Lead Underwriter - Commercial Lines

Placements24; George; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Health insurance

Retirement fund contributions

Professional development and global/tr

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an accomplished Lead Underwriter to head the commercial lines division in George, Western Cape. You will lead a team of underwriters, mentor staff, and drive underwriting strategies for complex risks while ensuring adherence to risk appetite.

You will shape portfolio performance, collaborate with brokers, and deliver training to internal staff and external partners in George. This senior role emphasizes leadership, strategic risk management, and market competitiveness.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in commercial lines underwriting with leadership experience.
• ACII/FLMI or Finance/Risk degree or equivalent.
• Proven track record underwriting large and complex risks.
• Strong leadership, communication and mentoring abilities.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite a portfolio of complex commercial risks to drive profitable growth.
• Lead and mentor a team of commercial lines underwriters; provide technical guidance.
• Develop and implement underwriting guidelines and strategies.
• Analyze market trends and competitor actions to identify opportunities and challenges.
• Collaborate with brokers to understand client needs and provide underwriting advice.
• Review and approve team decisions; provide training as needed.
• Deliver underwriting training programs in George for staff and partners.
• Monitor profitability and risk appetite of the portfolio; adjust pricing where needed.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Negotiation

Mentoring

Underwriting

Education

ACII/FLMI or Finance/Risk degree

Finance or Risk Management related degree

Tools

Underwriting systems

Data analysis tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the insurance industry, is seeking an accomplished Lead Underwriter to spearhead their commercial lines division in George, Western Cape. This senior position demands extensive expertise in underwriting complex commercial risks, driving profitable growth, and developing strategic underwriting approaches. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading a team of underwriters, mentoring junior staff, and ensuring the consistent application of underwriting guidelines and risk appetite. This is a critical role based in George that offers the chance to shape the future of our client's commercial insurance portfolio in the Western Cape region and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Underwrite a portfolio of complex commercial insurance risks, including property, casualty, and specialty lines, ensuring profitable growth and adherence to risk appetite.
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of commercial lines underwriters, fostering a high-performance culture and providing technical guidance.
• Develop and implement underwriting strategies, guidelines, and best practices to optimize portfolio performance and market competitiveness.
• Analyze market trends, competitor activities, and economic conditions to identify opportunities and challenges.
• Collaborate with brokers and agents to build strong relationships, understand their needs, and provide expert underwriting advice.
• Review and approve underwriting decisions made by the team, providing training and support as needed.
• Develop and deliver underwriting training programs to internal staff and external partners in George.
• Monitor the profitability and adequacy of the commercial lines portfolio, recommending adjustments to pricing, terms, and conditions.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements and internal policies.

Requirements

• A minimum of 8 years of experience in commercial lines underwriting, with a significant portion in a leadership or senior capacity.
• A relevant professional qualification (e.g., ACII, FLMI) or a degree in Finance, Risk Management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success in underwriting large and complex commercial risks.
• Strong understanding of financial statements, business operations, and risk management principles.
• Excellent leadership, team management, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to develop and execute successful underwriting strategies in the Western Cape market.
• Proficiency in underwriting systems and data analysis tools.
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills with brokers and internal stakeholders.
• Residency or willingness to relocate to George.

Benefits

• An attractive salary package reflecting the seniority of the role.
• Potential for significant performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement fund contributions.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development and international travel.
• A dynamic and growth-oriented work environment in George.
• Relocation assistance may be provided.