Senior Underwriter

Guardrisk; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Guardrisk is the market leader in cell captive insurance and risk solutions, seeking a Senior Underwriter to assess, price and manage commercial risks within delegated authority.

The role emphasizes strong broker relationships, profitability, and adherence to regulatory and governance standards, including SASRIA requirements. A robust underwriting background across mid-market portfolios is essential.

Qualifications

• Matric or equivalent.
• A FSCA-recognised qualification appropriate to the role and applicable product categories.
• A relevant bachelor’s degree and/or recognised insurance qualification would be advantageous.
• RE5 required.
• RE1 required only where the incumbent will be appointed as, or perform the regulatory responsibilities of, a Key Individual.

Responsibilities

• Assess, price and manage commercial insurance risks within approved underwriting authority.
• Review and underwrite new business, renewals and endorsements in accordance with underwriting guidelines and delegated authority.
• Maintain profitable portfolio performance through sound risk selection, pricing and appropriate underwriting controls.
• Manage and develop relationships with brokers and key stakeholders.
• Provide technical underwriting guidance on complex risks and referrals.
• Liaise with claims, actuarial, reinsurance, compliance and operations teams where required.

Skills

Matric / Grade 12

FSCA-recognised qualification

RE5

RE1 (Key Individual)

Broker relationships

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Insurance

Insurance qualification

Job description

Guardrisk is the undisputed market leader in cell captive insurance and risk solutions. We are renowned for our innovative approach to cell captive structures and other alternative risk transfer solutions for our clients. Guardrisk offers clients custom designed cover and is registered in South Africa as an insurer for all statutory classes of non-life and life insurance business.

Disclaimer As an applicant, please verify the legitimacy of this job advert on our company career page.

The Senior Underwriter is responsible for the assessment, pricing, management and ongoing review of commercial insurance risks within approved underwriting mandates. The role supports profitable portfolio growth through sound underwriting practices, strong broker relationships and effective risk management, while ensuring compliance with all applicable legislative, regulatory and governance requirements.

Requirements

Qualification

• Matric or equivalent.
• A relevant FSCA-recognised qualification appropriate to the role and applicable product categories.
• A relevant bachelor’s degree and/or recognised insurance qualification would be advantageous.
• RE5 required.
• RE1 required only where the incumbent will be appointed as, or perform the regulatory responsibilities of, a Key Individual.

Experience

• Minimum seven years’ commercial short-term insurance underwriting experience within an insurer, UMA or similar underwriting environment.
• Strong underwriting experience across small commercial and mid-market commercial portfolios, including property, motor, commercial crime and general liability.
• Exposure to Assets Al Risk and specialist lines would be advantageous.
• Established relationships with large corporate and commercial broking houses, with exposure to regional and independent brokers.
• Experience in broker platform, binder or delegated-authority environments would be advantageous.
• Sound knowledge of the commercial underwriting market and competitive landscape.
• Sound understanding of reinsurance arrangements and their implications for underwriting decisions.
• Working knowledge of SASRIA requirements.

Duties & Responsibilities

Main Functions or Outputs

• Assess, price and manage commercial insurance risks within approved underwriting authority.
• Review and underwrite new business, renewals and endorsements in accordance with underwriting guidelines and delegated authority.
• Maintain profitable portfolio performance through sound risk selection, pricing and appropriate underwriting controls.
• Manage and develop relationships with brokers and key stakeholders.
• Provide technical underwriting guidance on complex risks and referrals.
• Liaise with claims, actuarial, reinsurance, compliance and operations teams where required.
• Participate in portfolio reviews and recommend or implement corrective underwriting actions within approved authority.
• Assist with the review and development of underwriting guidelines, policy wordings and products.
• Ensure compliance with legislative, regulatory and governance requirements including SASRIA.
• Support underwriting, product and strategic initiatives as required.
• Escalate underwriting, operational and governance concerns where appropriate.
• Maintain agreed service levels and deliver an excellent broker experience.
• Provide technical guidance and support to underwriters and key stakeholders.
• Assist in the development and mentoring of less experienced underwriters.
• Promote consistent application of underwriting standards, delegated authorities and governance requirements.
• Coordinate and delegate work activities where appropriate to support service delivery and business objectives.
• Review and support complex underwriting referrals.
• Share technical knowledge and contribute to underwriting training initiatives.
• Demonstrate leadership through personal example, collaboration and adherence to organisational values.
• Undertake broker visits and engagement activities to strengthen relationships, identify profitable growth opportunities and expand the Guardrisk Commercial product offering within approved risk appetite.

Financial

• Contribute to the achievement of portfolio profitability and growth objectives.
• Ensure underwriting decisions support targeted loss ratio, premium and retention objectives.
• Monitor underwriting and claims trends and recommend actions to improve portfolio performance.
• Liaise with the reinsurance function regarding reinsurance implications and treaty compliance where required.

Technical Leadership & Mentorship

• Provide technical guidance and support to underwriters and key stakeholders.
• Assist in the development and mentoring of less experienced underwriters.
• Promote consistent application of underwriting standards, delegated authorities and governance requirements.
• Coordinate and delegate work activities where appropriate to support service delivery and business objectives.
• Review and support complex underwriting referrals.
• Share technical knowledge and contribute to underwriting training initiatives.
• Demonstrate leadership through personal example, collaboration and adherence to organisational values.

Competencies

Business Acumen

Understands how the business operates, what the key issues and risks are that drive business success; and how they impact on the commercial viability of potential ventures and the profitability of the Group.

Customer/ Stakeholder Commitment

Anticipates, meets and exceeds customers’ and stakeholders’ expectations by creating long lasting relationships that support the customer value proposition.

Drive for Results

Drive a sense of urgency, focus, accountability, agility and execution to deliver business results.

Leads Change and Innovation

Challenge the status quo, does what is right for the business, and encourages continuous improvement and innovation.

Collaboration

Prioritises the business interests of Guardrisk and invests in the success of the group by aligning effort across divisions.

Impact and Influence

Persuades, convinces, influences and inspires others, both within the Group and externally to win support, loyalty and gain commitment to the purpose of the Group.

Self-Awareness and Insight

Manages self and relationships with others effectively, deals with ambiguity, uncertainty and pressure, and provides perspective in difficult situations.

Diversity and Inclusiveness

Is sensitive to individual and cultural differences and demonstrates humility and an openness to engage people from diverse backgrounds and cultures to the mutual benefit of all parties concerned.