Head: Complex Commercial Underwriting

Hollard Insurance; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Hollard Insurance Company in Johannesburg is seeking a Head of Complex Commercial Underwriting to lead strategic direction across Property, Liability, Engineering and other large commercial risks. You will shape underwriting strategy, strengthen portfolio performance and safeguard risk appetite for sustainable growth.

Reporting to the Executive Head: Commercial & Personal with a dotted line to the CUO, you will build a high‑performing team, set underwriting standards, and partner with actuarial,

Responsibilities

• Leading the Complex Commercial underwriting strategy across Property, Liability, Engineering and other large commercial risks.
• Turning strategy into clear portfolio plans, underwriting priorities and team deliverables.
• Driving profitable growth against loss ratio, expense ratio, COR and return-on-capital targets.
• Setting strong underwriting standards across risk selection, pricing, authorities, referrals and governance.
• Building trusted broker and client relationships, while partnering with actuarial, claims, reinsurance, pricing and data teams.
• Leading portfolio improvements and developing a high-performing team that values accountability, technical excellence and continuous improvement.

Job description

We're looking for a Head of Complex Commercial Underwriting.

Reporting to the Executive Head: Commercial & Personal, with a dotted reporting line to the Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO), this role provides strategic leadership, technical underwriting direction, and portfolio stewardship across Hollard Insure's largest and most complex commercial risks.

You'll play a pivotal role in shaping underwriting strategy, strengthening portfolio performance, safeguarding risk appetite, and ensuring sustainable profitable growth across the business. What you'll be trusted to own

This is more than a senior underwriting leadership role.

It's about setting the direction for complex commercial underwriting, balancing distribution ambitions with underwriting discipline, and ensuring every decision supports sustainable growth, profitability, and long-term portfolio resilience.

You’ll Make Your Mark By

• Leading the Complex Commercial underwriting strategy across Property, Liability, Engineering and other large commercial risks.
• Turning strategy into clear portfolio plans, underwriting priorities and team deliverables.
• Driving profitable growth against loss ratio, expense ratio, COR and return-on-capital targets.
• Setting strong underwriting standards across risk selection, pricing, authorities, referrals and governance.
• Building trusted broker and client relationships, while partnering with actuarial, claims, reinsurance, pricing and data teams.
• Leading portfolio improvements and developing a high-performing team that values accountability, technical excellence and continuous improvement.