Underwriting Manager

Placements24; Queenstown; Hybrid; NZD 98,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and bonus

Hybrid work arrangement

Professional growth and leadership dev

Medical and retirement benefits

Team collaboration environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an Underwriting Manager to lead a team in Queenstown, ZA, with hybrid work options between remote and local office collaboration. You will oversee the underwriting process, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and profitability, while mentoring staff and setting performance standards.

The role requires strong leadership, risk assessment expertise, and a proven ability to drive results across multiple insurance lines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, or related field.
• 5-7 years of insurance underwriting experience with at least 2 years in a supervisory/management role.
• In-depth knowledge of property, casualty, life, health lines and underwriting principles.
• Proven leadership and team management skills.
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of underwriters, setting objectives and performance expectations.
• Develop and implement underwriting guidelines, policies, and procedures for profitable risk selection.
• Monitor underwriting performance, analyze metrics, and take corrective actions.
• Review and approve complex or high-value applications and guide the team on challenging cases.
• Collaborate with senior management, product development, and claims to align strategies.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and internal controls.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Risk assessment

Analytical skills

Communication

Underwriting software

Hybrid work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Finance

Tools

Underwriting software

Risk management tools

Job description

About the Role Our client is seeking a dynamic and experienced Underwriting Manager to lead their team in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, ZA . This hybrid role allows for a balance between working remotely and collaborating with your team at our local office. You will be responsible for overseeing the underwriting process, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and profitability. Your role involves managing a team of underwriters, setting performance standards, and developing underwriting strategies. The ideal candidate possesses strong leadership skills, a deep understanding of risk assessment, and a proven ability to drive results. You will play a critical part in the company's success by maintaining a sound underwriting portfolio and fostering a high-performing team environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of insurance underwriters, setting clear objectives and performance expectations.
• Develop and implement underwriting guidelines, policies, and procedures to ensure consistent and profitable risk selection.
• Monitor underwriting performance, analyze key metrics, and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Review and approve complex or high-value insurance applications, providing guidance to the team on challenging cases.
• Collaborate with senior management, product development, and claims departments to align underwriting strategies with overall business goals.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements and internal controls related to underwriting.
• Contribute to the development and execution of underwriting strategies for new and existing products.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and professional development within the underwriting team.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in insurance underwriting, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or management role.
• In-depth knowledge of various insurance lines (e.g., property, casualty, life, health) and underwriting principles.
• Proven leadership and team management skills.
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in underwriting software and risk management tools.
• Ability to work effectively within a hybrid model, balancing remote and office responsibilities.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and bonus structure commensurate with experience.
• Hybrid work arrangement offering flexibility and work-life balance.
• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits package.
• Company-provided resources and support for managing remote and office operations.
• A collaborative and supportive team environment.
• Chance to influence the strategic direction of the underwriting function in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, ZA .