; implement and monitor milestones, action plans and (where necessary) exit strategies.
- Act as a technical resource and referral point within the team, providing guidance on underwriting approach, documentation and risk controls.
Portfolio Management & Profitability - Manage an assigned portfolio to deliver sustainable growth, retention and profitability in line with Liberty's underwriting appetite and quality selection standards.
- Continuously evaluate the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the portfolio using available tools (e.g., Power BI, portfolio reporting).
- Monitor and control utilisation of approved lines/limits to ensure compliance with guidelines and internal governance requirements.
- Ensure underwriting files, approvals, logs and records are accurate, complete and audit-ready.
Broker/Client Management, Marketing & Distribution - Establish and maintain strong relationships with brokers and clients to promote Liberty's Surety proposition and deepen strategic partnerships.
- Educate brokers and clients on surety appetite, policies, procedures, and requirements, act consultatively in account reviews and performance discussions.
- Execute negotiation and selling strategies to ensure profitable growth; articulate Liberty's value proposition and test pricing/rating elasticity during underwriting.
- Provide direction on topics to be addressed in meetings with clients and brokers; support and deliver broker training and market presentations as required.
- Coordinate with other product line underwriters to identify cross-sell opportunities and deliver an integrated service experience.
Stakeholder Management & Operational Discipline - Investigate, analyse and manage underwriting/accounting/workflow issues within the framework of surety policies and procedures.
- Work closely with Claims, Risk Management, Legal, Finance, Business Operations and Compliance to support Liberty's integrated business approach and ensure seamless underwriting delivery.
- Monitor premium payment status through Finance reporting; ensure discrepancies are investigated and resolved in a timely manner.
- Participate in audits and reviews as required; ensure compliance with legal, statutory, regulatory and corporate requirements.
People Leadership - Manage and develop junior underwriting and support staff by providing coaching and feedback, identifying development needs, and leading by example.
- Mentor and train less experienced employees, including providing technical training and guidance to underwriters/assistant underwriters and underwriting assistants.
- Contribute to a high-performance, collaborative team environment through professional interaction and proactive support.
Strategy & Continuous Improvement - Provide strategic input into product development and marketing plans, including market research, competitor analysis, product design and segment/geographic focus.
- Review and negotiate policy terms and conditions; assist with policy wordings and endorsements where required.
- Drive continuous improvement of underwriting practices, processes and service delivery.
- Demonstrate behaviour aligned with Liberty core values and "Managing the Cycle" principles.
- Perform other related duties as assigned by your manager or other appropriate officer.
- Provide support / assistance to Surety Manager and / or cover for them in their absence.
Job Qualifications: - Significant relevant experience in Surety underwriting; may also consider strong corporate/commercial credit underwriting experience (e.g., banking) with clear applicability to surety risk assessment.
- Demonstrated track record of business development, broker management and profitable portfolio outcomes.
- Strong financial analysis skills, including interpreting financial statements and assessing credit risk; able to evaluate complex risks and recommend appropriate risk controls.
- Proven ability to implement and maintain effective underwriting and administrative processes/workflows.
- Strong capability in prioritising and managing multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment with high attention to detail.
- Strong collaboration and teamwork, with the ability to work effectively across functions.
- Strong problem-solving, marketing and account-management skills.
- Strong economic, political, current affairs understanding and knowledge.
- Excellent communication and relationship building skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and relevant business systems.
- Ambitious self-starter.
- Ability to lead and develop junior staff members.
- Tertiary qualification in a related discipline (Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, Risk Management or similar) is preferred.
- Strong understanding of local and regional market dynamics impacting surety in Asia would be a plus.
Role Competencies - Advanced technical underwriting skills and surety product knowledge
- Highly proficient relationship building and influencing skills
- Extensive verbal and written communications and presentation skills
- Extensive negotiation skills and selling skills
- Extensive decision-making skills
- Demonstrated ability to drive for results
- Extensive analytical skills
- Proven ability to manage and grow a successful profitable portfolio
- Extensive business, financial and market acumen awareness/understanding
- Strong strategic agility skills
- Ability to lead, coach and develop junior staff
- Highly proficient interpersonal and emotional intelligence skills
- Strong commitment to the Liberty business operating model including 'Managing the Cycle'