Chief Underwriting Officer

Placements24; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive compensation package

Health benefits and retirement support

Relocation assistance (if applicable)

Professional development and industry-

Leadership engagement with senior team

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Chief Underwriting Officer for an esteemed insurance group based in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. The CUO will set underwriting policies, guide teams, and drive profitable growth while meticulously managing risk across all product lines.

The role demands extensive underwriting experience, strong leadership, and a deep understanding of risk assessment. This is a senior, office-based leadership position with strategic impact and relocation considerations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Insurance, or a related field.
• MBA or relevant professional designation is highly desirable.
• 10–15 years of progressive experience in underwriting, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive underwriting strategies and policies to achieve profitable growth and manage risk exposure.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the underwriting teams across all business segments.
• Oversee the underwriting process, ensuring consistency, adherence to guidelines, and optimal risk selection.
• Monitor underwriting performance, profitability, and key performance indicators, making data-driven adjustments as needed.
• Collaborate with actuarial, claims, product development, and sales departments to ensure cohesive business strategies.
• Set underwriting appetite and tolerance levels for various risks and markets.
• Stay abreast of market trends, competitive landscape, and regulatory changes impacting underwriting.
• Represent the company in industry forums and build strong relationships with reinsurers and brokers.
• Drive innovation in underwriting processes and tools, including the adoption of new technologies.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and internal controls.

Skills

Leadership

Underwriting expertise

Risk management

Data analytics

Negotiation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree (Business / Finance / Insurance)

MBA or professional designation

Tools

Underwriting systems

Data analytics tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a highly respected insurance group in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape , is looking for an accomplished and visionary Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO) to lead their underwriting functions. This is a senior, office-based leadership position critical to the company's profitability and risk management strategy. The CUO will be responsible for setting underwriting policies, guiding underwriting teams, and ensuring the profitable growth of the business by meticulously managing risk exposure across all product lines. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in underwriting, a deep understanding of risk assessment, and exceptional leadership capabilities. This is an unparalleled opportunity to drive strategic direction within a significant insurance entity based in the coastal city of Port Elizabeth .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive underwriting strategies and policies to achieve profitable growth and manage risk exposure.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the underwriting teams across all business segments.
• Oversee the underwriting process, ensuring consistency, adherence to guidelines, and optimal risk selection.
• Monitor underwriting performance, profitability, and key performance indicators, making data-driven adjustments as needed.
• Collaborate with actuarial, claims, product development, and sales departments to ensure cohesive business strategies.
• Set underwriting appetite and tolerance levels for various risks and markets.
• Stay abreast of market trends, competitive landscape, and regulatory changes impacting underwriting.
• Represent the company in industry forums and build strong relationships with reinsurers and brokers.
• Drive innovation in underwriting processes and tools, including the adoption of new technologies.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and internal controls.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Insurance, or a related field; an MBA or relevant professional designation is highly desirable.
• A minimum of 10-15 years of progressive experience in insurance underwriting, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role (e.g., Head of Underwriting, CUO).
• Proven expertise in underwriting complex risks across multiple lines of business (e.g., property, casualty, liability, marine).
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing profitable underwriting strategies.
• Strong understanding of risk management principles, reinsurance, and insurance market dynamics.
• Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent analytical, financial acumen, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience with underwriting systems and data analytics is essential.
• Deep knowledge of the South African insurance market and regulatory landscape.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive executive compensation package, including a substantial base salary, significant performance-based bonuses, and long-term incentives.
• Comprehensive executive health benefits, retirement planning assistance, and relocation support (if applicable) are provided.
• This role is office-based in Port Elizabeth , offering stability and direct engagement with a high-performing team.
• Opportunities for continued professional development and engagement with industry leaders are abundant.
• Join a prestigious insurance firm and play a pivotal role in its strategic success.