Underwriting Manager

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,100,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Pension plan

Leave & development opportunities

Cape Town-based employer

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town is seeking an experienced Underwriting Manager to lead our underwriting team and drive profitability in the local portfolio.

You will develop and implement underwriting strategies, mentor a high-performance team, review high-value risks, monitor market trends and regulatory changes, and collaborate with sales and product teams to grow business while ensuring compliance with company policies.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years in insurance underwriting, with 3+ years in leadership.
• Strong risk assessment, pricing, and policy construction across lines.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance/Business/Insurance; ACII is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement underwriting policies to manage risk.
• Lead and mentor a team of underwriters.
• Review high-value risks beyond standard authority.
• Monitor market trends, regulatory changes impacting underwriting decisions.
• Collaborate with sales and product teams to identify opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with underwriting standards and company policies.

Skills

Leadership

Risk assessment

Financial principles

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Business/Insurance

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced and strategic Underwriting Manager to lead their underwriting team in Cape Town. This leadership role is responsible for developing and implementing underwriting strategies, managing risk exposure, and ensuring the profitability of the insurance portfolio. You will oversee a team of underwriters, providing guidance, training, and performance management to achieve departmental objectives. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of underwriting principles, market dynamics, and regulatory requirements, driving growth and maintaining underwriting excellence within the Cape Town market.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute underwriting policies and guidelines to manage risk effectively.


• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of underwriters, fostering a high-performance culture.


• Review and approve complex or high-value risks that fall outside standard underwriting authority.


• Monitor market trends, competitor activities, and regulatory changes impacting underwriting decisions.


• Collaborate with sales and product development teams to identify new business opportunities and refine product offerings.


• Ensure compliance with all underwriting standards, legal requirements, and company policies.

Requirements

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in insurance underwriting, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.


• Proven expertise in risk assessment, pricing, and policy construction across various insurance lines.


• Strong understanding of financial principles and their application to underwriting profitability.


• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.


• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Insurance, or a related field; relevant professional designations (e.g., ACII) are a plus.

Benefits

• Attractive salary and executive bonus structure.


• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and pension plan.


• Generous annual leave and sick leave benefits.


• Opportunities for career advancement and professional development.


• A dynamic and reputable insurance company located in Cape Town.