Strategic Head of National Claims Operations

Placements24; Soweto; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive salary

Performance bonuses

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Company vehicle

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Head of Claims Operations to lead the national claims function from the Soweto region. The role requires strategic leadership, deep claims expertise, and a track record of transformational change across large, multi-line environments.

The successful candidate will drive operational excellence, manage substantial budgets, and partner with underwriting, finance, and product teams to deliver superior customer service for a major insurance group in South Africa.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years in claims management with 5+ years in senior leadership overseeing multi-line operations.
• Proven track record of managing complex claims environments and driving operational improvements.
• Deep understanding of insurance claims across lines and regulatory standards.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a strategy for claims operations to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction.
• Lead and mentor a large team across multiple locations.
• Establish KPIs for claims handling and ensure SLA compliance and regulatory adherence.
• Oversee FNOL through settlement and recovery across all lines of business.
• Implement and manage robust claims management systems to optimize workflows.
• Drive continuous improvement to reduce indemnity spend and mitigate fraud.
• Collaborate with underwriting, product, and finance to align claims strategy with business goals.
• Ensure compliance with South African legal and regulatory requirements in claims handling.
• Manage relationships with external service providers such as loss adjusters and legal counsel.

Skills

Leadership

Claims management

Data analytics

Budget management

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Communication

Education

B.Com

Law degree

Professional insurance qualifications

Tools

Claims management software

Data analytics tools

ERP/CRM systems

Job description

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Head of Claims Operations to lead the national claims function from the Soweto region. The role requires strategic leadership, deep claims expertise, and a track record of transformational change across large, multi-line environments.

The successful candidate will drive operational excellence, manage substantial budgets, and partner with underwriting, finance, and product teams to deliver superior customer service for a major insurance group in South Africa.