Head of Actuarial Experience Investigations and Analytics

Old Mutual; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance company in Johannesburg seeks an experienced Actuarial Manager to drive strategic oversight and execution of experience analyses for retail protection products. The ideal candidate will lead a team, utilize advanced analytics, and ensure compliance with internal policies while collaborating closely across various business units. This role requires a qualified actuary with extensive experience in pricing and valuation.

Qualifications

• Qualified Actuary with at least 8+ years of actuarial experience.
• Previous experience in experience investigations and bases setting is essential.
• Strong technical skills in data analysis and visualization tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a high performing actuarial analytics team.
• Oversee the analysis of mortality, morbidity, and persistency experience.
• Drive the development and implementation of best practice methodologies for experience investigations.
• Collaborate with the Valuation team to derive and justify best estimate assumptions.
• Support the Pricing and Product Development teams.
• Enhance data acquisition and streamline analytical processes.

Skills

Action Planning

Adaptive Thinking

Agile Project Management

Data Compilation

Financial Acumen

Identifying Customer Needs

Information Management

Insurance Product Management

Legal Practices

Negotiation

Risk Management

Workflow Management

Education

NQF Level 9 – Masters

Tools

Tableau

Power BI

SQL

R

Python

Job description

Let's Write Africa's Story Together!

Old Mutual is a firm believer in the African opportunity and our diverse talent reflects this.

Job Description

The Actuarial Value Management team is responsible for the Pricing, Reinsurance and Experience Investigations of new and existing retail protection propositions across the Retail Mass and Retail Affluent Segments in South Africa. Consultative support is also provided to our Africa Regions businesses.

This role is responsible for driving the strategic oversight, design and execution of experience analyses for the Retail Protection Portfolio. This role leads a team of actuarial professionals focused on deriving best estimate assumptions for the valuation and pricing of risk product as well as providing data-driven insights for decision-making. This role will also play a pivotal role in enhancing the analytical capabilities of the department, streamlining data processes, and delivering high quality regular monitoring of experience.

Reporting to the Head of Actuarial Value Management for the OMiX Protection Portfolio, this role will combine deep actuarial expertise with advanced analytics, business acumen, strong leadership and management skills. A proactive approach to investigation, a commitment to continuous improvement and the ability to clearly communicate complex findings to non-technical stakeholders are essential.

The role involves close collaboration with internal stakeholders across Valuation, Product Development, Pricing, Underwriting, and Reinsurance, as well as external stakeholders such as auditors and reinsurers.

Key Result Areas

• Lead and manage a high performing actuarial analytics team.
• Oversee the analysis of mortality, morbidity, and persistency experience across Old Mutual’s risk product portfolio.
• Drive the development and implementation of best practice methodologies for experience investigations.
• Collaborate with the Valuation team to derive and justify best estimate assumptions.
• Support the Pricing and Product Development teams with assumption inputs and experience insights.
• Engage with external stakeholders including auditors and reinsurers on assumption setting processes.
• Enhance data acquisition and streamline analytical processes to improve turnaround times and insight quality.
• Develop and maintain dashboards and reports using tools such as Tableau, Power BI, SQL, R, and Python.
• Lead strategic initiatives aligned with the business plan, including assumption reviews, climate risk assessments, and channel specific investigations.
• Ensure governance and compliance with internal policies and audit requirements.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience required

• Qualified Actuary with at least 8+ years of actuarial experience.
• Previous experience in experience investigations and bases setting is essential.
• Strong technical skills in data analysis and visualization tools (e.g. SQL, R, Python, Tableau, Power BI).
• Experience in valuation and pricing of protection products would be a distinct advantage.
• Proven leadership and team management experience.
• Strong business acumen and ability to influence decision making.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high quality outputs under pressure.
• Passion for innovation and continuous improvement in actuarial analytics.

Competencies

• Providing Insights – Ability to extract and communicate key insights from complex data.
• Developing Strategies – Strategic thinking and long-term planning.
• Pursuing Goals – Results driven with a focus on high performance.
• Empowering with Care – People leadership and team development.
• Embracing Change – Openness to innovation and new ideas.
• Making Decisions – Sound judgment and accountability.
• Challenging Ideas – Constructive critical thinking and problem solving.
• Taking Action – Proactive and execution focused.

Skills

Action Planning, Adaptive Thinking, Agile Project Management, Data Compilation, Data Controls, Executing Plans, Financial Acumen, Identifying Customer Needs, Information Management, Insurance Product Management, Insurance Sales, Legal Practices, Negotiation, Policies & Procedures, Risk Management, Workflow Management

Competencies

Balances Stakeholders Builds Effective Teams Builds Networks Business Insight Communicates Effectively Decision Quality Ensures Accountability Financial Acumen

Education

NQF Level 9 – Masters

Closing Date

09 August 2025 , 23:59

The appointment will be made from the designated group in line with the Employment Equity Plan of Old Mutual South Africa and the specific business unit in question.

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