Lead Underwriter - Remote

Placements24; George; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Retirement savings plan

Generous paid time off and holidays

Professional development and certs

Home office stipend and remote work技术

Flexible working hours

Exclusive employee discounts

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Underwriter who will head underwriting operations from a remote capacity, guiding a team and shaping strategies to drive profitable growth for the insurance portfolio. The role requires deep expertise in risk assessment, pricing, and regulatory compliance, with collaboration across actuaries, claims, and sales teams.

You will evaluate complex risks, ensure adherence to guidelines, and lead a remote team across multiple lines of business, while maintaining high

Qualifications

• A relevant degree in Finance, Actuarial Science, Risk Management, or related field.
• 7+ years in insurance underwriting with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
• Experience in underwriting multiple lines of business (Commercial, Personal Lines, Specialty).
• Strong understanding of risk assessment, pricing methodologies, and financial modeling.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of underwriters, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Develop underwriting strategies to achieve profitability and growth targets.
• Review and approve complex or high-value risks that exceed standard underwriting authority.
• Establish and maintain underwriting guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Analyze market trends, competitor activities, and industry data to inform underwriting decisions.
• Collaborate with actuaries, claims, and sales teams to ensure cohesive risk management.
• Conduct regular audits of underwriting files to ensure compliance and quality.
• Provide expert advice and training to underwriting staff and other departments.
• Manage relationships with brokers and intermediaries, acting as a key point of contact for underwriting matters.
• Stay abreast of regulatory changes and ensure all underwriting activities comply.

Skills

Leadership

Risk assessment

Pricing methodologies

Financial modeling

Communication

Autonomy

Multitasking

Education

Finance

Actuarial Science

Risk Management

Tools

Underwriting software

Data analysis tools

Job description

About the Role Our client is seeking an accomplished Lead Underwriter to spearhead their underwriting operations from a fully remote capacity. This pivotal role is ideal for an experienced professional who thrives in a remote-first environment and possesses a strategic vision for risk assessment. You will be responsible for guiding the underwriting team, developing sophisticated underwriting strategies, and ensuring the profitable growth of our insurance portfolio. The position is based remotely, offering unparalleled flexibility while requiring close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. Your expertise will be vital in evaluating complex risks, pricing policies accurately, and maintaining underwriting guidelines in line with market trends and regulatory requirements. If you are a leader with a passion for insurance and a proven track record in underwriting excellence, this remote opportunity in George, Western Cape, ZA is for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of underwriters, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Develop and implement underwriting strategies to achieve profitability and growth targets.
• Review and approve complex or high-value risks that exceed standard underwriting authority.
• Establish and maintain underwriting guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Analyze market trends, competitor activities, and industry data to inform underwriting decisions.
• Collaborate with actuaries, claims, and sales teams to ensure cohesive risk management.
• Conduct regular audits of underwriting files to ensure compliance and quality.
• Provide expert advice and training to underwriting staff and other departments.
• Manage relationships with brokers and intermediaries, acting as a key point of contact for underwriting matters.
• Stay abreast of regulatory changes and ensure all underwriting activities comply.

Requirements

• A relevant degree in Finance, Actuarial Science, Risk Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in insurance underwriting, with at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Demonstrated expertise in underwriting various lines of business (e.g., Commercial, Personal Lines, Specialty).
• Strong understanding of risk assessment, pricing methodologies, and financial modeling.
• Excellent leadership, team management, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in underwriting software and data analysis tools.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to communicate complex underwriting concepts effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Proven ability to work autonomously and manage multiple priorities in a remote setting.
• A strong commitment to ethical practices and regulatory compliance.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings plan with company contributions.
• Generous paid time off and holidays.
• Professional development opportunities and support for certifications.
• State-of-the-art remote work technology and home office stipend.
• Flexible working hours within a remote-first culture.
• Access to exclusive employee discounts.
• A supportive and collaborative virtual work environment.