Senior Underwriter - Specialty Lines

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Global health coverage

Fully remote work arrangement

Professional development opportunities

Competitive bonus structure

Job summary

Placements24 invites applications for a Senior Underwriter specializing in specialty lines. This fully remote role focuses on assessing and pricing complex risks such as cyber, E&O, and D&O, while building strong broker relationships worldwide.

The position supports a global, distributed team operating from multiple regions, including the Stellenbosch area. We seek a seasoned professional with a minimum of seven years in underwriting, strong analytical skills, and a keen ability to negotiate and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Law, or related field.
• 7+ years in underwriting with focus on specialty lines (Cyber, E&O, D&O, PI).
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and decision-making abilities.
• Experience pricing complex non-standard risks and building broker relationships.
• Familiarity with regulatory environments in specialty insurance.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite complex specialty risks (cyber, PI, D&O).
• Analyze applications, financials, and loss history to set pricing.
• Develop terms, conditions, and pricing for policies.
• Build and maintain relationships with brokers and clients.
• Collaborate with claims, legal and product teams for holistic solutions.
• Monitor portfolio performance and identify trends.
• Ensure compliance with underwriting guidelines and regulations.
• Mentor junior underwriters and support their development.
• Stay informed on emerging risks and market developments.
• Contribute to new specialty products and market strategies.

Skills

Underwriting

Specialty lines

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Business/Law or related

Tools

Underwriting software

Risk modeling tools

MS Office

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prestigious global insurer known for its innovative approach to complex risks, is seeking an experienced Senior Underwriter specializing in Specialty Lines to join their fully remote team. This senior position is crucial for assessing and pricing unique and high-value risks that fall outside standard insurance offerings. You will leverage your deep expertise to evaluate intricate policy requests, develop creative underwriting solutions, and build strong relationships with brokers and clients worldwide. This role is entirely remote, offering unparalleled flexibility and the opportunity to work from any location while being an integral part of a high-performing, globally distributed team. We are committed to attracting seasoned professionals who possess exceptional analytical skills and a proven ability to manage challenging underwriting portfolios. Your contribution will be vital to the continued success and expansion of our specialty lines business, operating from the beautiful region surrounding Stellenbosch, Western Cape, ZA .

Key Responsibilities

• Underwrite complex specialty insurance risks, including but not limited to cyber, professional indemnity, and D&O.
• Analyze intricate policy applications, financial statements, and loss history to determine risk appetite and pricing.
• Develop and negotiate terms, conditions, and pricing for specialty insurance policies.
• Build and maintain strong, productive relationships with key brokers and clients.
• Collaborate with internal teams, including claims, legal, and product development, to provide comprehensive solutions.
• Monitor the performance of the specialty lines portfolio, identifying trends and making strategic recommendations.
• Ensure compliance with underwriting guidelines, regulatory requirements, and company policies.
• Mentor and provide guidance to junior underwriters and assist in their professional development.
• Stay informed about emerging risks and market developments in specialty insurance lines.
• Contribute to the development of new specialty insurance products and market strategies.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Law, or a related field; relevant professional designations are highly valued.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in underwriting, with a significant focus on specialty lines (e.g., Cyber, E&O, D&O, PI).
• Demonstrated expertise in analyzing and pricing complex, non-standard risks.
• Strong negotiation skills and a proven ability to build lasting relationships with brokers.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and decision-making capabilities.
• In-depth understanding of legal and regulatory environments impacting specialty insurance.
• Proficiency in underwriting software, risk modeling tools, and MS Office Suite.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and thrive in a demanding, fully remote work environment.
• A strong ethical compass and commitment to best practices.

Benefits

• Highly competitive annual salary of R.
• Attractive performance-based bonus structure.
• Comprehensive global health coverage and retirement plan.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth, certifications, and international exposure.
• Fully remote work arrangement with flexibility and autonomy.
• Access to cutting-edge technology and resources.
• A collaborative global team environment fostering innovation.
• Generous paid time off and personal development allowance.