Technical Manager

Sanlam Limited; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 700 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance company in South Africa is looking for a Technical Manager to provide underwriting expertise and support to Relationship Managers. You will play a crucial role in managing broker relationships and ensuring compliance with underwriting guidelines. The ideal candidate should have a Higher Certificate in Insurance, a minimum of 3 – 5 years' experience in commercial underwriting, and excellent analytical and interpersonal skills. This position involves building relationships with key stakeholders and addressing complex technical queries.

Benefits

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Commitment to transformation and growth

A supportive workplace environment

Qualifications

• 3 – 5 years' experience in commercial underwriting.
• Experience in assessing risks and determining pricing and terms.
• Driver's licence required.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical underwriting support for Relationship Managers.
• Assist with underwriting decisions and explain principles to intermediaries.
• Balance growth and profit in decision-making.
• Manage complex quotes and policy conversions.

Skills

Technical underwriting expertise

Interpersonal skills

Analytical thinking

Computer literacy (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Education

Higher Certificate in Insurance or equivalent

FAIS compliance

Regulatory Examinations (RE) qualification

Job description

Technical Manager – Santam Broker Services, Vereeniging

What will you do?

The Technical Manager provides technical underwriting support for the Relationship Managers and enables quicker decision‑making when engaging with our intermediaries for new business quotes on large risks, renewals and other technical queries. The position calls for a person who will provide technical underwriting expertise to assist the Regional Manager and Relationship Managers in managing their broker relationships at both a strategic and operational level with a clear focus on growth, profitability and efficiency in line with the Broker Services and Santam Commercial and Personal objectives.

What will make you successful in this role

• Provide technical underwriting expertise and advice for all Classes of Insurance.
• Assist Relationship Managers in explaining complex underwriting principles and decisions to intermediaries.
• Balance growth and profit when making decisions by considering the supporting business and regional strategy.
• Analyse profitability of multi‑claimants or renewal of individual policies and recommend corrective actions to Regional Managers and Relationship Managers.
• Discuss proposed amendments to pricing models and new covers with Specialist Underwriters.
• Manage: prepare (exception) complex and high‑value quotes and policy conversions.
• When necessary, discuss and explain Risk Reduction Requirements (RRR) from survey reports and negotiate with brokers to obtain buy‑in: escalate queries only if unable to resolve to Specialist Underwriters.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with underwriting guidelines.
• Review new business written.

Qualification and Experience

• Higher Certificate in Insurance or equivalent.
• Driver's licence (requirement).
• FAIS compliance is a business requirement.
• Regulatory Examinations (RE) qualification.
• 3 – 5 years' experience working in a commercial underwriting department assessing risks, determining pricing and terms across all classes of insurance (Property, Casualty and Motor).

Knowledge and Skills

• Computer literate (MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint – intermediated proficiency levels).
• Thorough Personal and Commercial Lines technical, product and wording knowledge.
• Working knowledge of Re‑Insurance and Motor Fleet underwriting.
• Keen attention to detail.
• Planning and organising – ability to cope with conflicting demands and to prioritise tasks.
• Excellent inter‑personal skills.
• Execution and deadline oriented.
• Analytical thinking – ability to analyse and apply information and data.

Personal Attributes

• Appreciation of insurance and underwriting principles.
• Business partnerships – Commercial and profit driven.
• Conceptual thinking.
• Curious about new developments and technologies and application to risk management.
• Flexibility.
• Good communication skills (verbal and written).
• Impact & Influence.
• Information seeking.
• Innovation – innovative flair or ability to unlock this in business and people.
• Solution oriented.
• Teamwork and cooperation.
• Self‑Confident.
• Delivering results and meeting customer expectations.
• Relating and networking.
• Analysing.
• Applying expertise and technology.
• Achieving personal work goals and objectives.

Our commitment to transformation Santam is the market leader in the general insurance industry in Southern Africa.

As a large, diversified, and expanding company, we are committed to transformation and growth.

While our headquarters are in South Africa, we are rapidly extending our presence into emerging markets across Africa and Asia. With a client base of over 1 million policyholders, Santam serves individuals, commercial enterprises, specialist business owners, and institutions—including 80 of the Top companies listed on the JSE.

Our commitment to Insurance, Good and Proper goes beyond just providing cover—we offer peace of mind, ensuring our clients can focus on living in the moment, not worrying about the unexpected.

Because at Santam, we believe the freedom to seize every day is worth protecting. People drive our business, and we are committed to attracting the best talent, whether for permanent roles or short‑term opportunities. Santam is committed to diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including persons with disabilities.

We are dedicated to neuro‑inclusivity and fostering a workplace where everyone can thrive. Take the next step in your career—apply now and be part of a company that's shaping the future of insurance.

This is Freedom!