Head of Financial Reporting Quants

Pathfinders Consulting Pty (Ltd); Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in the insurance sector is seeking a Head of Quantitative Financial Reporting. This pivotal leadership role combines actuarial expertise with financial reporting and cross-functional collaboration. The successful candidate will oversee IFRS 17 delivery, ensuring compliance and supporting strategic financial decisions. You will lead a small team, enhance reporting processes, and engage with stakeholders to communicate complex financial information. If you are an analytical leader with a passion for innovation and excellence, this is your chance to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years in life insurance reporting with proven IFRS 17 expertise.
• 3+ years of people management experience in actuarial teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead IFRS 17 reporting processes and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Manage a team of senior actuarial analysts and drive talent development.

Skills

Leadership and strategic thinking

Strong analytical skills

Actuarial modeling

Communication skills

Stakeholder influence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science

Fellow of the Actuarial Society of South Africa (FASSA)

Tools

Prophet

Aptitude

SQL

Job description

Our client, a market leader in the insurance sector, is seeking a Head: Quantitative Financial Reporting to oversee the end-to-end IFRS 17. This is a pivotal leadership role combining actuarial expertise, financial reporting, and cross-functional collaboration with finance, balance sheet management, audit, and external stakeholders.

This role requires a highly analytical and experienced actuarial leader to drive IFRS 17 delivery, ensure regulatory compliance, and support strategic financial decision-making across the group.

IFRS 17 Reporting and Governance

1. Lead the development, delivery, and enhancement of IFRS 17 reporting processes, systems, and standards.
2. Drive the quarterly, bi-annual, and annual reporting cycles for Guardrisk Life and its international counterpart.
3. Ensure accurate modeling, disclosure, and compliance in financial statements.
4. Liaise with external auditors for sign-off and regulatory alignment.
5. Oversee actuarial data integration and system inputs across Prophet, Aptitude, and SQL.

Strategic and Cross-Functional Collaboration

1. Provide insights on IFRS 17 impact across financial planning, new business, and acquisition initiatives.
2. Lead submissions to audit and actuarial committees at Guardrisk and Momentum Group levels.
3. Collaborate with Finance, Data, and Balance Sheet Management teams to improve workflows and reduce manual processing.
4. Contribute to the group’s policy development, risk governance, and compliance execution.

Leadership and Team Development

1. Manage a small team of senior actuarial analysts.
2. Drive talent development, performance management, and knowledge transfer.
3. Cultivate a high-performance team culture focused on innovation, accountability, and excellence.
4. Lead hiring efforts and foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Process Improvement and Automation

1. Enhance IFRS 17 automation and process efficiency using system-driven solutions.
2. Monitor and improve reporting tools and controls.
3. Identify areas for risk mitigation and continuous improvement.
4. Support strategic investments in tools and actuarial systems.

Stakeholder Engagement

1. Communicate complex actuarial and financial information to executive leadership, regulators, and clients.
2. Build and maintain trusted relationships across Guardrisk and Momentum stakeholder networks.
3. Guide client-facing teams on IFRS 17 implications and reporting transparency.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science.
2. Fellow of the Actuarial Society of South Africa (FASSA).
3. 5 to 10 years in life insurance reporting.
4. 3+ years of people management experience.
5. Proven IFRS 17 implementation and reporting expertise.
6. Strong actuarial modeling experience (Prophet, Aptitude, SQL).
7. Familiarity with regulatory and group consolidation reporting.

Core Competencies

1. Leadership and strategic thinking.
2. Strong analytical, modeling, and communication skills.
3. Ability to navigate ambiguity and complexity in financial frameworks.
4. Resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
5. Stakeholder influence and collaboration.