Senior Insurance Underwriter - Complex Risks

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive bonus potential

Private medical insurance

Leading retirement fund

Career advancement opportunities

Global market access

Professional development and networks

Sandton work environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Insurance Underwriter for its Sandton, Gauteng office. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in underwriting large commercial risks, a strategic mindset, and a proven leadership orientation.

You will assess, price, and accept substantial exposures, while building broker and client relationships in a hybrid work setup. The role demands 7+ years in underwriting complex commercial risks, a strong knowledge of financial analysis and risk management, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Risk Management or related field.
• ACII designation highly valued.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive underwriting experience on complex commercial risks.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite and manage a portfolio of complex commercial risks including property, liability, and specialty lines.
• Conduct in-depth risk analysis using financial data, loss histories, and hazard assessments.
• Develop innovative underwriting strategies for challenging exposures.
• Negotiate terms, conditions and pricing with brokers and clients.
• Collaborate with risk engineers and claims teams for holistic risk management.
• Maintain strong relationships with key brokers and corporate clients in Sandton.
• Monitor portfolio performance and provide insights to senior management.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and internal guidelines.
• Mentor junior underwriters and contribute to department development.
• Contribute to strategic development of underwriting offerings.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Quantitative skills

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Communication

Relationship management

Leadership potential

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Finance/Risk Management

ACII designation

Tools

Underwriting software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading insurer known for its expertise in complex risks, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Insurance Underwriter to join their prestigious office in Sandton, Gauteng. This role requires a sophisticated understanding of underwriting principles applied to challenging and high-value risks across various industries. You will be responsible for evaluating, pricing, and accepting substantial insurance exposures, developing tailored solutions, and building strong relationships with key brokers and clients. The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of commercial insurance, risk engineering, and financial analysis, coupled with exceptional decision-making capabilities. We are looking for a strategic thinker and proven leader who can contribute significantly to our market-leading position in Sandton. This is a prime opportunity for an accomplished underwriter to drive growth and impact within a highly respected organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Underwrite and manage a portfolio of complex and large commercial insurance risks, including property, casualty, liability, and specialty lines.
• Conduct in-depth risk analysis, utilizing financial data, loss histories, and hazard assessments.
• Develop innovative and competitive underwriting strategies and solutions for challenging exposures.
• Negotiate terms, conditions, and pricing with brokers and clients to secure profitable business.
• Collaborate with risk engineers and claims teams to provide holistic risk management advice.
• Maintain and develop strong relationships with key brokerage partners and corporate clients in Sandton and beyond.
• Monitor portfolio performance, identify trends, and provide insights to senior management.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, internal underwriting guidelines, and risk appetite.
• Mentor and provide guidance to junior underwriters, fostering a culture of excellence.
• Contribute to the strategic development of the underwriting department and product offerings.

Requirements

• A relevant Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Risk Management, or a related field; relevant professional designations (e.g., ACII) are highly valued.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in underwriting complex commercial risks.
• Deep expertise in at least one major line of commercial insurance (e.g., Property, Liability, Marine, Energy).
• Strong understanding of financial markets, risk transfer mechanisms, and legal/regulatory frameworks.
• Exceptional analytical, quantitative, and strategic thinking skills.
• Superior negotiation, communication, and relationship management abilities.
• Proven ability to make sound underwriting judgments under pressure.
• Proficiency in underwriting support systems and advanced analytical tools.
• Ability to operate effectively in a hybrid work model within the Sandton area.
• Strong leadership potential and a collaborative spirit.

Benefits

• Executive-level compensation package, including substantial bonus potential.
• Comprehensive private medical insurance and leading retirement fund.
• Significant opportunities for career advancement and leadership roles.
• Access to global markets and complex risk expertise.
• A dynamic and professional work environment in Sandton.
• Continuous professional development and networking opportunities.