Lead Insurance Underwriter

Placements24; Kempton Park; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Bonuses

Career advancement

Training programs

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead Insurance Underwriter to head a Gauteng-based team in Tembisa. You will architect underwriting strategies, set guidelines, and drive profitable growth while coordinating with sales, actuarial, and claims teams.

You will mentor staff, review complex submissions, and ensure regulatory compliance in a high-stakes market. This role demands leadership, market insight, and strong communication within a senior insurer setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Actuarial Science, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum 8 years in insurance underwriting with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Expertise in underwriting principles, risk assessment, and pricing across various insurance lines.
• Strong analytical, quantitative, and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal abilities.
• Proficiency in underwriting software and standard office applications.
• Understanding of the South African insurance market and regulatory framework.
• Professional designations such as ACII, FLMI, or equivalent are highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of insurance underwriters, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Develop and implement underwriting guidelines, policies, and procedures to manage risk effectively.
• Review and approve complex underwriting submissions, ensuring profitability and compliance.
• Analyze market trends, competitor activities, and economic conditions to inform underwriting strategies.
• Collaborate with sales, actuarial, and claims departments to ensure alignment and achieve business objectives.
• Conduct regular audits of underwriting files to ensure quality and consistency.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with brokers and agents, providing expert underwriting support.
• Identify opportunities for new product development or enhancement based on market insights.
• Contribute to the overall strategic planning and decision-making of the underwriting division in Tembisa.
• Ensure adherence to all regulatory requirements and internal controls related to underwriting in Gauteng.

Skills

Leadership

Risk assessment

Pricing methodologies

Analytical skills

Communication

Underwriting software

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Actuarial Science, Business Administration, or related field

ACII or FLMI designation preferred

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Lead Insurance Underwriter to join their established team in Tembisa, Gauteng. This senior position requires a strategic thinker with a comprehensive understanding of risk assessment and underwriting principles within the insurance industry. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading a team of underwriters, developing underwriting strategies, and ensuring the profitable growth of the company's insurance portfolio. This role is based at our client's central Tembisa office and requires a dedicated professional committed to upholding the highest standards of underwriting excellence. Join a respected organisation in Gauteng, ZA that values expertise and contributes significantly to the local insurance landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of insurance underwriters, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Develop and implement underwriting guidelines, policies, and procedures to manage risk effectively.
• Review and approve complex underwriting submissions, ensuring profitability and compliance.
• Analyze market trends, competitor activities, and economic conditions to inform underwriting strategies.
• Collaborate with sales, actuarial, and claims departments to ensure alignment and achieve business objectives.
• Conduct regular audits of underwriting files to ensure quality and consistency.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with brokers and agents, providing expert underwriting support.
• Identify opportunities for new product development or enhancement based on market insights.
• Contribute to the overall strategic planning and decision-making of the underwriting division in Tembisa.
• Ensure adherence to all regulatory requirements and internal controls related to underwriting in Gauteng.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Actuarial Science, Business Administration, or a related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in insurance underwriting, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Demonstrated expertise in underwriting principles, risk assessment, and pricing methodologies across various insurance lines.
• Strong analytical, quantitative, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal abilities.
• Proficiency in underwriting software and standard office applications.
• Ability to interpret complex financial data and actuarial reports.
• A strong understanding of the South African insurance market and regulatory framework.
• Professional designations such as ACII, FLMI, or equivalent are highly preferred.
• Commitment to working full-time at our Tembisa office.

Benefits

• An attractive annual salary of ZAR .
• Generous performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement benefits.
• Significant opportunities for career advancement and professional development.
• A stimulating work environment within a respected insurance firm.
• Company-provided training and development programs.
• Be a key player in shaping underwriting strategies for the Gauteng region and beyond.
• Contribute to the stability and growth of the South African insurance sector.