Executive Head: Underwriting, Legal Risk & Regulatory

Sanlam Limited; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 1 200 000 - 1 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance firm is looking for an Executive Head: Underwriting, Legal Risk & Regulatory in Sandton, Gauteng. This role requires a minimum of 15 years in related positions with extensive experience in underwriting and risk management. The ideal candidate will provide strategic leadership, ensure adherence to governance, and support claims teams in managing complex claims. Strong relationships with brokers and excellent communication skills are essential for success in this high-level position.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years in a similar role – CUO type roles, active underwriter roles, legal counsel and claims oversight roles.
• Broad multi-class specialist risks experience is a requirement.
• Reinsurance strategy, contracting and placement experience, in relation to specialist risks is a requirement.

Responsibilities

• Provide sustainable strategic input to contribute to financial health through sound governance practices.
• Ensure adherence to underwriting governance and authorities.
• Provide technical & strategic input and guidance to Claims Teams on large/complex claims.

Skills

Leadership skills

Excellent writing and communication skills

Underwriting Governance

Risk management

Education

Business degree and/or Legal Degree

Job description

Executive Head: Underwriting, Legal Risk & Regulatory

Location: Sandton, Gauteng, ZA

What will you do?

We have an exciting opportunity for an Executive Head: Underwriting, Legal Risk & Regulatory within Santam Specialist Solutions.

What will make you successful in this role?

Key responsibilities:

Strategic Management:

• Provide sustainable strategic input for your relevant business area that will contribute to the financial health of the organisation through sound governance practices.
• Provide detailed analysis and reporting on the Technical and Governance Areas.
• Actively seek ways to keep competitive advantage in the market.
• Encourage cross-selling initiatives within Specialist Business by helping underwriters identify opportunities
• Develop a Sustainable Risk Management Initiative that assists the underwriting & claims team and clients
• Monitor and report on cover trends and developments and the potential impact on the business.

Technical Underwriting:

• Provide oversight, input and coordination into all UW and RI commercial related matters, across SSS portfolio.
• Promote ‘best practice’ underwriting process to minimise underwriting operational risk
• General Technical support to Lines of Business
• Ensure adherence to underwriting governance and underwriting authorities.
• Research and Development on new products as required

Claims:

• Provide technical & strategic input and guidance to Claims Teams on large/complex claims related matters
• Monitor for possible aggregation across lines of business

Legal, Governance, Assurance and Risk Management:

• Co-operation with Group Shared Services in relation to information management and content of Treaty Agreements
• Overseeing the Coordinating and collating of audit feedback for business
• Adherence to the Santam Internal Control policy by implementing an effective system of internal control
• Implement an effective approach to the identification, assessment, monitoring, management and reporting of relevant operational risk exposures
• Drive a risk-aware and strong governance culture within SSS
• Alignment of our RI treaties within SSS to the group risk appetite strategy & direction
• Ensure reinsurance protection in close liaison with SSS Clusters that quantitatively and qualitatively supports underwriting operations
• Manage the QS arrangement with Syndicate 1918
• Promote solutions to minimise Risk of exposure to loss aggregation in conjunction with Lines of Business
• Produce and distribute Treaty overview across SSS

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 15 years in a similar role – CUO type roles, active underwriter roles, legal counsel and claims oversight roles
• Broad multi-class specialist risks experience is a requirement
• Reinsurance strategy, contracting and placement experience, in relation to specialist risks is a requirement
• Business degree and / or Legal Degree
• Proven leadership skills and experience
• Established relationships with key persons in the large global & SA National brokers is a requirement
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Underwriting Governance, Oversight & Product Solutions, Enablement and Portfolio Performance Management: RI Capacity & Policy Wordings