Underwriting Specialist-1

Firstrand; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 850,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

FirstRand Group's FR Life Assurance in Johannesburg seeks an Underwriting Specialist to lead underwriting for life, disability and critical illness, interfacing with Financial Advisors to deliver sound, empathetic decisions.

The role blends medical underwriting, market awareness, and relationship management to translate risk into opportunity and drive product alignment.

Qualifications

• Underwrite life, disability and critical illness within authority limits.
• Educate and empower financial advisors and brokers with underwriting insights.
• Deliver underwriting decisions that balance risk appetite with commercial viability.
• Capture advisor feedback to inform underwriting practices and guidelines.
• Craft underwriting rationales to support sales conversations and build trust.

Responsibilities

• Serve as liaison between underwriting team and Financial Advisors.
• Assess complex life insurance applications with sound technical and commercial judgement.
• Translate risk into opportunities for product positioning and sales.
• Ensure decisions comply with regulatory standards and company policies.
• Collaborate with R&D and other departments to streamline underwriting processes.
• Promote speed and fairness in case decisions.

Skills

Life underwriting

Disability underwriting

Critical illness underwriting

Advisor education

Regulatory compliance

Risk assessment

Education

Grade 12 (NQF 4)

Relevant Degree

Tools

R&D collaboration

Job description

To promote, develop and implement the Company's underwriting philosophy and strategy through the successful delivery of a variety of underwriting functions to maximize performance and achieve company objectives.

Hello Future, Underwriting Specialist,

Welcome to FNB, the home of the #changeables. We design for the shapeshifters and deliver products and services that make us incredibly proud of people that make it happen.

As part of our team in FR Life Assurance, 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.

Job Purpose

As a liaison Underwriter, you will serve as an important interface between the underwriting team and Financial Advisors, ensuring that underwriting decisions are technically sound and commercially aligned. You’ll assess complex life insurance applications and deliver clear empathetic communication to advisors navigating client needs.

This role demands a blend of medical underwriting acumen, market awareness and relationship management. This isn’t just underwriting; it’s about translating risk into opportunity.

Are you someone who can

• Underwrite life, disability, and critical illness within authority limits.

• Deliver nuanced client specific underwriting decisions that reflect both risk appetite and commercial viability.

• Educate and empower financial advisors and brokers with underwriting insights that help them position products more effectively

• Capture market sentiment and advisor feedback to inform underwriting practices and guidelines

• Craft compelling underwriting rationales that support sales conversations and build trust

• Ensure decisions align with regulatory standards and company policies

• Work closely with R&D team and other departments to optimize underwriting processes

• Champion speed and fairness in all case decisions

You will be an ideal candidate if you have:

• Grade 12 (NQF Level 4),

• Relevant Degree will be advantageous

Experience

• Minimal of 10 years life insurance underwriting experience

• A higher / advanced level of product knowledge regarding Lump Sum Disability, Critical Illness, Income Protection, Business Cover, Group Risk, and the assessment and underwriting thereof.

• Assessment of medical, financial, avocation & occupational UW risks

• Business acumen and client centric thinking

• Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced market

• Innovation and forward-thinking underwriting approach

You will have access to

• Opportunities to network and collaborate

• A challenging working environment that is progressive and agile

• Opportunities to innovate where initiative is taken and owned end to end

We can be a match if you have the following:

• Adaptable and curious

• Have a proven successful track record.

• Thrive in a collaborative environment.

• Detail-oriented

• Proactive and accountable

• Calm under pressure

• Collaborative mindset

• Flexible and adaptable in a dynamic work environment

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.

Important Closing Date Note

Take note that applications will not be accepted on the below date and onwards, kindly submit applications ahead of the closing date indicated below.

05/09/26

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.