Chief Underwriter: Strategy, Governance & Growth

Wesbank; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Job summary

FirstRand Group, a leading financial services group, seeks a Chief Underwriter to lead the underwriting division at FNB Life. You will shape risk assessment, governance, and sustainable growth, guiding senior stakeholders and reinsurers to ensure strong risk governance and profitable expansion.

You will drive strategic leadership, mentorship, and technical excellence, partnering with actuarial, medical, product, and distribution teams to deliver superior customer outcomes in a dynamic

Qualifications

• Minimum qualification: Matric.
• Experience: 10+ years in life insurance underwriting including leading teams.
• Experience engaging with reinsurers and managing underwriting governance frameworks.
• Ability to influence business strategy and support organisational growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead underwriting governance, risk selection, and governance frameworks across the business.
• Develop and mentor a high-performing underwriting function to deliver customer and business outcomes.
• Drive underwriting innovation and modernisation to improve efficiency and risk management.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Risk assessment

Stakeholder management

People leadership

Education

Matric

Bachelor’s degree

Postgraduate qualification

Job description

FirstRand Group, a leading financial services group, seeks a Chief Underwriter to lead the underwriting division at FNB Life. You will shape risk assessment, governance, and sustainable growth, guiding senior stakeholders and reinsurers to ensure strong risk governance and profitable expansion.

You will drive strategic leadership, mentorship, and technical excellence, partnering with actuarial, medical, product, and distribution teams to deliver superior customer outcomes in a dynamic