Chief Underwriter & Risk Strategy Leader

FirstRand Life Assurance Ltd

Johannesburg

On-site

ZAR 2,500,000 - 3,500,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

FirstRand Life Assurance Ltd invites a seasoned Chief Underwriter to lead the underwriting division, shaping risk assessment and governance across the business. You will guide a high‑performing team and partner with actuarial, medical, risk, product, and distribution groups to support profitable growth.

This role requires strategic thinking, strong commercial acumen, and proven leadership in a complex financial services environment.

Qualifications

Minimum qualification matric.
Relevant Bachelor's degree; postgraduate qualification will be advantageous.
10+ years' life insurance underwriting experience including leading Underwriting teams.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership for underwriting governance across the business.
Lead and develop a high-performing underwriting function that delivers exceptional customer and business outcomes.
Drive underwriting innovation and modernisation to improve efficiency, customer experience, and risk management.
Partner with business, actuarial, medical, reinsurance, product, and distribution teams to support profitable growth.
Represent the organisation in engagements with reinsurers, industry bodies, and key stakeholders.
Provide expert oversight on complex underwriting decisions and emerging underwriting trends.
Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, governance frameworks, and risk management standards.
Develop future underwriting capability through mentorship, succession planning, and technical leadership.
Deliver insightful management information and underwriting analytics to support executive decision-making.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and customer-centricity.