Insurance Underwriting Manager

Placements24; Kempton Park; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Medical aid

Provident fund

Career growth opportunities

Leadership development training

On-site at Tembisa

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an experienced Insurance Underwriting Manager to lead and shape underwriting strategy in Tembisa, Gauteng. You will guide a team of underwriters, review high-value risks, and align underwriting with sales and actuarial objectives to drive profitable growth.

The role demands strong leadership, regulatory knowledge, and the ability to translate business goals into actionable underwriting plans.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years in insurance underwriting with 3+ years in a leadership role.
• Deep knowledge of underwriting principles, risk assessment, and pricing strategies.
• Proven ability to mentor teams and align underwriting with business goals.
• Strong communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the underwriting team, providing coaching and career development.
• Develop and implement underwriting policies to ensure profitable risk selection.
• Analyze market trends and data to identify opportunities and risks.
• Review high-value risks and collaborate with sales, claims, and actuarial teams.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and maintain internal controls.
• Drive performance metrics and continuous improvement in underwriting.

Skills

Leadership

Risk assessment

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Analytical

Education

ACII/ANZIIF designation or Finance/Risk degree

Tools

Underwriting systems

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a well-established insurer, is seeking an experienced and strategic Insurance Underwriting Manager to lead their team in Tembisa, Gauteng . This leadership position is central to developing and executing underwriting strategies that support profitable growth while managing risk effectively. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of the insurance market, strong analytical capabilities, and the ability to inspire and guide a team of underwriters. This role is crucial for maintaining the company's competitive edge and ensuring sound risk selection across all product lines. As this is a vital leadership role requiring direct team oversight and client interaction, it is based on-site at our offices in Tembisa, Gauteng .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and oversee underwriting policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure consistent and profitable underwriting practices.
• Manage and mentor the underwriting team, providing training, performance feedback, and career development support.
• Analyze market trends, competitor activities, and industry data to identify new opportunities and potential risks.
• Review and approve complex or high-value risks that fall outside standard underwriting authority.
• Collaborate closely with sales, claims, and actuarial departments to align underwriting strategies with overall business objectives.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements and internal controls.
• Monitor underwriting performance metrics, identify areas for improvement, and implement corrective actions.
• Foster strong relationships with brokers and agents, providing expertise and support on underwriting matters.
• Contribute to the development and launch of new insurance products.
• Proactively identify and manage potential sources of underwriting loss.

Requirements

• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in insurance underwriting, with at least 3 years in a management or supervisory role.
• Demonstrated expertise in underwriting principles, risk assessment, and pricing strategies for various insurance products (e.g., Commercial, Personal Lines).
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with a proven ability to motivate and develop talent.
• Excellent analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving abilities.
• In-depth knowledge of the South African insurance market and regulatory landscape.
• A relevant professional designation (e.g., ACII, ANZIIF) or a degree in Finance, Risk Management, or a related field is highly preferred.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in underwriting support systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strategic thinking and the ability to translate business goals into actionable underwriting plans.

Benefits

• An attractive annual salary of up to ZAR, dependent on experience.
• Performance-related bonus structure.
• Comprehensive medical aid and provident fund benefits.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
• A dynamic and challenging work environment within a reputable insurance company.
• Regular performance reviews and clear career progression pathways.
• Located at our key hub in Tembisa, Gauteng .
• Company‑provided training and resources.