Chief Financial Officer: Santam Re

Full Job Description

The CFO: Santam Re is responsible for the full financial function within the Santam Re business including financial management and reporting, financial data management, risk and regulatory reporting and the risk and governance of the finance function. The CFO: Santam Re will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the delivery of quality, accurate and complete financial reporting in compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the Santam Group’s management reporting methodology, that will enable the understanding of the Santam Re business and enhance the strategic, risk and financial management of the business. The CFO: Santam Re will therefore be an integral part of the Santam Re Executive Team that develops and implements the business unit’s strategic playbook. This role will be based in Cape Town. 

The key responsibilities include the following:

• Monthly financial management reporting
  • Reporting that is in accordance with the Santam Group requirements and accounting policies, including IFRS and Regulatory requirements.
  • Ensure accurate technical accounting of all reinsurance arrangements.
  • Setting up processes to ensure efficient and effective delivery of reporting requirements by Business Units within the required Group Reporting timelines.
  • Support the financial reporting requirement where business change necessitates reporting changes.
  • Variance analysis and reporting of revenue and expenses as well as management of the head office cost allocation rules relevant to the Santam Re business.
• Forecast, Budgeting, Scenario planning and Analysis
  • Effective and efficient monthly forecasting and annual budgeting. 
  • Supporting the Santam Re Business with financial planning, scenario planning, and strategic business case development.
• Statutory and Regulatory reporting
  • Implement and manage accurate Statutory (IFRS) and Regulatory reporting processes. 
  • Manage the review and audit engagements conducted by the Santam group external auditors.
• Other Business Responsibilities
  • Team management, training, mentoring, and coaching.
  • Business Unit Strategic Projects Lead including business case development.
  • Strategy management reporting.
  • Coordinate the monthly reporting to the Santam Re Business and Santam Group Exco and alignment with Group Finance.
  • Coordinate the quarterly reporting to the Santam Group.
  • Ad hoc data analytic sand reporting.
• People leadership and management
  • Lead and manage a diverse team.
  • Drive employee engagement, succession and development.
• Trusted counsel to the CEO and Santam Re Exco

• Minimum 10 years of experience in a senior financial role
• Experience in setting up financial reporting processes
• Experience in data management and analytics is strongly recommended.
• Experience in reinsurance technical accounting and Enterprise Risk management reporting would be advantageous. 
• Insurance industry experience is strongly recommended

• Experience with financial reporting systems
• Excellent analytical skills and logical reasoning required
• Strategy development and implementation
• Insurance knowledge strongly recommended
• Excellent reporting and communication skills required 
• Strong relationship management skills required
• Ability to work under pressure 
• Strong resilience and a positive attitude is required
• Be able to analyse information and have attention to detail 
• Self-confidence & assertiveness
• Leading and deciding
• Planning and organising
• Analysing and interpreting
• Creating and conceptualizing
• Adherence to principles and values

Cultivates innovation - Contributing strategically

Customer focus - Contributing strategically

Drives results - Contributing strategically

Collaborates - Contributing strategically

Being resilient - Contributing strategically

Santam is the market leader in the general insurance industry in Southern Africa. We are a large, diversified, expanding and transforming company and whilst based in South Africa, we are rapidly moving into a number of emerging markets, both in Africa and Asia. 

Our success is rooted in our passion for our clients and everything we do is centered on our delivery of Insurance Good and Proper. We’re about people. People drive our business so it follows that we want to recruit the best people possible whether they work for us permanently or for a short time as temporary employees. 

At Santam, we are committed to transformation and embracing diversity. This commitment is what drives us to achieve a diverse workplace with employment equity as a key goal to create an inclusive workforce, representative of the demographics of our society. In achieving our employment equity goals, we give preference to applicants from the designated groups in alignment with the Divisions Employment Equity targets.

Our recruitment process

Step 8

You made it. Here we ensure we receive all your documents to get you onto our payroll system.

Our recruitment process

Step 1

Our vacancies are advertised between 3-5 days depending on the market availability of the skills required.

Our recruitment process

Step 2

Could take a couple of days depending on the volume and the screening process, which various according to the complexity of the role.

Our recruitment process

Step 3

Long listed candidates are sent to the hiring manager to review and consider for the next stage of the selection process.

Our recruitment process

Step 4

Candidates may be contacted for a short screening interview to get to know them better and to ask any clarity seeking questions.

Our recruitment process

Step 5

We use a competency interview model. Interview dates will be confirmed via e-mail. During the interview you will be introduced to the panel and the process will be explained. Remain calm and sell yourself. This is our opportunity to match your skills to the job. You only get one shot!

Our recruitment process

Step 6

Should we like what you bring to the table, depending on the job you are being considered for, you may be invited to complete a psychometric assessment. Further employment checks are conducted the ensure the validity of your credentials.

Our recruitment process

Step 7

Prior to an offer being made, there may be a second interview to meet with the Head of Department.Should there be a need for any further interviews, be sure to bring the same charm that got you through your first interview.

Our recruitment process

Step 8

You made it. Here we ensure we receive all your documents to get you onto our payroll system.

Our recruitment process

Step 1

Our vacancies are advertised between 3-5 days depending on the market availability of the skills required.

Our recruitment process

Step 2

Could take a couple of days depending on the volume and the screening process, which various according to the complexity of the role.

Our recruitment process

Step 3

Long listed candidates are sent to the hiring manager to review and consider for the next stage of the selection process.

Our recruitment process

Step 4

Candidates may be contacted for a short screening interview to get to know them better and to ask any clarity seeking questions.

Our recruitment process

Step 5

We use a competency interview model. Interview dates will be confirmed via e-mail. During the interview you will be introduced to the panel and the process will be explained. Remain calm and sell yourself. This is our opportunity to match your skills to the job. You only get one shot!

Our recruitment process

Step 6

Should we like what you bring to the table, depending on the job you are being considered for, you may be invited to complete a psychometric assessment. Further employment checks are conducted the ensure the validity of your credentials.

Our recruitment process

Step 7

Prior to an offer being made, there may be a second interview to meet with the Head of Department.Should there be a need for any further interviews, be sure to bring the same charm that got you through your first interview.

Our recruitment process

Step 8

You made it. Here we ensure we receive all your documents to get you onto our payroll system.

There is not just one way to be successful at Santam, nor is there one way to interview with us. Interviewing is a two-way process - it helps us learn about you, and it helps you learn about us, our people, and what you could do here.

Santam has been officially recognised by the Top Employers Institute as a Top Employer 2024 for excellence in people practices. This is the eighth consecutive year that we have achieved this accolade.