Underwriting Manager

Placements24; Kempton Park; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive package

Career growth

Medical benefits

Retirement plan

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa is seeking an experienced Underwriting Manager to lead our client’s underwriting team in Gauteng. You will set standards, drive profitable risk selection, and partner with sales, claims, and product teams to deliver on business goals.

This senior role demands 7+ years in underwriting, with supervisory experience, AU/CPCU advantageous, strong decision making and leadership. The position offers a competitive package and opportunities for growth in a dynamic insurance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree requirement and 7+ years in underwriting.
• 3+ years in supervisory/management role.
• In-depth knowledge of property, casualty, life, and health lines.
• Strong risk management, financial analysis, and underwriting best practices.
• Proven leadership and staff development skills.
• Excellent decision-making, negotiation, and communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of insurance underwriters, setting performance goals and conducting reviews.
• Develop and implement underwriting policies, guidelines, and procedures for consistency and profitability.
• Review and approve complex or high-value applications, making sound risk assessment decisions.
• Monitor underwriting performance metrics and drive improvements with corrective actions.
• Collaborate with sales and claims to ensure alignment and provide underwriting support.
• Stay informed on market trends, regulatory changes, and competitor activities affecting underwriting.
• Manage underwriting aspects of new product development and enhancements.
• Conduct audits of underwriting files to ensure compliance and guideline adherence.
• Foster strong relationships with brokers and agents, delivering exceptional service.

Skills

Leadership

Underwriting

Risk assessment

Financial analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Insurance, or a related field

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the insurance landscape, is seeking an experienced and strategic Underwriting Manager to lead their team in Tembisa, Gauteng. This role is critical in overseeing the underwriting process, ensuring profitable growth, and maintaining the integrity of our risk selection. The successful candidate will be responsible for setting underwriting standards, managing a team of underwriters, and collaborating with other departments to achieve business objectives. This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned professional to make a significant impact in a challenging and rewarding environment. We are looking for a leader with a deep understanding of insurance principles and a proven ability to drive performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of insurance underwriters, setting performance goals and conducting regular reviews.
• Develop and implement underwriting policies, guidelines, and procedures to ensure consistency and profitability.
• Review and approve complex or high-value insurance applications, making sound risk assessment decisions.
• Monitor underwriting performance metrics and identify areas for improvement, implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Collaborate with sales and claims departments to ensure alignment and provide expert underwriting support.
• Stay abreast of market trends, regulatory changes, and competitor activities impacting the underwriting function.
• Manage the underwriting aspects of new product development and existing product enhancements.
• Conduct regular audits of underwriting files to ensure compliance and adherence to guidelines.
• Foster strong relationships with brokers and agents, providing them with exceptional service and support.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Insurance, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in insurance underwriting, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or management capacity.
• In-depth knowledge of various insurance lines (e.g., property, casualty, life, health).
• Strong understanding of risk management principles, financial analysis, and underwriting best practices.
• Proven leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop staff.
• Excellent decision‑making and problem‑solving abilities.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in underwriting software and relevant business applications.
• Relevant professional designations (e.g., AU, CPCU) are highly advantageous.

Benefits

• This role comes with a highly competitive salary package, including an attractive annual remuneration, performance incentives, and comprehensive medical and retirement benefits.
• Our client invests in its employees' growth through continuous training programs and provides ample opportunities for career advancement within the organization.
• The position is based in Tembisa, Gauteng, offering a stable and supportive work environment.
• We provide a strong work‑life balance and promote a culture of collaboration and professional excellence.