Job Description
Operations Manager (Insurance)
The OM will support the overall effective operational delivery of managing complex customer complaints, to meet internal and client-led demands by demonstrating strong leadership, operational and management capability.
Job Responsibilities
People Management
- Managing performance and achievement of Team Leader KPIs
- Articulate with clarity to the Team Leaders the business expectations and support them with the creation and execution of their operational plan
- Ensure daily huddles are prepared and held
- Leave/Absence Management ensuring required resourcing is available as per SLA
- Disciplinary & HR-related matters are attended to in line with company policy and protocols
- Create and drive team motivation
- Reward & Recognition is part of the operational rigor
- Incentive programmes are aspirational, structured, and well communicated to align with operational delivery
- Encourage cross-functional collaboration
- Drive a high-performance environment, ensuring client objectives are consistently achieved
- HW policies, procedures, and protocols are communicated and demonstrated within the operational environment
- Foster the HW culture aligned to a people-centric approach
- Recognize and address potential challenges that may hinder team performance or morale
Team/Leader Development
- Structured and ongoing coaching/mentoring
- New leader transition plans
- Lead bi-monthly call review sessions with documented actions and outcomes
- Conduct monthly 1-1s with Team Leaders to review team performance and personal development
- Identify and address skills/knowledge gaps
- Embed industry best practices and seek continuous service delivery improvement
- Share knowledge based on incidents, findings, or feedback
- Host regular think tank/focus sessions
- Support team professional development (CPD, succession, career pathing)
- Address poor performance through structured development plans in partnership with HR
- Identify and nurture top talent
- Create a repository of useful resources for coaching and skills development
- Provide ongoing formal and informal learning opportunities
Operational Management (BAU)
- Define operational objectives
- Agree and deliver key operational metrics
- Plan and deliver against agreed business targets
- Monitor performance and adapt activities accordingly
- Translate financial objectives into operational activities
- Track performance against forecast and adjust operations in‑month
- Communicate departmental information effectively
- Define reporting requirements to optimize performance
- Maintain key business records
- Implement quality control mechanisms
- Manage legislative requirements
- Oversee processes and monitor performance
- Monitor departmental expenses
- Oversee procurement and suppliers
- Suggest areas for review based on management insights
- Raise and address concerns promptly to avoid disruption
- Promote innovation, successes, and learnings
- Support project implementation led by the Project Manager
- Provide insights and collaborate with project teams
- Maintain stakeholder communication and records of progress
Client Relationship Support
- Support the Client Director in maintaining strong client interactions
- Collaborate with clients through WBR, MBR, and QBR
- Manage internal delivery on client requirements
- Escalate risks/issues within Huntwood promptly
- Prepare for client visits and ensure internal teams are aligned
- Maintain healthy client communication and relationships
- Share achievements and challenges proactively
- Report on continuous departmental improvement
Change Management
- Identify departmental change initiatives
- Partner with the business on organizational change
- Drive change initiatives to successful outcomes
- Manage communication plans around departmental changes
- Monitor results and address challenges
Department Reporting
- Collaborate with BI team to build operational reporting and insights
- Analyze existing MI and monitor trends
- Use data insights for decision‑making and improvement recommendations
- Drive data‑driven continuous improvement initiatives
Job Requirements
- Minimum qualification: Matric/NQF 4
- Relevant tertiary qualification advantageous
- Experience in financial services essential (Banking/Insurance)
- 3 years in a Senior Operations Management role in a BPO/Call Centre environment
- Experience in complaints handling, ideally with UK-based clients
- Preferred experience in financial services/insurance sector
- Strong communication skills with senior stakeholders and clients
- Proficiency in MS Excel
Skills Required
- Interpersonal and communication skills
- Understanding of business processes and policies
- Organized and structured
- Resource planning
- Leadership
- Innovative and creative thinking
- Analytical skills
- Coaching and mentoring
- Ability to lead and influence
- Decision‑making
- Planning and organization
- Continuous improvement mindset
- Operational knowledge
- Financial acumen
- Report writing
Core Behavior
Huntswood’s employees are described as dependable, driven, and collaborative.
The job holder should align to our 6 Fundamental Values:
- Bring Your “A” Game
- Strive For Greater
- Enable and empower all employees
- Do the right thing
- Own it
- Deliver unbelievable service
“It's not just about what we do, but the way we do it. And it's our values that make us special.”
NB: All appointments are subject to the positive outcome of pre‑employment verification checks.
Apply