Underwriting Manager (Specialty Lines)

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive bonus package

Medical coverage

Retirement annuity

Life Insurance

Leadership training

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Underwriting Manager to head the Specialty Lines division in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. The role focuses on leading a team of underwriters, shaping underwriting strategies, and overseeing complex risk pricing across niche markets.

The ideal candidate has a strong track record in specialty lines, leadership, and market insight into Mpumalanga. This on-site role offers executive compensation with performance-based bonuses and solid benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; related field preferred.
• Minimum 7 years in insurance underwriting, with 3+ years in supervision/management.
• Proven expertise in specialty lines (e.g., Professional Indemnity, Cyber Liability, Construction).
• Strong analytical, decision-making and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills; able to build relationships with brokers.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of specialty lines underwriters.
• Develop and implement underwriting strategies and guidelines for specialty products.
• Oversee assessment and pricing of complex risks in specialty lines.
• Monitor portfolio performance, profitability and growth targets.
• Ensure adherence to underwriting authorities and risk appetite.
• Collaborate with brokers and agents to foster strong relationships.
• Identify new business opportunities and market trends in specialty lines.
• Manage underwriting workflow for efficient processing of applications.
• Contribute to product development for specialty offerings.
• Report underwriting performance to senior management.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Analytical skills

Decision making

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Relationship building

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Risk Management, or related field

Tools

Underwriting systems

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a specialist insurance provider, is seeking an experienced and dynamic Underwriting Manager to lead their Specialty Lines division in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga . This leadership role requires a deep understanding of niche insurance markets, strong analytical skills, and the ability to manage and develop a team of underwriters. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing underwriting strategies, managing portfolio performance, and ensuring profitable growth within specialized insurance sectors. This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned underwriter to take on a leadership position in a growing market, based in the gateway to the Kruger National Park, Nelspruit .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of specialty lines underwriters.
• Develop and implement underwriting strategies and guidelines for specialty insurance products.
• Oversee the assessment and pricing of complex risks within specialty lines.
• Monitor portfolio performance, profitability, and growth targets.
• Ensure adherence to underwriting authorities and risk appetite.
• Collaborate with brokers and agents to foster strong business relationships.
• Identify new business opportunities and market trends within specialty lines.
• Manage the underwriting workflow and ensure efficient processing of applications.
• Contribute to product development and refinement for specialty insurance offerings.
• Report on underwriting performance and key metrics to senior management.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Risk Management, or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in insurance underwriting, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Proven expertise in underwriting specialty lines of business (e.g., Professional Indemnity, Cyber Liability, Construction).
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• In-depth understanding of the insurance market and regulatory environment in Mpumalanga .
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with brokers and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in underwriting systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience working within the Nelspruit business community is a significant advantage.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive executive salary with a performance-based bonus structure.
• Benefits include comprehensive medical coverage, a generous retirement annuity, and life insurance.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and development are available, including leadership training programs.
• The role is office-based in our modern Nelspruit facility, providing a collaborative and focused working environment.