Senior Underwriting Manager

Placements24; Polokwane; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive executive salary

Bonus opportunities

Executive benefits package (medical, 1

Relocation assistance

Company car and fuel allowance

Retirement planning

Job summary

Placements24, a leading insurer in Polokwane, is seeking a Senior Underwriting Manager to lead underwriting operations in Polokwane, Limpopo. You will shape underwriting strategy, manage a team of underwriters, and collaborate with risk, actuarial, claims, and sales to ensure profitable growth.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in insurance underwriting with at least 5 in leadership, strong risk assessment, and excellent communication and negotiation skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Risk Management, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in insurance underwriting, with at least 5 years in a management or leadership role.
• Proven expertise in various lines of commercial and/or personal insurance underwriting.
• Strong understanding of risk management principles, financial analysis, and insurance market dynamics.
• Exceptional leadership, team management, and motivational skills.
• Excellent strategic thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
• Outstanding communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to drive performance and achieve business objectives.
• Proficiency in underwriting systems and relevant software applications.
• Relevant professional designations (e.g., ACII) advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and enforce underwriting policies, guidelines, and procedures.
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of underwriters, fostering their professional growth and performance.
• Oversee the assessment and approval of complex insurance risks, ensuring profitability and adherence to risk appetite.
• Monitor underwriting performance, analyze key metrics, and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Collaborate with actuarial, claims, and sales departments to ensure alignment and effective risk management.
• Identify market trends and competitor activities, adapting underwriting strategies accordingly.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• Contribute to product development and innovation by providing underwriting insights.
• Manage relationships with brokers and agents, providing support and guidance on underwriting matters.
• Drive efficiency and continuous improvement within the underwriting function.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Negotiation

Interpersonal skills

Risk management

Financial analysis

Problem-solving

Performance management

Team management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Risk Management, or related field

Tools

Underwriting software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent insurance organization, is seeking an accomplished and strategic Senior Underwriting Manager to lead their underwriting operations in **Polokwane, Limpopo**. This leadership position is pivotal in setting underwriting strategy, ensuring profitable growth, and maintaining the integrity of the company's risk portfolio. You will manage a team of underwriters, oversee the development and implementation of underwriting policies, and collaborate with key stakeholders across the business. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in underwriting management, a deep understanding of risk assessment, and strong leadership qualities. This role requires a results-oriented individual who can drive performance and foster a culture of excellence. Based in **Polokwane**, this position demands a dedicated professional committed to on-site operations, ensuring direct oversight and team engagement. We are looking for a visionary leader to shape the future of underwriting for our client.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and enforce underwriting policies, guidelines, and procedures.
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of underwriters, fostering their professional growth and performance.
• Oversee the assessment and approval of complex insurance risks, ensuring profitability and adherence to risk appetite.
• Monitor underwriting performance, analyze key metrics, and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Collaborate with actuarial, claims, and sales departments to ensure alignment and effective risk management.
• Identify market trends and competitor activities, adapting underwriting strategies accordingly.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• Contribute to product development and innovation by providing underwriting insights.
• Manage relationships with brokers and agents, providing support and guidance on underwriting matters.
• Drive efficiency and continuous improvement within the underwriting function.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Risk Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in insurance underwriting, with at least 5 years in a management or leadership role.
• Proven expertise in various lines of commercial and/or personal insurance underwriting.
• Strong understanding of risk management principles, financial analysis, and insurance market dynamics.
• Exceptional leadership, team management, and motivational skills.
• Excellent strategic thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
• Outstanding communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to drive performance and achieve business objectives.
• Proficiency in underwriting systems and relevant software applications.
• Relevant professional designations (e.g., ACII) are highly advantageous.

Benefits

• Highly competitive annual salary of R .
• Significant performance-based bonus opportunities.
• Comprehensive executive benefits package, including medical aid and provident fund.
• Generous annual leave and relocation assistance if required.
• Opportunity to lead and shape underwriting strategy in **Polokwane, Limpopo**.
• Extensive professional development and leadership training programs.
• A stable and respected industry leader with a strong market presence.
• Company car and fuel allowance.
• Retirement planning assistance.