Underwriting Manager - Commercial Lines

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive compensation

Medical, dental, and vision

Retirement savings plan

Generous PTO and parental leave

Professional growth & leadership dev.

Fully remote work environment

Access to underwriting technology

Dynamic and innovative culture

Annual performance reviews

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an experienced Underwriting Manager to lead a remote, high-performing commercial lines team. You will shape underwriting strategy, set profitability targets, and oversee risk appetite across a diverse product portfolio.

The role emphasizes data-driven decision-making, regulatory compliance, and collaboration with sales to drive growth while leveraging advanced underwriting technology in a remote-first environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, insurance, or related field. MBA or professional designations are desirable.
• 7+ years in commercial lines underwriting, with at least 2 years in a supervisory/management role.
• Expertise in underwriting various commercial lines and achieving profitability targets.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of commercial underwriters to achieve goals.
• Develop and implement underwriting strategies for commercial products.
• Monitor authority, performance metrics, and profitability across the portfolio.
• Identify market trends and opportunities through data and market insights.
• Collaborate with sales/marketing to support growth and client retention.
• Adhere to regulatory requirements and internal policies; deploy new underwriting tech.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Mentoring

Communication

Negotiation

Data-driven decisions

Risk assessment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business / Finance / Insurance

MBA or professional designations (ACII, CPCU)

Tools

Underwriting systems

Data analytics tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in the insurance market, is seeking a seasoned and strategic Underwriting Manager to spearhead their Polokwane commercial lines division. This is a critical, fully remote leadership position, demanding extensive experience in commercial underwriting and a proven ability to manage and mentor a high-performing underwriting team. Operating in a remote-first environment, you will be responsible for developing and executing underwriting strategies, setting profitability targets, and ensuring adherence to risk appetite guidelines across a diverse portfolio of commercial insurance products. You will play a vital role in shaping the future of our client's commercial underwriting operations, driving growth, and maintaining underwriting excellence. The successful candidate will be a proactive leader, adept at leveraging technology and data to inform decision-making and foster a culture of continuous improvement within the virtual team setting. This role offers the unique advantage of a flexible, remote work arrangement, allowing you to contribute significantly from anywhere in Limpopo.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of commercial lines underwriters to achieve individual and departmental goals.
• Develop and implement effective underwriting strategies and guidelines for commercial insurance products.
• Establish and monitor underwriting authority and performance metrics to ensure profitability and growth.
• Analyze market trends, competitor activities, and economic conditions to identify opportunities and risks.
• Review and approve complex commercial insurance applications, providing expert guidance to underwriters.
• Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to support business development initiatives and client retention.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements and internal underwriting policies.
• Drive the adoption of new underwriting technologies and data analytics tools to enhance decision-making.
• Foster strong relationships with brokers, agents, and other distribution partners.
• Contribute to product development and pricing strategies for the commercial lines portfolio.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Insurance, or a related field; MBA or relevant professional designations (e.g., ACII, CPCU) are highly desirable.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in commercial lines underwriting, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or management capacity.
• Demonstrated expertise in underwriting various commercial insurance lines (e.g., General Liability, Property, Workers' Compensation, Commercial Auto).
• Proven track record of achieving underwriting profitability and growth targets.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in underwriting systems, risk assessment tools, and data analysis techniques.
• Ability to think strategically and make sound, data-driven decisions.
• Excellent understanding of the insurance market and regulatory landscape.
• Proven ability to effectively lead and manage a remote team.
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills.

Benefits

• Highly competitive executive salary and bonus structure.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings plan with company contributions.
• Generous paid time off and parental leave.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
• Fully remote work environment, promoting work-life balance.
• Access to leading-edge underwriting technology and resources.
• Dynamic and innovative company culture.
• Annual performance reviews with clear advancement pathways.
• Employee assistance program and wellness initiatives.