Senior Underwriter: Risk & Portfolio Leadership

Santam Insurance; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Santam Insurance in Sandton seeks an experienced Senior Underwriter to carefully select, analyse and underwrite risks, ensuring profitability and alignment with governance. You will support the leadership team with daily management, mentor junior staff, and contribute to product, process, and market innovations.

You will build brokers and client relationships, quote within authority, and monitor portfolio performance. Governance and compliance are integral to your day-to-day work in this role.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7–10 years of senior underwriting experience across underwriting, re-insurance, legal and general insurance.
• Strong leadership and mentoring capability.
• Ability to analyse complex risk profiles and negotiate with brokers.

Responsibilities

• Examine proposals, assess background information, and evaluate risk to win or renew business.
• Determine premiums using underwriting tools and judgement; quote within approvals.
• Monitor portfolio performance and ensure renewals and cancellations stay within targets.
• Articulate technical messages and provide underwriting training when needed.
• Enter data accurately in company systems and produce management reports.

Skills

Senior underwriting

Leadership

Risk assessment

Education

Commercial Degree

FAIS Compliance

Job description

Santam Insurance in Sandton seeks an experienced Senior Underwriter to carefully select, analyse and underwrite risks, ensuring profitability and alignment with governance. You will support the leadership team with daily management, mentor junior staff, and contribute to product, process, and market innovations.

You will build brokers and client relationships, quote within authority, and monitor portfolio performance. Governance and compliance are integral to your day-to-day work in this role.