Head of Reinsurance

The Recruitment Council; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is seeking a Head of Reinsurance Department to oversee strategic initiatives in the Life Reinsurance sector. The role includes managing treaty placements, ensuring compliance, and advising on reinsurance structures. Ideal candidates will have a degree in Actuarial Science or Finance, extensive reinsurance knowledge, and at least 7 years of relevant experience. Strong negotiation, analytical, and team management skills are essential for success in this role based in Sandton, Gauteng.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in life insurance or reinsurance.
• Extensive knowledge of treaty, facultative, and excess of loss arrangements.
• Strong integrity and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead negotiations for reinsurance treaties and risk-sharing arrangements.
• Execute company reinsurance strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Advise executives on reinsurance structures and risk transfer options.
• Conduct profitability investigations for reinsurance portfolios.
• Manage performance and development of direct reports.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Relationship management

Analytical skills

Financial modeling

Team management

Education

Degree in Actuarial Science or Finance

Qualified Actuary

Job description

Job Specification Recap

Position : Head of Reinsurance Department : Life Reinsurance Overview : The role involves implementing strategic initiatives, making recommendations, managing treaty placements, and ensuring governance and compliance for reinsurance operations in South Africa and Mauritius.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead negotiations for reinsurance treaties and risk-sharing arrangements (structuring, pricing, terms).
• Execute company reinsurance strategy aligned with business objectives and risk appetite.
• Advise executives on reinsurance structures, market conditions, and risk transfer options.
• Conduct experience and profitability investigations for reinsurance / risk-sharing portfolios.
• Understand and meet client needs and priorities.
• Contribute to technical reinsurance management (e.g., monthly reporting, interpreting agreements).
• Build and maintain relationships with reinsurers and clients.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (actuarial, underwriting, claims, finance, legal, compliance, risk).
• Enforce policies, procedures, and controls for reinsurance activities.
• Manage performance and development of direct reports.

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Strong analytical, financial, and actuarial modeling skills.
• Strategic thinking with a balance of risk, growth, and cost.
• Team management and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• High integrity and decision-making skills.

Experience and Qualifications

• Degree in Actuarial Science, Finance, or related field.
• Qualified Actuary, CA, or equivalent qualification advantageous.
• Extensive knowledge of reinsurance arrangements (treaty, facultative, quota share, surplus, excess of loss).
• At least 7 years of relevant experience in life insurance / reinsurance.