Senior Life Insurance Underwriter

FirstRand Bank India; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Networking opportunities

Agile work environment

End-to-end ownership

Job summary

FirstRand Group's FR Life Assurance seeks an experienced Underwriting Specialist to promote, develop and implement underwriting philosophy and strategy. You will interface between underwriters and Financial Advisors, delivering sound decisions and clear communications in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

The role demands medical underwriting acumen, market awareness and strong relationship management, translating risk into opportunity while driving speed and fairness in decisions.

Qualifications

• Minimal of 10 years life insurance underwriting experience.
• A higher / advanced level of product knowledge regarding Lump Sum Disability, Critical Illness, Income Protection, Business Cover, Group Risk, and the assessment and underwriting thereof.
• Assessment of medical, financial, avocation & occupational UW risks.
• Business acumen and client centric thinking.
• Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced market.
• Innovation and forward-thinking underwriting approach.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite life, disability, and critical illness within authority limits.
• Deliver nuanced client specific underwriting decisions that reflect both risk appetite and commercial viability.
• Educate and empower financial advisors and brokers with underwriting insights that help them position products more effectively
• Capture market sentiment and advisor feedback to inform underwriting practices and guidelines
• Craft compelling underwriting rationales that support sales conversations and build trust
• Ensure decisions align with regulatory standards and company policies
• Work closely with R&D team and other departments to optimize underwriting processes
• Champion speed and fairness in all case decisions

Skills

Adaptable and curious

Proven track record

Collaborative

Detail-oriented

Proactive and accountable

Calm under pressure

Collaborative mindset

Flexible and adaptable

Education

Grade 12 (NQF Level 4)

Relevant Degree

Job description

FirstRand Group's FR Life Assurance seeks an experienced Underwriting Specialist to promote, develop and implement underwriting philosophy and strategy. You will interface between underwriters and Financial Advisors, delivering sound decisions and clear communications in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

The role demands medical underwriting acumen, market awareness and strong relationship management, translating risk into opportunity while driving speed and fairness in decisions.