Insurance Underwriting Manager

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with incentives

Hybrid work arrangement

Comprehensive health insurance

Retirement plan with employer match

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban seeks an Insurance Underwriting Manager to lead a high-performing team and optimise risk-based decisions. The role blends in-office collaboration with remote work in a hybrid setup, emphasizing policy development and profitability.

The ideal candidate will guide underwriting processes, review complex applications, analyze data for improvements, and ensure compliance while partnering with sales and claims for a superior client experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Risk Management or related field.
• Minimum 7 years in insurance underwriting with 3 years in leadership.
• Proven profitability in underwriting and sound decision-making.
• Knowledge of property, casualty and liability insurance risks.
• Eligible to work in Durban and travel as needed.
• CIP/ACII qualifications are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the underwriting team with development opportunities.
• Develop and enforce underwriting policies to ensure profitability.
• Review and approve complex/high-value applications with risk-based decisions.
• Analyze performance data to identify trends and improvements.
• Collaborate with sales and claims for seamless client experience and risk control.
• Conduct market research to identify product opportunities.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and training of the team.
• Set underwriting authority levels and contribute to strategic planning.
• Drive business growth while maintaining risk discipline.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Data analysis

Risk assessment

Pricing methodologies

Underwriting software

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Finance/Risk Management

CIP/ACII qualifications advantageous

Tools

Underwriting software

Office applications

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a well-established and reputable insurance provider, is seeking a dynamic and experienced Insurance Underwriting Manager to lead their team in **Durban**. This role is central to the company's success, responsible for overseeing the underwriting process, ensuring profitable growth, and managing a team of skilled underwriters. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of risk assessment, pricing strategies, and the ability to develop and implement effective underwriting policies. This position offers a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the strategic direction of the company while managing operations in the beautiful coastal city of **Durban**. The role embraces a Hybrid work model, combining essential in-office collaboration with the flexibility of remote work. We are looking for a proactive leader with strong decision-making capabilities and a commitment to excellence. The successful applicant will be pivotal in maintaining the company's competitive edge and ensuring adherence to stringent risk management standards. This is an excellent opportunity for career progression within a supportive and growing organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and mentor the underwriting team, providing guidance and development opportunities.
• Develop, implement, and enforce underwriting policies and procedures to ensure consistency and profitability.
• Review and approve complex or high-value insurance applications, making sound risk-based decisions.
• Analyze underwriting performance data to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
• Collaborate with sales and claims departments to ensure seamless customer experience and effective risk management.
• Conduct market research to understand competitive landscape and identify new product opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and internal guidelines.
• Set underwriting authority levels and provide training to the team.
• Contribute to the overall strategic planning and product development of the company.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Risk Management, or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in insurance underwriting, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Proven track record of profitable underwriting results and sound decision-making.
• In-depth knowledge of various insurance products (e.g., property, casualty, liability) and their associated risks.
• Strong understanding of underwriting principles, risk assessment techniques, and pricing methodologies.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in underwriting software and standard office applications.
• Ability to analyze data and provide strategic insights.
• Relevant professional qualifications (e.g., CIP, ACII) are highly advantageous.
• Must be eligible to work in **Durban**.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive health insurance, including dental and vision coverage.
• Retirement savings plan with company matching contributions.
• Generous annual leave and holiday package.
• Opportunities for professional growth and advanced training.
• A supportive and collaborative team environment.
• Hybrid work arrangement for improved work-life integration.
• Employee wellness programs and benefits.
• Potential for international exposure within the group.