Senior Underwriter MMH260915-2

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

Job summary

Guardrisk is seeking a Senior Underwriter to assess, price and manage commercial insurance risks within approved mandates, driving portfolio growth through disciplined risk selection and strong broker relationships.

You will oversee new business, renewals and endorsements, ensuring profitability with robust underwriting controls and governance while collaborating with claims, actuarial, reinsurance and compliance teams to support strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

• Matric or equivalent.
• FSCA-recognised qualification relevant to the role.
• Bachelor’s degree and/or recognised insurance qualification would be advantageous.
• RE5 required.
• RE1 required only if acting as Key Individual.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Broker relationships

Underwriting

Risk assessment

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Education

FSCA-recognised qualification

Bachelor’s degree advantageous

RE5

RE1 (Key Individual)

Job description

Role Purpose

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 and 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.