Senior Underwriter

PPS; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

PPS is seeking an experienced underwriter to manage life, disability, critical illness, sickness and permanent incapacity cover within delegated authority. The role emphasises handling complex underwriting queries and maintaining a high level of service across internal stakeholders.

Ideal candidates have 10+ years in long-term insurance underwriting and a strong command of English, with proven analytical and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree aligned to finance or healthcare as listed in education.
• 10+ years underwriting experience in long term insurance.
• 10+ years insurance industry experience.
• Strong English communication and reporting skills.
• Proficient in MS Outlook, Excel and Word.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite life, disability, critical illness, sickness and permanent incapacity cover within authority limits.
• Handle technical underwriting queries and complaints with high service quality.
• Collaborate with Research & Development to support organisational goals.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and delegation of authority.
• Provide feedback to underwriting manager and peers.
• Lead and participate in projects to improve underwriting processes and standards.
• Support onboarding and training of new staff through coaching and knowledge transfer.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry and regulatory changes.

Skills

English proficiency

MS Outlook

MS Excel

MS Word

Analytical thinking

Time management

Independent worker

Team collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree aligned to finance or healthcare

Tools

MS Outlook

MS Excel

MS Word

Job description

Job Description

Responsible for underwriting life, disability, critical illness, sickness and permanent incapacity cover within agreed underwriting authority limits. The role deals with technical and complex underwriting queries and/or complaints providing an excellent service offering. A close relationship with Research & Development to support interdepartmental and wider organisational goals.

Responsible for underwriting life, disability, critical illness, sickness and permanent incapacity cover within agreed underwriting authority limits. The role deals with technical and complex underwriting queries and/or complaints providing an excellent service offering. A close relationship with Research & Development to support interdepartmental and wider organisational goals.

Requirements

Education

• A Bachelor's degree in a field aligned to finance or healthcare, such as Nursing, BCom, BSc, or a related qualification.

Experience

• 10+ years underwriting experience in long term insurance


• 10+ years insurance industry experience

Knowledge And Skills

• English proficiency, both written and verbal, with strong report writing and presentation capabilities.


• Excellent telephone etiquette and professional communication style.


• Solid working knowledge of MS Outlook, Excel, and Word.


• Demonstrates a mature, disciplined, and self-driven approach to work.


• Capable of working independently while also contributing effectively within a team environment.


• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport and collaborate across functions.


• Logical thinker with sound analytical abilities.


• Effective time management and organisational skills.


• Results-oriented and able to perform under pressure while meeting tight deadlines.


• Must understand the underwriting environment and general protocols and processes

Competencies

• Planning and Organising


• Attention to Detail


• Client Cetricity


• Relationship Building and Maintenance


• Resilience


• Complex Prpblem Solving


• Adptability and Responsiveness to Change


• Innovation and Forward Thinking

Duties and Responsibilities

• Underwrite cases within the agreed service level agreements.


• Achieve and maintain standards in underwriting Life


• Provide constructive feedback to underwriting manager/underwriter regarding matters arising


• Responsible for financial underwriting to ensure accurate financial underwriting decisions.


• Participatie in projects to improve departmental service-owning your role in the project and completing tasks as required by providing input.


• Adhere to internal SLA's to ensure operational efficiency and achievement of agreed customer service standards


• Ensure adherence to regulatory and compliance requirements


• Verify and authorise underwriting decisions in terms of published delegation of authority.


• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders: Research & Development, Member Services and Intermediary Services


• Handle Arbitration and Ombudsman cases and collaborate with other stakeholder during the Complaints process


• Contribute and assist in the reviewing of processes and protocols where required to assist in PPS’ delivery of quality underwriting decisions


• Empower team members with transfer of knowledge, be the Underwriting Team SME


• Ensure that own knowledge is kept abreast with industry & regulatory information and changes through various internal and external information sources


• Provide technical information and support


• Underwriting Life, TPD, Critical Illness and IP cover


• Discussing Counter offer letters with Financial Advisors


• Support Managers and Learning and Development to identify learning objectives; implement training interventions and create development plans


• Support active learning plan for onboarding of new employees and constant learning for all employees through coaching and other interventions