Actuarial Analyst - CEO's Office

Discovery Limited; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Discovery Limited is seeking an Actuarial Analyst in the CEO's Office to deliver rigorous analysis and strategic insight for executive decision making. You will support the CEO and senior leaders with data‑driven input, governance briefs, and cross‑functional collaboration.

You will develop dashboards, assist with business cases, and strengthen profitability monitoring through portfolio reviews while ensuring models align with professional standards and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Strong actuarial modelling and analytical capabilities.
• Proficiency in SAS, SQL, R, Python and related analytics tools.
• Excellent data interpretation and financial analysis skills.
• Understanding of underwriting, pricing, reserving and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic advisory and executive support for Exco discussions.
• Develop dashboards and insight packs for governance forums.
• Coordinate initiatives across actuarial, underwriting, finance and risk.
• Analyze trends in claims, growth and profitability to inform decisions.
• Lead cross‑functional projects and report milestones to executives.

Skills

Actuarial modelling

Data analytics

Financial analysis

Underwriting principles

Pricing & reserving

Risk management

Engagement with senior leaders

Education

Matric

Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science

Progress with actuarial exams (ASSA/IFoA)

Tools

SAS

SQL

R

Python

Emblem

Radar

Power BI

Job description

About Discovery
Discovery’s core purpose is to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives. We seek out and invest in exceptional individuals who understand and support our core purpose, and whose own values align with those of Discovery. Our fast-paced and dynamic environment enables smart, self-driven people to be their best. As global thought leaders, Discovery is passionate about innovating in order to not only achieve financial success, but to ignite positive and meaningful change within our society.

Discovery – Insure

Actuarial Analyst - CEO's Office

About Discovery

Discovery’s core purpose is to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives. We seek out and invest in exceptional individuals who understand and support our core purpose, and whose own values align with those of Discovery. Our fast-paced and dynamic environment enables smart, self-driven people to be their best. As global thought leaders, Discovery is passionate about innovating in order to not only achieve financial success, but to ignite positive and meaningful change within our society.
Discovery Insure is committed to creating a nation of great drivers through our innovative Shared-value Insurance model. Discovery Insure is South Africa’s fastest growing short-term insurance company with comprehensive products that provide protection against current and emerging risks facing clients in the motor and home insurance sectors. Vitality Drive, an internationally-recognised and award-winning programme, is a key differentiator in the market that incentivises and rewards clients for driving well. The Vitality Drive programme has been scaled to local and international markets which now include Europe and the Middle East. The company employs over 1 000 people who are committed to putting our customers and financial advisers first by providing unique and innovative solutions and cover.

Key Purpose
The Actuarial Analyst is a high ‑ impact role within the office of the CEO reporting to the Executive Associate of Discovery Insure, working at the centre of executive decision ‑ making. The role supports the CEO, Executive Associate and Senior leaders to deliver rigorous analysis, structured problem ‑ solving, and execution across priority strategic initiatives. The Actuarial Analyst combines strong analytical capability with operational support and sound business judgement to inform decision making, shape business performance and drive strategic initiatives.

Areas of responsibility may include but are not limited to:
Strategic Advisory & Executive Support

• Generate data ‑ driven insights and scenario analyses as input into strategic recommendations for Exco discussions.
• Prepare executive briefs, board papers, presentations, and analytical reports.
• Coordinate strategic initiatives across actuarial, underwriting, finance, risk, and operations teams.

Actuarial Analytics & Technical Expertise

• Develop dashboards and insight packs used in executive and governance forums.
• Support evaluation of strategic initiatives and business cases.
• Strengthen profitability monitoring through portfolio reviews and performance dashboards.
• Ensure actuarial models are accurate, updated, and aligned with professional standards.

Business Performance & Insights

• Analyse trends across claims, underwriting, growth, and retention.
• Identify improvement opportunities and help design interventions with business units.
• Provide insights on market movements, emerging risks, and competitor behaviour.

Project Management & Delivery

• Lead or assist with cross-functional projects (e.g., product development, digital transformation, pricing system upgrades).
• Track project milestones, risks, and outcomes and provide regular updates to the Executive.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Liaise with actuarial teams, data science, underwriting, finance, and risk departments.
• Support communication between the Executive Associate, the Discovery Insure executive committee, senior leaders and other stakeholders including regulators, auditors, and industry bodies.

Knowledge And Skills
Discovery Insure’s Actuarial Analysts must be exceptional. They must demonstrate:

• Strong actuarial modelling and analytical capabilities.
• Proficiency in actuarial tools and analytics software (e.g., SAS, SQL, R, Python, Emblem, Radar, Power BI).
• Excellent data interpretation and financial analysis skills.
• Understanding of underwriting principles, claims behaviour, and insurance product structures.
• Experience in pricing, reserving, capital modelling, or risk management - Advantageous.
• Exposure to regulatory frameworks (SAM, IFRS 17) - Advantageous.
• Experience working directly with senior leadership - Advantageous.

Education And Experience
Education:

• Matric (Essential)
• Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science or related quantitative field.
• Good exam progress or a nearly qualified Actuary (e.g., ASSA, IFoA).

Minimum Experience

• Consulting experience with a top tier consulting firm such as McKinsey, Bain, BCG etc. preferable.
• Minimum 4 years strong analytical or business focus, and a proven record of academic excellence. Extensive business and/or technical experience with a proven track record of innovation, entrepreneurship, delivery and performance across multidisciplinary areas and projects.
• Experience in actuarial, consulting, strategy, analytics, or commercial roles within financial services is advantageous.

EMPLOYMENT EQUITY

The Company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.