Operations Underwriting -Support Manager -JG7 (JHB/CPT)

Sanlam Limited; Bellville, Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 700 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services company seeks an Operations Underwriting - Support Manager in Bellville, South Africa. This role involves maintaining the integrity of underwriting processes, supporting operational teams in meeting commercial mandate requirements, and developing skills training programs. The successful candidate will have a minimum of 10 years of insurance industry experience, strong commercial underwriting knowledge, and excellent leadership skills. This position offers opportunities for career growth within a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Benefits

Opportunities for growth and development

Inclusive workplace culture

Diversity initiatives

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years’ insurance industry experience with meaningful exposure to commercial underwriting.
• Experience in developing skills or training programmes is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Support the Operational Commercial Contact Centers with role mandate requirements.
• Track and report on Commercial mandate and skill gaps.
• Review and audit underwriting decisions against possible exposures in Commercial Operations.

Skills

Strong coaching and leadership skills

Commercial underwriting knowledge

Exceptional customer service orientation

Computer literate (MS Office with strong Excel skills)

Excellent communication (verbal and written)

Education

Minimum of 10 years’ insurance industry experience

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Operations Underwriting - Support Manager - JG7 (JHB/CPT)

Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng, ZA (Belville or JHB).

Closing Date: 20 January 2026.

Who are we?

Santam is the market leader in the general insurance industry in Southern Africa. We are a large, diversified, expanding and transforming company and whilst based in South Africa, we are rapidly moving into a number of emerging markets, both in Africa and Asia. Our success is rooted in our passion for our clients and everything we do is centred on our delivery of Insurance Good and Proper.

What will you do?

Santam’s Operations division within Santam Broker Solutions currently has an exciting opportunity available for a Technical Underwriting Support Manager who will be responsible for maintaining the integrity of the Commercial Underwriting skills and protocols within Operations supported by the senior commercial underwriters in the Operations Commercial Underwriting Technical team and the broader Operations channels.

What will make you successful in this role?

Support the Operational Commercial Contact Centers in:

• Building and maintaining role mandate requirements.
• Supporting Line Managers with development journeys aligned to role mandate requirements.
• Tracking and reporting on Commercial mandate gaps and progress.
• Tracking and reporting on Commercial skill gaps as informed by BAU processes like QA and TQA trend insights.

Structured engagements with development support stakeholders in Operations and the broader SBS business to support Operations’ needs in building underwriting skill.

Defining and maintaining Commercial referral processes across the available mandate spectrum in conjunction with the relevant Operations channels.

Review and audit UW decisions and processes against possible exposures in Commercial Operations due to skill or process gaps.

Engaging with relevant stakeholders to identify skills requirements within the underwriting domain to future proof the business underwriting needs.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of 10 years’ insurance industry experience with meaningful exposure to commercial underwriting.
• Experience in developing skills or training programmes (Advantageous).

Knowledge and Skills

• Computer literate (MS Office package with strong Excel skill. Competent in navigating AI applications like Copilot).
• Commercial underwriting knowledge required.
• Exceptional customer service orientation.
• Strong coaching and leadership skills.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written).

Competencies

• Analytical and conceptual thinking.
• Leading and supervising.
• Coaching and development.
• Adapting and responding to change.
• Deciding and initiating action.
• Planning and organising.
• Delivering results and meeting customer expectations.
• Persuading and influencing.

Build a successful career with us

We’re all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future – your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping our employees to realise their worth.Through its five business clusters – Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, Santam, as well as MiWay and the Group Office – the group provides many opportunities for growth and development.

Turnaround time

The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers.

The Sanlam Group is committed to achieving transformation and embraces diversity. This commitment is what drives us to achieve a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace as we believe that these are key components to ensuring a thriving and sustainable business in South Africa. The Group's Employment Equity plan and targets will be considered as part of the selection process.