Senior Underwriting Manager - Commercial Lines

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual performance bonus

Private medical insurance

Retirement savings plan

Professional training & certifications

Job summary

Placements24 in Pretoria is seeking a Senior Underwriting Manager to lead the Commercial Lines division. Based in Gauteng, the role focuses on steering underwriting strategies, risk selection, and profitability while leading a team of experienced underwriters.

The ideal candidate will have 7+ years in commercial lines underwriting, with at least 3 years in a leadership role, ACII considered a strong plus. The role collaborates with claims, sales, and other departments to drive growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Risk Management, or related field.
• ACII certification highly advantageous.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in commercial lines underwriting, with at least 3 years in leadership.
• In-depth knowledge of commercial insurance products (property, casualty, liability, professional indemnity).
• Strong leadership, analytical and decision-making abilities.
• Familiarity with South African regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of commercial lines underwriters.
• Develop underwriting strategies, policies and procedures to achieve profitability and growth targets.
• Oversee risk assessment and pricing of complex commercial risks.
• Monitor underwriting performance and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with claims, sales and marketing to support growth and retention.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and internal controls.
• Represent underwriting in senior management meetings.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Risk assessment

Underwriting strategy

Commercial lines

Education

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

ACII

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading and reputable insurer, is seeking a seasoned and strategic Senior Underwriting Manager to lead their Commercial Lines division. This critical role, based in Pretoria, Gauteng, ZA , involves overseeing the underwriting operations for a diverse portfolio of commercial insurance products. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing underwriting strategies, managing a team of experienced underwriters, and ensuring profitable growth while maintaining a strong focus on risk selection and control. You will play a key role in shaping underwriting policies, setting guidelines, and collaborating with other departments, including claims and sales, to achieve business objectives. This position requires a comprehensive understanding of the commercial insurance market, strong leadership capabilities, and a proven ability to drive performance in a challenging and evolving landscape. If you are a results-oriented leader looking to make a significant impact in Pretoria , this opportunity is ideal.

Key Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of commercial lines underwriters, fostering a high-performance culture. Develop and implement effective underwriting strategies, policies, and procedures to achieve profitability and growth targets. Oversee the accurate assessment and pricing of complex commercial risks, ensuring adherence to underwriting guidelines. Monitor underwriting performance, analyze key metrics, and implement corrective actions as needed. Collaborate with the claims department to ensure effective claims handling and feedback loop for underwriting. Work closely with the sales and marketing teams to support business development and retention efforts. Identify emerging risks and market trends within the commercial insurance sector. Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements and internal controls. Represent the underwriting department in senior management meetings and strategic planning sessions.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Risk Management, or a related field. Relevant professional qualifications (e.g., ACII) are highly advantageous. Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in commercial lines underwriting, with at least 3 years in a leadership or management role. Proven track record of managing underwriting operations and achieving profitable growth. In-depth knowledge of commercial insurance products (e.g., property, casualty, liability, professional indemnity). Strong understanding of risk assessment, pricing methodologies, and underwriting controls. Excellent leadership, team management, and interpersonal skills. Strong analytical and decision-making abilities. Effective communication and negotiation skills. Familiarity with regulatory requirements in the South African insurance market.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary package, commensurate with experience and proven leadership capabilities, including an annual performance bonus.
• Comprehensive private medical insurance and a robust retirement savings plan are provided.
• We are committed to your professional growth, offering extensive training programs, mentorship opportunities, and support for pursuing industry certifications.
• This role offers the flexibility of remote work, allowing for a better work-life integration.
• The company culture is collaborative and performance-driven.
• Other benefits include life assurance, long-term disability cover, and access to employee wellness programs.