Senior Research & Development Manager

Discovery Limited; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Discovery Limited in Johannesburg is seeking a Senior Research & Development Manager to conceptualise and drive R&D projects in support of Discovery Insure, bringing new products and enhancements to market. The role leads cross-functional teams, drives exploratory research, develops product strategy, and signs off on launches, with executive reporting and governance forums.

An honours or master's in an analytical field and 5–10 years in financial services are preferred; SQL and design thinking

Qualifications

• Honours or Master’s degree in an analytical field (e.g., Computer Science, Statistics, Data Science, Actuarial Science).
• 5–10 years’ work experience in financial services, preferably in a product development, problem-solving, or analytical role (e.g., Management Consulting / Actuarial / Data Science).

Responsibilities

• Drive exploratory research and analyses to develop strategic insights and inform the innovation agenda.
• Develop the product strategy and R&D priorities in line with Discovery Group and Discovery Insure strategy.
• Lead complex R&D projects with cross-functional collaboration across business units.
• Present updates to executive forums (R&D Steerco, Insure Exco, Actuarial Committee).
• Build, manage and train a small team to support the above.

Skills

SQL

Design thinking

Education

Honours or Master’s degree in an analytical field

Job description

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Senior Research & Development Manager

Business Unit: Discovery Insure

Function: Actuarial Sciences

Date: 3 Sept 2026

Discovery – Insure

Senior Research & Development Manager

About Discovery

Discovery’s core purpose is to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives. We seek out and invest in exceptional individuals who understand and support our core purpose, and whose own values align with those of Discovery. Our fast-paced and dynamic environment enables smart, self-driven people to be their best. As global thought leaders, Discovery is passionate about innovating in order to not only achieve financial success, but to ignite positive and meaningful change within our society.

About Discovery Insure

Discovery Insure is committed to creating a nation of great drivers through our innovative Shared-value Insurance model. Discovery Insure is South Africa’s fastest growing short-term insurance company with comprehensive products that provide protection against current and emerging risks facing clients in the motor and home insurance sectors. Vitality Drive, an internationally-recognised and award-winning programme, is a key differentiator in the market that incentivises and rewards clients for driving well. The Vitality Drive programme has been scaled to local and international markets which now include Europe and the Middle East. The company employs over 1 000 people who are committed to putting our customers and financial advisers first by providing unique and innovative solutions and cover.

Key Purpose

Conceptualise and drive existing and new R&D projects in support of the Discovery Insure business strategy. Bringing exciting new products and enhancements to the market on a regular basis is a key priority for Discovery Insure; the individual will play a leading role in driving the work behind this.

Areas of responsibility may include but are not limited to:

• Drive exploratory research and analyses to develop strategic insights and identify core R&D questions, ideas, and solutions to inform the innovation agenda.
• Develop the product strategy and R&D priorities in line with the overall Discovery Group and Discovery Insure strategy.
• Analytical and pricing capabilities to understand the financial implications and parameters involved when developing new products, to ensure profitable results.
• Lead complex R&D projects which have an impact across multiple Discovery businesses, actively driving close collaboration within the team and with relevant business units to ensure buy-in and smooth handover post execution.
• Present regular updates to obtain executive input on key decisions. Relevant forums include but are not limited to the R&D Steerco, Insure Exco, and Actuarial Committee.
• Drive project execution working closely with Project Managers, Systems teams, Partners teams, and other teams affected by a particular R&D project.
• Take accountability and signoff on product launch items.
• Continuously refine the R&D process solving for maximum business impact, broad input, cross-functional coordination, and timely implementation.
• Build, manage, and train a small team to support the above
• Monitoring and reporting ongoing results to ensure products are producing optimal results.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Analytical and modelling skills, SQL
• Design thinking and innovation processes

Education and Experience

Education:

• Honours or Master’s degree in an analytical field, eg Computer Science, Statistics, Data Science, Actuarial Science.
• 5-10 years’ work experience in financial services, preferably in a product development, problem-solving, or analytical role, eg. Management Consulting / Actuarial / Data Science.

EMPLOYMENT EQUITY The Company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.