Senior Underwriter

Santam Insurance; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance company in South Africa is looking for a Senior Underwriter to manage corporate property insurance underwriting. Responsibilities include facilitating growth and profitability through effective client engagement and compliance with underwriting standards. The ideal candidate will have 5–7 years of experience, a relevant qualification, and strong networking skills. This role involves interacting with internal and external teams to enhance the company's brand and ensure operational effectiveness.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years experience in underwriting with a relevant qualification.
• Successful completion of RE Examination.
• Knowledge of South African and African retail and reinsurance brokers.

Responsibilities

• Manage underwriting of corporate property insurance.
• Support product and department documentation.
• Contribute to business growth and client engagement.
• Ensure compliance with underwriting standards.
• Lead negotiations on policy wordings.

Skills

Networking skills

Analytical skills

Technical underwriting

Knowledge of Microsoft Office

Education

IISA Qualification or equivalent

Job description

Role Summary

We have an exciting opportunity available for a Senior Underwriter in our Risk Acceptance Department at Emerald.

Responsibilities

• Managing underwriting of new and renewal corporate property insurance business and placing facultative reinsurance.
• Interact and work effectively with the management team, improve product and department documentation, support marketing and business growth targets, and engage with brokers and potential new clients.
• Contribute to sustaining and growing a profitable book of business while enhancing Emerald’s brand and reputation on a day‑to‑day basis.
• Support all Emerald financial and growth objectives, marketing endeavors, file management, maintain underwriting standards, risk assessment, technical analysis, negotiate facultative reinsurance, prepare technical rating reviews, participate in broker visits, and consult with management on unique risks.
• Maintain knowledge of industry trends, regulatory changes, ensure compliance with binder and mandate requirements, and undertake local and international travel as required.

Key Performance Areas

• Enhance Emerald brand and foster a corporate culture promoting sustainable, ethical practices.
• Support marketing endeavors to achieve growth and profitability aligned with company objectives and the business plan.
• Support the Emerald / Santam Specialist office in London.

Qualifications & Experience

• 5–7 years experience, IISA Qualification and/or equivalent professional qualification.
• Successful completion of RE Examination and working knowledge of and previous interaction with African and South African retail and reinsurance brokers, reinsurers and clients.
• Strong networking skills with national and international brokers/reinsurance brokers and experience and knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Analysis of broker/RI broker submissions on new business and renewals to ensure profitability for the department.
• Compilation and submission of new business and renewal business to reinsurers and reinsurance brokers to ensure cost‑effective facultative support.
• Lead technical discussions and negotiations of policy wordings, provide technical underwriting input in respect of claims‑related matters.
• Assume responsibility for documentation on new and renewal business within mandated authority.
• Monitor and control documentation to internal departments, ensure workflow effectiveness from quotations to processing stages.
• Compliance with regulations, delegated authority levels, and execution of business within mandates.
• Compilation and production of data and reports as required by line and executive managers.
• Effective interaction with internal and external Risk Engineering departments, scheduling site visits and accompaniment during visits.
• Ensure adherence to Emerald underwriting guidelines and peer review.