Underwriter

FirstRand Short Term Insurance; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 480,000 - 720,000; Full time

Job summary

FirstRand Short Term Insurance is seeking a Senior Underwriter for personal lines, evaluating and approving applications for building, contents, motor and liability products. You balance risk with growth, ensuring compliance with underwriting guidelines and delivering exceptional client service.

The role emphasizes development of underwriting frameworks, training for brokers and teams, and leveraging data to streamline decisions while aligning with evolving market needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in insurance, risk management, finance or related field.
• RE5 qualification preferred and FAIS compliance required.
• Minimum 5 years underwriting experience in personal lines.
• Commercial underwriting experience is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Assess and approve personal lines insurance applications (building, contents, motor, portable items, liability).
• Develop and maintain underwriting frameworks, policies and procedures.
• Provide guidance to brokers, agents and internal teams on underwriting criteria.
• Collaborate with claims, actuarial and product teams to inform risk decisions.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Decision making

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Customer focus

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Insurance / Risk Management / Finance

RE5 qualification

FAIS compliance

Job description

Job Description

To provide an effective and efficient service to clients by obtaining the correct medical and setting of underwriting requirements telephonically, that need to be referred to a Senior Underwriter for sign-off. Facilitation of such requirements related to new and existing business.

Hello, future, Personal Lines Insurance Underwriter, Welcome to FNB, we design for the shapeshifters and deliver products and services that make us incredibly proud of the people that make it happen.

As part of our team in FNB Short Term Insurance, you will be surrounded by unique talents, diverse minds, and an adaptable environment that lives up to the promise of staying curious.

Now’s the time to imagine your potential in a team where experts come together and ignite effective change.

The Personal Lines Insurance Underwriter is responsible for evaluating, analysing, and approving insurance applications for personal insurance products such as building, contents, motor, portables and personal liability. This is not limited to new business only this role requires balancing risk assessment with business growth objectives, ensuring compliance with underwriting guidelines, and delivering exceptional service to clients, brokers, sales, servicing, retentions, and claims.

Underwriting Operational Enablement

Develop and maintain underwriting frameworks, policies, and procedures that support consistent decision-making.

Provide guidance and training to brokers, agents, and internal teams to ensure clarity on underwriting criteria.

Leverage technology platforms and data analytics to streamline underwriting processes and enable faster, more accurate risk assessments.

Collaborate with product development teams to align underwriting practices with evolving market needs and customer expectations.

Underwriting Operational Efficiencies

Continuously review and refine underwriting workflows to reduce turnaround times without compromising quality.

Implement automation tools and digital solutions to minimize manual tasks and improve productivity.

Monitor performance metrics (e.g., quote-to-sale ratios, loss ratios, service levels) to identify bottlenecks and optimize resource allocation.

Foster a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging feedback and adopting best practices across the underwriting team.

Risk Mitigation

Assess applications thoroughly to identify potential risks and ensure adherence to company risk appetite and regulatory requirements.

Apply sound judgment in balancing risk exposure with profitability goals.

Monitor portfolio performance to detect emerging risk trends and adjust underwriting strategies accordingly.

Collaborate with claims and actuarial teams to ensure underwriting decisions are informed by historical loss data and predictive modelling.

Additional Responsibilities

Relationship Management: Build strong relationships with , brokers ,sales, servicing, retentions, and claims and providing clear communication and support to foster trust and loyalty.

Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all underwriting practices comply with local insurance regulations, industry standards, and company policies.

Market Awareness: Stay informed about industry developments, competitor offerings, and regulatory changes to adapt underwriting strategies proactively.

Financial Performance Contribution: Support the achievement of profitability targets by maintaining a balanced portfolio of risks.

Decision-Making & Escalation

Exercise authority within delegated limits and elevate complex or high-value cases to senior underwriters or management when necessary.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in insurance, Risk Management, Finance, or related field.
• Relevant Professional insurance qualifications.
• Minimum 5 years of underwriting experience in personal lines insurance.
• Commercial experience is advantageous.
• RE5 qualification.
• FAIS compliant.

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
• Commercial and profitability focus.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Customer-centric mindset.
• Ability to balance risk and retention objectives.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Problem-solving ability.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Professional judgement and underwriting discipline.

We look forward to engaging with you!

All appointments will be made in line with FirstRand Group’s Employment Equity plan. The bank supports the recruitment and advancement of individuals with disabilities. In order for us to fulfill this purpose, candidates can disclose their disability information on a voluntary basis. The Bank will keep this information confidential unless we are required by law to disclose this information to other parties.

FirstRand provides a comprehensive range of financial services in South Africa and certain markets in broader Africa. The group also offers certain niche products and services in the UK and India. Listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and the Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX), FirstRand Limited is the largest financial institution by market capitalisation in Africa. The group follows a multi-branding approach. Its portfolio of financial services businesses includes FNB, RMB, WesBank, Ashburton Investments, Aldermore, MotoNovo and DirectAxis. Many are leaders in their respective segments and markets, offering transactional, lending, investment and insurance products and services. The FirstRand Corporate Centre houses many of the critical functions required by a large and complex financial services group. The group's track record of delivering superior returns to shareholders has been achieved through a combination of organic growth, acquisitions, innovation and the creation of completely new businesses. The group’s purpose of delivering Shared Prosperity provides many opportunities for employees to innovate to address social and environmental challenges in our markets. All of our businesses have successful Volunteering programmes which also allow employees to adopt and support causes close to their hearts.