Durban Underwriting Manager — Hybrid Leadership for Growth

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Comprehensive medical coverage

Pension fund

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Underwriting Manager in Durban to lead a skilled underwriting team and drive the company’s underwriting strategy. You will shape pricing and risk assessment for a range of insurance products while ensuring profitability.

The role balances office collaboration with remote flexibility, offering leadership development and a platform to influence market strategies in KwaZulu-Natal.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Risk Management, or a related field; professional underwriting qualifications are advantageous.
• Minimum 6 years of progressive experience in insurance underwriting, with at least 2 years in a leadership/supervisory capacity.
• Comprehensive knowledge of underwriting principles, practices, and various insurance products (e.g., commercial and personal lines).
• Proven ability to assess and manage risk effectively.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement effective underwriting strategies aligned with company objectives and market conditions.
• Lead, mentor, and train a team of underwriters, ensuring high standards of risk selection and pricing accuracy.
• Oversee the underwriting process for various insurance products, managing risk exposure and profitability.
• Analyze market trends, competitor activities, and economic factors to inform underwriting decisions.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with brokers and agents.
• Set performance targets for the underwriting team and monitor progress.
• Ensure compliance with underwriting guidelines, regulatory requirements, and internal controls.
• Review and approve complex or high-value risks.
• Contribute to product development and pricing reviews.

Skills

Leadership and team management

Risk assessment

Pricing strategies

Market analysis

Decision making

Communication

Data analysis tools

Underwriting expertise

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Business/Risk Management

Tools

Underwriting software

Job description

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Underwriting Manager in Durban to lead a skilled underwriting team and drive the company’s underwriting strategy. You will shape pricing and risk assessment for a range of insurance products while ensuring profitability.

The role balances office collaboration with remote flexibility, offering leadership development and a platform to influence market strategies in KwaZulu-Natal.