Senior Underwriter : Digital Distribution

Sanlam Limited; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services provider is seeking a Senior Underwriter to drive profitable growth and provide mentorship within the SME Casualty division. This role involves underwriting complex risks, evaluating proposals, and ensuring compliance with audit standards. Suitable candidates should have expertise in technical underwriting and strong negotiation skills. The position is located in Gauteng, South Africa.

Qualifications

• Experience in underwriting complex and specialist risks.
• Proven ability to negotiate with brokers for profitable business.
• Strong analytical skills in risk evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite complex and specialist risks.
• Evaluate and negotiate risks with brokers.
• Monitor portfolio performance and prepare financial reports.
• Support and mentor junior underwriters.

Skills

Advanced technical underwriting

Risk assessment

Negotiation

Mentorship

Communication

Job description

Overview As a Senior Underwriter within Santam's SME Casualty division, you will play a key role in shaping and driving profitable growth across SME Casualty lines.

This role combines advanced technical underwriting, mentorship, and leadership in delivering sustainable portfolio performance and superior broker experience.

You'll underwrite complex and specialist risks, support the continuous improvement of processes, and act as a technical expert and mentor to the underwriting team.

What will make you successful in this role?

Key Responsibilities

• Examine insurance proposals for both new and renewal business by gathering and analyzing background information, conducting research, and assessing risks across coverage, pricing, and structure.
• Evaluate and negotiate risks with brokers to secure profitable new business and high-quality renewals in line with Santam's underwriting strategy.
• Calculate and price risks accurately using established underwriting tools, practices, and sound professional judgment.
• Quote within delegated authority and refer complex or non-standard cases in accordance with Santam's policies and technical guidelines.
• Monitor the performance of your portfolio, ensuring effective tracking of renewals, new business, and lost business, while maintaining cancellation reserves below 2.5%.
• Prepare accurate premium forecasts and financial reports to support budget setting and performance monitoring at both individual and team levels.
• Confidently communicate technical insights and provide training to internal stakeholders, brokers, and clients when required.
• Support and mentor junior underwriters in risk evaluation, renewal negotiations, and technical decision-making.
• Maintain data accuracy by capturing underwriting information in company systems and producing timely management reports to support informed business decisions.
• Ensure all underwriting and policy documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant with audit and regulatory standards.
• Actively participate in departmental projects and initiatives aimed at improving operational efficiency, service quality, and underwriting excellence.
• Assist senior leadership through the application of portfolio underwriting methodologies to inform strategic underwriting decisions.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of underwriting guidelines and methodologies to enhance consistency and control.
• Conduct peer reviews and sign-off of accounts within your delegated authority, ensuring quality assurance for policies outside junior staff mandates.