Commercial Underwriter

Placements24; Mossel Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Professional development

Remote work flexibility

Travel to conferences

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Commercial Underwriter for a remote role based with occasional travel to Mossel Bay, Western Cape. You will evaluate and underwrite commercial insurance risks across property, casualty, and liability lines, shaping policy terms and pricing for diverse clients.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in commercial underwriting, strong analytical skills, and solid knowledge of SA market dynamics. A CIP or similar certification is desirable.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Risk Management, or a related field is required.
• Minimum 5 years of proven experience in commercial insurance underwriting.
• Solid understanding of commercial insurance products, market dynamics, and underwriting principles.
• Excellent analytical, risk assessment, and decision-making skills.
• Strong negotiation and communication abilities with stakeholders.
• Proficiency in underwriting software and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work independently with strong organizational skills; familiarity with SA market is essential.

Responsibilities

• Assess and underwrite commercial insurance applications, including property, casualty, and liability lines of business.
• Analyze financial statements, business operations, and risk exposures to determine policy terms, conditions, and pricing.
• Develop and maintain relationships with brokers and agents, delivering service and support.
• Ensure compliance with underwriting guidelines, regulatory requirements, and company policies.
• Identify opportunities for new business and retention of existing accounts.
• Collaborate with claims, legal, and risk control to ensure comprehensive risk management.
• Monitor portfolio performance and provide insights for strategic adjustments.
• Contribute to development and implementation of new underwriting products and strategies.

Skills

Analytical

Risk assessment

Decision making

Negotiation

Communication

Underwriting software

MS Office

Independent worker

SA market knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Risk Management, or related field

Tools

Underwriting software

Microsoft Office

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the insurance industry, is seeking an experienced and discerning Commercial Underwriter to join their expanding operations. This position, based remotely but requiring occasional travel to Mossel Bay, Western Cape , involves the critical task of evaluating and accepting commercial insurance risks. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of various business sectors and the unique risks they entail, combined with excellent analytical and decision-making capabilities. You will be responsible for developing profitable insurance solutions for a diverse client base, ensuring the company's growth and financial stability. This is an exciting opportunity to leverage your underwriting expertise in a flexible work environment while contributing to the success of a reputable insurance provider in the Western Cape .

Key Responsibilities

• Assess and underwrite commercial insurance applications, including property, casualty, and liability lines of business.
• Analyze financial statements, business operations, and risk exposures to determine policy terms, conditions, and pricing.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with brokers and agents, providing exceptional service and support.
• Ensure compliance with underwriting guidelines, regulatory requirements, and company policies.
• Identify opportunities for new business and retention of existing accounts.
• Collaborate with claims, legal, and risk control teams to ensure comprehensive risk management strategies.
• Monitor portfolio performance and provide insights for strategic adjustments.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of new underwriting products and strategies.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Risk Management, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of proven experience in commercial insurance underwriting.
• Solid understanding of commercial insurance products, market dynamics, and underwriting principles.
• Excellent analytical, risk assessment, and decision-making skills.
• Strong negotiation and communication abilities, with the capacity to build rapport with stakeholders.
• Proficiency in underwriting software and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work independently and manage a demanding workload effectively, demonstrating strong organizational skills.
• Familiarity with the South African commercial insurance landscape is essential.
• Professional certifications such as CIP or equivalent are highly desirable.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package with performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement plan options.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development and career progression.
• Flexible remote work arrangement with support for home office setup.
• Access to advanced underwriting tools and resources.
• A supportive team culture and collaborative work environment.
• Potential for travel to conferences and industry events.