Bonds Trainee - Short Hills, NJ (Hybrid)

At Selective, we don't just insure uniquely, we employ uniqueness.

Selective is a midsized U.S. domestic property and casualty insurance company with a history of strong, consistent financial performance for nearly 100 years. Selective's unique position as both a leading insurance group and an employer of choice is recognized in a wide variety of awards and honors, including listing in Forbes Best Midsize Employers in 2025 and certification as a Great Place to Work in 2025 for the sixth consecutive year.

Employees are empowered and encouraged to Be Uniquely You by being their true, unique selves and contributing their diverse talents, experiences, and perspectives to our shared success. Together, we are a high-performing team working to serve our customers responsibly by helping to mitigate loss, keep them safe, and restore their lives and businesses after an insured loss occurs.

Learn to underwrite surety bond business by the successful completion of our training (may include on-the-job, self-study, and classroom). Learns to administer and monitor underwriting rules and guidelines, rating manual rules, and insurance laws and regulations. Will learn to review an agent's book of business as well as techniques to provide service and guidance to agents. A trainee will be expected to learn the business and support more experienced underwriters. All job duties and responsibilities must be carried out in compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Note: (For NJ candidates) This role will be located at our future headquarters in Short Hills, N.J. Until the new headquarters is operational, the successful candidate will be offered the ability to work in our Branchville, N.J. location during this interim period.

• Develop proficiency in surety bond insurance theories and underwriting practices. Prepare detailed account review for presentation to Corporate Line of Business Specialist and SBU staff.
• Develop expertise in analyzing customer needs including but not limited to financial analysis, bond forms, and contract review.
• Learn how to negotiate price, coverage, and terms for new bonds and renewals. Deliver and present renewal proposals to agency personnel along with assigned underwriters and/or BAMS.
• Build relationships with agents through agency visitation, phone conversations, and written correspondence.
• Collaborate with underwriters, claims, and marketing in an effort to learn business and processes.
• Demonstrate an aptitude for analyzing and interpreting underwriting information. Support BAMS and renewal underwriters by analyzing data to determine coverage and line of business upsells.
• May be required to travel to agent's office, attend Risk Management surveys, Premium Audit and Claim reviews.
• Participate with Corporate Group project as assigned.

Knowledge and Requirements

• Demonstrated self-starter.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with internal and external customers/peers.
• Must show sound, balanced and timely decision-making skills.
• Must have valid state-issued driver's license in good standing.
• Achieve AFSB insurance designation within 18 months of accepting position.

Education and Experience

• College degree preferred

Selective Insurance offers a total rewards package that includes a competitive base salary, incentive plan eligibility at all levels, and a wide array of benefits designed to help you and your family stay healthy, achieve your financial goals, and balance the demands of your work and personal life. These benefits include comprehensive health care plans, retirement savings plan with company match, discounted Employee Stock Purchase Program, tuition assistance and reimbursement programs, and 20 days of paid time off. Additional details about our total rewards package can be found by visiting our benefits page.

The actual base salary is based on geographic location, and the range is representative of salaries for this role throughout Selective's footprint. Additional considerations include relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, performance, and business needs.

Selective is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. That means we respect and value every individual's unique opinions, beliefs, abilities, and perspectives. We are committed to promoting a welcoming culture that celebrates diverse talent, individual identity, different points of view and experiences - and empowers employees to contribute new ideas that support our continued and growing success. Building a highly engaged team is one of our core strategic imperatives, which we believe is enhanced by diversity, equity, and inclusion. We expect and encourage all employees and all of our business partners to embrace, practice, and monitor the attitudes, values, and goals of acceptance; address biases; and foster diversity of viewpoints and opinions.

For Massachusetts Applicants

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.