Lead Underwriting Manager

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental coverage

Retirement fund

Life insurance

Generous paid time off

Professional development

Leadership training

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town is seeking a seasoned Lead Underwriting Manager to shape underwriting strategy, lead a skilled team, and drive profitable growth while maintaining sound risk selection in the South African market.

The ideal candidate brings 8+ years in insurance underwriting, strong leadership, and expertise across major lines (property, liability, marine, personal). You will implement guidelines, monitor performance, and ensure regulatory compliance in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years in insurance underwriting with 3+ in management.
• Experience across major lines: property, liability, marine, personal lines.
• Strong leadership, decision-making and strategic planning.
• Knowledge of SA insurance market and regulatory landscape.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the underwriting team to foster a high-performance culture.
• Develop and refine underwriting policies to ensure profitability and consistency.
• Set underwriting authority levels and monitor adherence to guidelines.
• Analyze market trends and portfolio performance to identify opportunities and risks.
• Collaborate with product, claims and sales to support business objectives.
• Oversee review and approval of complex insurance applications.
• Develop and manage underwriting budgets and KPIs.
• Conduct regular training to enhance staff skills.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and internal controls.
• Drive continuous improvement in underwriting processes.

Skills

Leadership

Underwriting

Risk assessment

Pricing

Financial analysis

Communication

Presentation

Team management

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Master's degree or professional designation (ACII/FLMI)

Tools

Underwriting software

Data analytics tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent and well-established insurance company, is looking for an experienced and strategic Lead Underwriting Manager to oversee their operations in the vibrant city of **Cape Town**. This senior position requires a proven leader with extensive knowledge of underwriting principles and practices within the insurance industry. You will be responsible for developing and implementing underwriting strategies, managing a team of skilled underwriters, and ensuring profitable growth while maintaining sound risk selection. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership qualities, a keen eye for detail, and a comprehensive understanding of various insurance lines. This is a key role within the organization, offering the chance to make a significant impact on the company's success in **Cape Town**.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage the underwriting team, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Develop, implement, and refine underwriting policies and guidelines to ensure consistency and profitability.
• Set underwriting authority levels and monitor adherence to established guidelines.
• Analyze market trends, competitor activities, and portfolio performance to identify opportunities and risks.
• Collaborate with product development, claims, and sales teams to ensure alignment and support business objectives.
• Oversee the review and approval of complex or high-value insurance applications.
• Develop and manage underwriting budgets and performance metrics.
• Conduct regular training sessions for the underwriting staff to enhance their skills and knowledge.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements and internal controls.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the underwriting function.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Insurance, or a related field.
• A Master's degree or relevant professional designation (e.g., ACII, FLMI) is highly preferred.
• 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 various lines of insurance (e.g., Commercial Property, Liability, Marine, Personal Lines).
• Strong understanding of risk assessment, pricing strategies, and financial analysis.
• Exceptional leadership, team management, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent analytical and decision-making abilities.
• Proficiency in underwriting systems and relevant software applications.
• In-depth knowledge of the **South African** insurance market and regulatory landscape.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to strategize and implement long-term plans for the underwriting department in **Cape Town**.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary package commensurate with experience, along with an attractive performance bonus. Benefits include comprehensive medical and dental coverage, a robust retirement fund, life insurance, and generous paid time off. Opportunities for professional development, industry conference attendance, and leadership training are readily available. Employees are part of a supportive and forward-thinking environment in the beautiful city of **Cape Town**. This role offers significant responsibility and the chance to significantly influence the direction of the company's underwriting strategy.