Assistant Vice President, Surety Claims

This is an opportunity to join Ascot Group - one of the world’s preeminent specialty risk underwriting organizations.

Designed as a modern-era company operating through an ecosystem of interconnected global operating platforms, we’re bound by a common mission and purpose: One Ascot. Our greatest strength is a talented team who flourish in a collaborative, inclusive, and entrepreneurial culture, steeped in underwriting excellence, integrity, and a passion to find a better way, The Ascot Way.

The Ascot Way guides our people and our organization. Our underwriting platforms collaborate to find creative ways to deploy our capital in a true cross-product and cross-platform approach. These platforms work as one, deploying our capital creatively through our unique Fusion Model: Client Centric, Risk Centric, Technology Centric.

Built to be resilient, Ascot maximizes client financial security while delivering bespoke products and world class service — both pre- and post-claims. Ascot exists to solve for our clients’ brightest tomorrow, through agility, collaboration, resilience, and discipline.

Ascot is embedding artificial intelligence (AI) and automation across the organisation to enhance decision‑making, efficiency, and quality of outcomes. In this role, you will be expected to work confidently alongside AI‑enabled tools, apply sound judgment when interpreting insights, and adapt as technology continues to evolve. We value curiosity, critical thinking, and a willingness to embrace change as part of how we work.

Position Overview:

The Assistant Vice President, Surety Claims is responsible for managing complex surety claims while providing direct supervisory oversight to claims staff within a growing department. The role combines technical expertise, leadership, operational execution, and strong cross-functional collaboration. This position supports departmental growth by establishing best practices, ensuring consistent claim handling, and developing talent.

Responsibilities:

- Manage complex surety claims including performance, payment, and commercial bonds.
- Oversee investigation, evaluation, reserving, and resolution of claims.
- Supervise junior claims staff and ensure quality, consistency, and timeliness of work.
- Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance feedback.
- Support hiring, onboarding, and training of team members.
- Develop and implement claim handling procedures and governance standards.
- Partner with underwriting, legal, and finance teams.
- Identify and escalate significant legal, financial, or reputational risks.
- Contribute to departmental strategy, reporting, and operational improvements.
- Commit to The Ascot Way : Embody The Ascot Way in their daily interaction with colleagues, fostering colleague engagement and development, collaboration, inclusivity, and individual accountability.

Requirements:

- Bachelor’s degree required; Juris Doctor preferred.
- Minimum 10 years extensive experience in surety claims handling, construction litigation and/or surety litigation.
- Strong knowledge of surety bonds, indemnity, and construction claims.
- Excellent communication, analytical, and organizational skills.

***This position may be filled at a different level, depending on experience***

Company Benefits

The Company provides a competitive benefits package that includes the following (eligibility requirements apply):

Health and Welfare Benefits: Medical (including prescription coverage), Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account, Commuter Account, Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, AD&D, Work/Life Resources (including Employee Assistance Program), and more

Leave Benefits: Paid holidays, annual Paid Time Off (includes paid state /local paid leave where required), Short-term Disability, Long-term Disability, Other leaves (e.g., Bereavement, FMLA, Adoption, Maternity, Military, Primary & Non-Primary Caregiver)

Retirement Benefits: Contributory Savings Plan (401k)

Actual base pay could vary and may be above or below the listed range based on factors including but not limited to experience, subject matter expertise, and skills. The base pay is just one component of Ascot’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual cash bonus, long-term incentives, and other forms of discretionary compensation awarded by the Company. The annualized base pay range for this role is: $170,000 - $190,000.