Lead Underwriter - Property Insurance

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based annual bonus

Medical aid & retirement fund

Generous annual leave

Professional development & training

Gym membership

Company car / travel allowance

Access to analytical tools

Dynamic, collaborative environment in

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly experienced Lead Underwriter to oversee property insurance portfolios in Cape Town, Western Cape. The role combines in-office collaboration with remote flexibility, focusing on underwriting strategy, risk appetite, and profitable growth.

You will lead a team of underwriters, offering mentorship to drive professional development. The ideal candidate brings 7+ years in property underwriting, including 3 years in leadership, with strong risk assessment and

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in property insurance underwriting, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing underwriting strategies.
• Strong understanding of property risk assessment, including catastrophe modeling and exposure analysis.
• Excellent analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and refine underwriting strategies and guidelines for property insurance products.
• Assess and underwrite complex property risks, ensuring adherence to risk appetite and financial objectives.
• Analyze market trends, regulator changes, and competitor activities to identify opportunities and threats.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of property underwriters, fostering high performance and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to support business development and product competitiveness.
• Review and approve large or complex risks, providing technical guidance.

Skills

Property underwriting

Leadership

Risk assessment

Stakeholder influence

Analytical thinking

Education

Finance/Economics/Risk Management degree

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced and strategic Lead Underwriter to oversee property insurance portfolios in the vibrant city of Cape Town, Western Cape. This hybrid role offers a blend of in-office collaboration and remote flexibility, allowing you to contribute effectively to our client's success. As a Lead Underwriter, you will be instrumental in developing and executing underwriting strategies, managing risk appetite, and ensuring the profitable growth of our property insurance products. You will lead a team of talented underwriters, providing mentorship and guidance to foster their professional development. This position requires a deep understanding of the insurance market, risk assessment, and financial acumen, coupled with strong leadership qualities. The successful candidate will be pivotal in shaping our client's underwriting policies and contributing to their continued expansion within the South African market.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and refine underwriting strategies and guidelines for property insurance products.
• Assess and underwrite complex property risks, ensuring adherence to the company's risk appetite and financial objectives.
• Analyze market trends, competitor activities, and regulatory changes to identify opportunities and potential threats.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of property underwriters, fostering a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to support business development initiatives and ensure product competitiveness.
• Review and approve large or complex risks, providing technical expertise and guidance.
• Monitor portfolio performance, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with brokers, agents, and other distribution partners.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant insurance regulations and internal policies.
• Contribute to the development of new insurance products and services tailored to the Cape Town market.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in property insurance underwriting, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Proven track record of success in developing and implementing underwriting strategies.
• Strong understanding of property risk assessment, including catastrophe modeling and exposure analysis.
• Excellent analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional leadership and team management abilities.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders.
• A relevant tertiary qualification in finance, economics, risk management, or a related field is required.
• Professional designation such as ACII or equivalent is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with the South African insurance market and regulatory environment.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid work model, balancing office and remote responsibilities in Cape Town.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package.
• Performance-based annual bonus.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund contributions.
• Generous annual leave allowance.
• Opportunities for further professional development and international training.
• Subsidized gym membership.
• Company car or travel allowance.
• Access to cutting-edge analytical tools and data resources.
• A dynamic and collaborative work environment in Cape Town.