Senior Underwriting Manager - Short-Term Insurance

Placements24; Waukee (IA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive salary

Performance-based bonus

Executive medical aid

Provident fund

Generous leave

Job summary

Placements24, a dynamic insurer, seeks a Senior Underwriting Manager to lead the short-term underwriting function in a remote-capable leadership role. You will shape underwriting strategy, guide a remote team, and drive profitability through disciplined risk management.

You will collaborate with actuarial and finance teams, ensure regulatory compliance, and build relationships with brokers while advancing product innovation in a remote-first environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years in short-term insurance underwriting with at least 3 years in a management/leadership role.
• Tertiary qualification in Insurance, Finance, Business or related field; professional underwriting qualifications desirable.
• Deep knowledge of short-term insurance lines (Commercial, Personal, Marine, Engineering).
• Proven ability to lead and motivate a remote team; strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and oversee underwriting strategy and guidelines for short-term products.
• Mentor and develop a high-performing team of underwriters.
• Monitor profitability and risk appetite across the portfolio.
• Conduct market analysis to identify trends and opportunities.
• Collaborate with product teams to innovate and launch new products.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and adherence to policies.
• Work with actuarial and finance on pricing, reserving, and capital management.
• Build relationships with brokers and distribution partners.
• Drive continuous improvement in underwriting practices.

Skills

Leadership

Underwriting strategy

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Profitability management

Remote team management

Strategic thinking

Education

Tertiary qualification in Insurance/Finance/Business

Tools

Underwriting systems

Data analysis tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic and innovative insurer, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Underwriting Manager to lead their short-term insurance division. This is a fully remote leadership role, offering the opportunity to shape underwriting strategy and manage a team from anywhere. You will be responsible for developing and implementing effective underwriting policies and guidelines, ensuring profitable growth and risk appetite adherence for the short-term insurance portfolio. The ideal candidate will possess extensive expertise in short-term insurance underwriting, strong leadership capabilities, and a strategic mindset to drive underwriting excellence in a remote-first environment. This is a significant opportunity to make a substantial impact on the company's strategic direction and financial performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and oversee the underwriting strategy and guidelines for all short-term insurance products.
• Manage, mentor, and develop a team of underwriters, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Monitor underwriting performance, profitability, and adherence to risk appetite across the portfolio.
• Conduct market analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and competitive threats.
• Collaborate with product development teams to innovate and launch new short-term insurance products.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements and internal policies.
• Work closely with actuarial and finance teams on pricing, reserving, and capital management.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key brokers and distribution partners.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the underwriting function.

Requirements

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in short-term insurance underwriting, with at least 3 years in a management or leadership role.
• A relevant tertiary qualification in Insurance, Finance, Business, or a related field. Relevant professional underwriting qualifications are highly desirable.
• In-depth knowledge of various short-term insurance lines (e.g., Commercial, Personal, Marine, Engineering).
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to motivate and manage a remote team effectively.
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical, and decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage profitability and growth within an underwriting portfolio.
• Proficiency in underwriting systems and data analysis tools.
• Experience working effectively in a remote team setting.

Benefits

This is a fully remote position, offering unparalleled flexibility and the ability to work from your preferred location within South Africa. Our client offers a highly competitive executive salary, a significant performance-based bonus, and excellent long-term incentives. Comprehensive executive medical aid, a robust provident fund, and generous leave benefits are provided. Opportunities for executive leadership development and participation in strategic decision-making are extensive. You will lead a critical function within an innovative and growing insurance company, shaping its future success.