Senior Underwriting Manager - Commercial Lines

Placements24; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with bonus

Private medical insurance

Retirement savings plan

Training and certifications

Remote work flexibility

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a seasoned Senior Underwriting Manager to lead the Commercial Lines division in Pretoria. You will develop underwriting strategies, manage a team of underwriters, and drive profitable growth while ensuring risk controls and regulatory compliance.

In this role you will shape underwriting policies, set guidelines, partner with claims and sales, and provide strategic leadership to navigate a dynamic insurance market in South Africa.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
• ACII or similar qualifications are advantageous.
• 7+ years of commercial lines underwriting experience.
• 3+ years in leadership or management role.
• Strong knowledge of commercial insurance products.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of commercial lines underwriters.
• Develop and implement underwriting strategies and guidelines.
• Oversee underwriting, pricing, and risk assessment for complex risks.
• Monitor performance metrics and drive profitable growth.
• Collaborate with claims and sales to support retention and growth.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and internal controls.

Skills

Leadership

Underwriting

Risk assessment

Pricing methods

Strategic thinking

Regulatory knowledge

Education

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

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.