Senior Underwriting Manager - Short-Term Insurance Portfolio

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

Benefits offered by this job

Executive salary package

Performance bonus

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Leadership development opportunities

Autonomy

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Underwriting Manager to lead the Benoni short-term insurance portfolio. You will oversee underwriting strategy, guide a team of underwriters, and drive profitability while ensuring regulatory compliance in Gauteng.

The role demands strong leadership, analytical acumen, and a proactive approach to risk management, portfolio performance, and stakeholder collaboration. Office-based with strategic oversight.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years in short-term insurance underwriting, with 3–5 years in a management role.
• Demonstrated expertise in underwriting strategy, risk assessment, and portfolio management.
• Strong leadership, team management, and interpersonal skills.
• In-depth knowledge of SA insurance market, regulatory environment, and legislation.
• Excellent analytical and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Proven ability to develop and implement underwriting initiatives.
• Relevant professional qualifications (ACII, IISA) are essential.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement underwriting strategies for profitable growth and market share.
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of underwriters.
• Establish and maintain underwriting guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Monitor portfolio performance and analyze key metrics; take corrective actions.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and industry best practices.
• Collaborate with product, sales, and claims to align activities with goals.
• Manage broker and reinsurance relationships.
• Identify emerging risks and adapt strategies accordingly.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and coach the team.
• Contribute to strategic planning of the insurance division.

Skills

Leadership

Underwriting strategy

Risk assessment

Portfolio management

Stakeholder management

Regulatory knowledge

Negotiation

Education

ACII

IISA Diploma

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the insurance industry, is seeking an accomplished Senior Underwriting Manager to lead their short-term insurance portfolio in Benoni. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing the underwriting strategy, team management, and profitability of a diverse range of short-term insurance products. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in underwriting management, a deep understanding of risk assessment across various classes, and a proven ability to drive profitable growth within a competitive market. You will be instrumental in developing underwriting guidelines, mentoring underwriting teams, and ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks in the Gauteng region. This is a unique opportunity to shape the underwriting function of a respected organization and contribute significantly to its strategic objectives. The role requires strong leadership capabilities, analytical acumen, and a forward-thinking approach to risk management and portfolio performance. You will be expected to foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement within your team, ensuring the delivery of high-quality underwriting services. This is a critical, office-based position demanding full commitment and strategic oversight.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement effective underwriting strategies to achieve profitable growth and market share objectives for the short-term insurance portfolio.
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of underwriters, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Establish and maintain robust underwriting guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Monitor portfolio performance, analyze key metrics (e.g., loss ratios, expense ratios), and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• Collaborate with product development, sales, and claims departments to align underwriting activities with business goals.
• Manage relationships with key brokers and reinsurance partners.
• Identify emerging risks and market trends, adapting underwriting strategies accordingly.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide ongoing coaching and development for the underwriting team.
• Contribute to the overall strategic planning and decision-making of the insurance division.

Requirements

• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in short-term insurance underwriting, with at least 3-5 years in a management or supervisory role.
• Demonstrated expertise in underwriting strategy, risk assessment, and portfolio management across multiple lines of business.
• Strong leadership, team management, and interpersonal skills.
• In-depth knowledge of the South African insurance market, regulatory environment, and relevant legislation.
• Excellent analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proven ability to develop and implement successful underwriting initiatives.
• Relevant professional qualifications (e.g., ACII, IISA Diploma) are essential.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills.
• Ability to effectively manage complex stakeholder relationships.
• Based in or able to commute reliably to Benoni.

Benefits

• Highly competitive executive salary package, commensurate with the seniority and responsibilities of the role.
• Significant performance-based bonus structure tied to portfolio profitability and strategic objectives.
• Comprehensive executive medical aid plan and robust retirement fund benefits.
• Exceptional opportunities for leadership development and career advancement within the organization.
• A dynamic and challenging work environment with a high degree of autonomy.
• Opportunity to significantly impact the strategic direction of a leading insurance provider.
• Be a key leader in the Gauteng insurance market, contributing to its growth and stability.