41 Underwriting Manager jobs in South Africa

Our client, a leading Banking and Finance Giant, has a fantastic opportunity for an Underwriting Manager who will plan and control the Underwriting Department to profitably grow the risk book on an underwriting and administration basis, in line with the company’s business strategy.

• Ensure the implementation and development of underwriting management strategies.
• Manage and monitor short term underwriting requirements and decisions to ensure cost effectiveness of pricing.
• Provide input into budget determination around headcount and cost of landing business.
• Ensure transformational targets are met.
• Contribute to a culture of transformation by participating in the company’s culture building initiatives, business strategy, and CSI.
• Stay abreast of developments in field of expertise, ensuring personal and professional growth.
• Lead organisational change initiatives by providing direction and aligning to strategy and culture.
• Ensure issues raised in culture surveys are addressed and results are improved.
• Deliver a world class service through others by ensuring a client centric culture through required interventions.
• Identify areas of resource inefficiencies and promote optimization through multi-skilling and addressing capacity gaps.
• Manage adherence to agreed SLAs.
• Update any service agreements/contracts in place as and when required, including annual review.
• Make formal presentations to all business stakeholders to promote and enhance stronger business relationships.
• Collaborate with internal and external clients through attending business meetings, presentations, and underwriting specific seminars.
• Manage and monitor short term underwriting decisions.
• Accept and authorize high levels of risks within company guidelines.
• Develop, implement, and update the underwriting rules outcomes based on current approach to specific impairments.
• Conduct underwriting audits bi-annually to ensure underwriting philosophy and decision-making is in keeping with the risk appetite.
• Ensure automated workflow within the administration system is delivering the desired outcome.
• Optimize efficiency and embed correct values by ensuring direct reports understand and support the company’s vision, values, and strategy.
• Manage performance of direct reports and hold them accountable for managing the performance of their reports by implementing performance agreements and ensuring a clear vision.
• Maintain a high performing team by identifying a talent pool through conducting career conversations and using the talent grid principles and developing talent retention programmes.
• Build depth of skills and knowledge in the team.
• Ensure continuous improvement goals are achieved.

• Bachelors Degree in Insurance or Risk Management or similar qualification (NQF 7)
• Higher Certificate or Advanced Certificate in Short Term Insurance and/or Underwriting qualification
• RE5 and/or RE 1
• Essential Certifications
• FAIS Regulatory Examination 1 qualification
• Membership of the Insurance Institute of South Africa (AIISA)
• Preferred Certifications
• Membership of the Insurance Institute of SA (AIISA)

• 7 to 10 years in Short Term Underwriting (Personal Lines) with a minimum of 3 years in a Senior underwriter/management role.

• Business administration and management
• Change management
• Financial Accounting Principles
• Governance, Risk and Controls
• Organisational behaviour theory
• Relevant regulatory knowledge
• Strategic planning
• Management information and reporting principles, tools and mechanisms
• Quality management and lean methodologies
• Medical and Financial Knowledge

• Adaptability
• Aligning Performance for Success
• Coaching
• Decision Making
• Building partnerships
• Driving for Results
• Planning and Organizing

Our client, a leading Banking and Finance Giant, has a fantastic opportunity for an Underwriting Manager who will plan and control the Underwriting Department to profitably grow the risk book on an underwriting and administration basis; in line with the company’s business strategy.

• Ensure the implementation and development of underwriting management strategies.
• Manage and monitor short term underwriting requirements and decisions to ensure cost effectiveness of pricing.
• Provide input into budget determination around headcount and cost of landing business.
• Ensure transformational targets are met.
• Contribute to a culture of transformation by participating in the company’s culture building initiatives, business strategy, and CSI.
• Stay abreast of developments in field of expertise, ensuring personal and professional growth.
• Lead organisational change initiatives by providing direction and aligning to strategy and culture.
• Ensure issues raised in culture surveys are addressed and results are improved.
• Deliver a world class service through others by ensuring a client centric culture through required interventions.
• Identify areas of resource inefficiencies and promote optimization through multi-skilling and addressing capacity gaps.
• Manage adherence to agreed SLAs.
• Update any service agreement/contracts in place as and when required, including annual review.
• Make formal presentations to all business stakeholders to promote and enhance stronger business relationships.
• Collaborate with internal and external clients through attending business meetings and presentations and attending underwriting specific seminars.
• Manage and monitor short term underwriting decisions.
• Accept and authorize high levels risks within company guidelines.
• Develop, implement and update the underwriting rules outcomes based on current approach to specific impairments.
• Conduct underwriting audits bi-annually to ensure underwriting philosophy and decision-making in keeping with the risk appetite.
• Ensure automated workflow within the administration system is delivering the desired outcome.
• Optimize efficiency and embed correct values by ensuring direct reports understand and support the company’s vision, values and strategy.
• Manage performance of direct reports and hold them accountable for managing the performance of their reports by implementing performance agreements and ensuring a clear vision.
• Maintain a high performing team by identifying a talent pool through conducting career conversations and using the talent grid principles and developing talent retention programmes.
• Build depth of skills and knowledge in the team.
• Ensure continuous improvement goals are achieved.

• Bachelors Degree in Insurance or Risk Management or similar qualification (NQF 7)
• Higher Certificate or Advanced Certificate in Short Term Insurance and/or Underwriting qualification
• RE5 and/or RE 1
• Essential Certifications
• FAIS Regulatory Examination 1 qualification
• Membership of the Insurance Institute of South Africa (AIISA)
• Preferred Certifications
• Membership of the Insurance Institute of SA (AIISA)

• 7 to 10 years in Short Term Underwriting (Personal Lines) with a minimum of 3 years in a Senior underwriter/management role.

• Business administration and management
• Change management
• Financial Accounting Principles
• Governance, Risk and Controls
• Organisational behaviour theory
• Relevant regulatory knowledge
• Strategic planning
• Management information and reporting principles, tools and mechanisms
• Quality management and lean methodologies
• Medical and Financial Knowledge
• Behavioural Competencies
• Adaptability
• Aligning Performance for Success
• Coaching
• Decision Making
• Building partnerships
• Driving for Results
• Planning and Organizing

Responsible for the management of the Underwriting administration function of the underwriting team in respect of analysing risks, providing technical assistance, tracking of administration processes and ensuring adherence to professional standards of service, underwriting mandates and compliance with all legislative and licensing requirements.

Disclaimer As an applicant, please verify the legitimacy of this job advert on our company career page.

Role Purpose
Responsible for the management of the Underwriting administration function of the underwriting team in respect of analysing risks, providing technical assistance, tracking of administration processes and ensuring adherence to professional standards of service, underwriting mandates and compliance with all legislative and licensing requirements.

Requirements

• Matric
• RE5
• NQF level 5
• Further tertiary qualification advantages
• At least 10 years' Marine experience as a Senior Underwriter
• At least 5 years' of managerial experience

Duties & Responsibilities

• Responsible for monitoring Operating System performance
• Identify and drive system projects in conjunction with GGI Operations Team, to meet operational requirements of Marine Division
• Ensure staff receive training where required and are proficient in processing administrative duties on systems
• Responsible for overseeing all aspects of policy administration
• Ensure correct capturing of policy information on the system by underwriters
• Ensure SASRIA is issued and raised and all policies
• Ensure timeous raising of all debits
• Reconciling and raising of Binder Bdxs
• Authorising release of payments on both Ski and Thryve systems
• Approve refund requests from Underwriting Team and authorise
• Responsible for Credit Control for Marine Division
• Responsible for collating all policy and underwriting data for the Division
• Compile Loss Ratio Reports
• Provide Renewal Lists to Underwriters
• Responsible for Onboarding and Offboarding of employees
• Compiling of CBR Reports for the Division
• Providing management with monthly reports on new business, credit control, renewal performanceAnalysing and profiling of risk within allocated mandates of underwriters
• Ensure rating guidelines and underwriting guidelines are followed
• Maintain new business register of all quotes
• Ensure underwriters manage diary system for new business
• Monitor treaty adherence on all new business proposals
• Sign off of New Business written by underwriters after quality checks completed
• Ensure each underwriters new business is recorded
• Ensure correct format of documentation is used by underwriters
• Management of capturing of client information on operating systema, raising of premiums and issuing of policies.
• Printing of renewal lists for team and maintaining renewal periods prior to due dates
• Weekly management of renewals with team in underwriting meeting
• Provide support to Underwriters on renewals
• Ensure all outstanding figures are received during the required timeframe
• Pleasurecraft refunds – check and sign off for underwriter
• Cargo endorsements/cancellations/refunds – manually processed and forwarded to management for sign off prior to onward transmission to the Intermediary.
• Ensure surveys are requested by Underwriters, where required, by the Underwriting guidelines
• Ensure unpaid policies are notified to intermediaries
• Management of cancelling policies due to unmet debit orders
• Management of timeous Issuance of SASRIA Coupons / endorsements by underwriters
• Liaising with relevant divisions on SASRIA issues and advising management of progress

Competencies

• Business Acumen
• Client/ Stakeholder Commitment
• Results & Solutions focused driven
• Leads Change and Innovation
• Collaboration
• Impact and Influence
• Networking
• Diversity and Inclusiveness

We're on the look out for a
Technical Underwriting Manager
to lead our team at Howdie Insurance Administrators. This isn't just a management role; it's a chance to shape our underwriting function and foster a collaborative environment where our team can thrive. This is a full-time, in-office position, as we believe our best work is done together, in person, where we can share ideas and solve problems as a team. If you're passionate about insurance and have a knack for leadership, we'd love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership:
  Lead and mentor a team of underwriters, ensuring all business adheres to company mandates and risk appetite.
• Referral Management:
  Operate within our Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to make timely decisions on referrals and identify outdated referral processes that can be improved.
• Underwriting Excellence:
  Review and approve quotes, identify opportunities for discounts to improve closing rates, and provide alternative solutions for non-conventional coverage, like Alternative Risk Transfer (ART), to strengthen broker relationships.
• Process Improvement:
  Proactively identify shortcomings in existing business practices and implement new underwriting structures, guidelines, and procedures to improve scheme turnaround times.
• Technical Expertise:
  Serve as a technical resource for your team, assisting with complex queries on new quotes, policy additions, and technical referrals.
• Renewals and Claims:
  Provide input on renewal terms and increases, and assist with multi-claimant actions. Offer underwriting insights for technical or "grey area" claims.
• Performance and Development:
  Manage and report on team performance, set clear objectives, and ensure team members have documented and monitored development plans.
• Relationship Management:
  Maintain and build strong relationships with external partners.
• Communication:
  Lead monthly team meetings, ensuring actions are recorded and executed.

Requirements

• Experience:
  Minimum of 5 years of experience in underwriting.
• Qualifications:
  Completed NQF 5/6 qualification.
• Location:
  Must reside in Johannesburg.
• Transportation:
  Must have own reliable transport.
• Work Style:
  This is a
  fully on-site role
  . We believe in the power of in-person collaboration and a strong team culture. We're looking for someone who shares this vision and is excited to work in a dynamic office environment.

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Overview

Underwriting Manager / Team Leader

Lead a high-performing underwriting team and drive portfolio excellence

Johannesburg or Durban | R30 000 - R35 000

Our client is a specialist in short-term insurance solutions, known for their innovative products and client-first approach. They pride themselves on delivering tailored risk solutions across personal, commercial, and specialist lines, with a strong emphasis on compliance, service quality, and sustainable growth. Joining this team means being part of a forward-thinking business where leadership and expertise make a tangible impact.

In this role, you will lead and mentor a team of underwriters, ensuring efficient handling of policies, renewals, and endorsements. You will oversee underwriting across a range of product lines, implement processes to improve efficiency, and ensure compliance with all regulatory standards. Acting as the go-to point for escalations and complex risks, youll play a key role in delivering tailored solutions that protect clients while driving portfolio performance.

• 3-5 years of experience in a management or underwriting leadership role
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of underwriters to achieve operational targets
• Oversee underwriting for personal, commercial, body corporate, and specialist liability cover
• Implement and maintain underwriting policies, procedures, and service standards
• Ensure compliance with FAIS, FSCA, and Treating Customers Fairly requirements
• Handle escalations, complex risks, and provide decision-making support
• Monitor portfolio performance, identify trends, and present management reports
• Drive efficiency through process improvements and system optimisation
• Contribute to product development and enhancement to meet evolving client needs

• NQF4 qualification (150 credits) essential
• RE5 certification essential
• Up-to-date CPD essential
• 3-5 years experience in an underwriting management or team leader role (advantageous)
• Strong technical knowledge across personal, commercial, and liability cover
• Excellent leadership, mentoring, and people management skills
• Analytical mindset with a proactive approach to risk and process improvement
• Strong communication and relationship management skills with brokers, clients, and insurers

Underwriting Manager / Team Leader
Lead a high-performing underwriting team and drive portfolio excellence
Johannesburg or Durban | R30 000 - R35 000

About Our Client
Our client is a specialist in short-term insurance solutions, known for their innovative products and client-first approach. They pride themselves on delivering tailored risk solutions across personal, commercial, and specialist lines, with a strong emphasis on compliance, service quality, and sustainable growth. Joining this team means being part of a forward-thinking business where leadership and expertise make a tangible impact.

The Role: Underwriting Manager / Team Leader
In this role, you will lead and mentor a team of underwriters, ensuring efficient handling of policies, renewals, and endorsements. You will oversee underwriting across a range of product lines, implement processes to improve efficiency, and ensure compliance with all regulatory standards. Acting as the go-to point for escalations and complex risks, youll play a key role in delivering tailored solutions that protect clients while driving portfolio performance.

Key Responsibilities

• 3-5 years of experience in a management or underwriting leadership role

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of underwriters to achieve operational targets

• Oversee underwriting for personal, commercial, body corporate, and specialist liability cover

• Implement and maintain underwriting policies, procedures, and service standards

• Ensure compliance with FAIS, FSCA, and Treating Customers Fairly requirements

• Handle escalations, complex risks, and provide decision-making support

• Monitor portfolio performance, identify trends, and present management reports

• Drive efficiency through process improvements and system optimisation

• Contribute to product development and enhancement to meet evolving client needs

About You

• NQF4 qualification (150 credits) essential

• RE5 certification essential

• Up-to-date CPD essential

• 3-5 years experience in an underwriting management or team leader role (advantageous)

• Strong technical knowledge across personal, commercial, and liability cover

• Excellent leadership, mentoring, and people management skills

• Analytical mindset with a proactive approach to risk and process improvement

• Strong communication and relationship management skills with brokers, clients, and insurers

The role

Senior Underwriting Manager: Commercial Lines

An opportunity is available for a Senior Underwriting Manager: Commercial Lines to join the Santam Client Solutions (SCS) Commercial Lines (CL) business portfolio. This is a permanant position to be based at either our Sandton, Gauteng or Tygervalley, Western Cape office.

What will you do?

To manage Santam Client Solutions (SCS) Commercial Lines (CL) business portfolio to ensure achievement of SCS's profitable growth targets. Create, develop and grow a world class underwriting team in support of the SCS strategic objective to grow in its target markets through the multiple distribution channels within SCS. Manage and deliver on the following areas:

• CL insurance classes performance with regards to premium growth and profitability
• Ownership of the full underwriting functions, including Underwriting Guidelines for Santam SCS and where appropriate collaboration with peers within Santam.

What will make you successful in this role?

Key accountabilities and responsibilities include:

• Serve as the technical expert for Commercial Lines underwriting

• Achieve SCS financial targets by working with internal stakeholders, including Pricing, Product Management, Distribution, and Operations, to drive profitable and sustainable growth.

• Implement strategic initiatives to meet financial goals, including designing SCS products for target markets and distribution channels in partnership with Product Management.
• Develop and manage underwriting rules and processes to ensure they align with Santam's risk appetite and facilitate ease of business.
• Draft and update policy wordings, conditions, and rules to minimize underwriting leakage, enhance client experience, and comply with legislative changes.
• Collaborate with SCS Pricing to set and align rating parameters and underwriting rules based on data analysis.
• Manage underwriting authority and compliance, balancing flexibility with Santam's profit and growth targets.
• Stay informed on global underwriting trends for Commercial lines risks, exploring opportunities for innovation or risk adjustments in the South African market.
• Develop new solutions and innovations to maintain Santam's market leadership across segments.
• Engage with Santam Group's expert underwriters to ensure optimal client and broker solutions.
• Ensure offerings are competitive and market-related, achieving the required return on investment.
• Drive and manage the achievement of SCS's Commercial lines business growth targets, balancing profitability across business classes.
• Address profit and growth challenges with solutions such as improved underwriting rules, automation, and risk models.
• Collaborate with Operations, Distribution, and external stakeholders on complex underwriting issues to secure buy-in and identify growth opportunities.
• Implement and oversee adherence to underwriting guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Approve technical policy wordings, underwriting manuals, and reinsurance processes.
• Report on compliance with underwriting guidelines in collaboration with SBS Governance.
• Assess and discuss reinsurance programs with Santam Reinsurance for optimal structures.
• Represent Santam at industry forums and SAIA as needed.
• Influence external stakeholders on general insurance and risk relevance.
• Build and lead an effective SCS CL Underwriting team, fostering technical expertise and managing talent for succession through coaching, training and knowledge sharing.
• Inspire and motivate staff to manage turnover and compete for talent.
• Conduct regular performance reviews
• Provide guidance on complex risks and insurance matters to internal staff.

Qualification and Experience

• Relevant insurance qualification e.g. AIISA or FIISA or similar is essential.
• Proven track record of at least 6 years' experience within a Commercial Underwriting environment, of which at least 2 years' management of an underwriting function.
• Good knowledge of Commercial underwriting is essential.
• Commercial technical underwriting expertise.
• Knowledge of (and understanding of the impact of) the relevant legislation on the business e.g. Building regulations etc.
• Advance Computer literacy (MS Word, Excel & PowerPoint)

Knowledge and Skills

• Advanced Excel
• All policy administration and quoting systems of Santam (advantageous)
• Management experience in Underwriting
• Excellent English communication & report-writing skills
• Presentation skills
• Establish interpersonal relationship, negotiating and networking skills
• Ability to influence
• Ability to work under pressure with appropriate prioritisation skills
• Results-orientated and deadline driven
• Good analytical skills and problem-solving abilities
• Skilled in leading and coaching staff
• Creativity and ability to innovate and find new solutions to new challenges
• Able to organise own and others workloads to achieve priorities and objectives
• Demonstrate capability to think of the organisation holistically

Who are we

With over 107 years of experience, Santam is Africa's leading general insurance company with a market share exceeding 24% in South Africa. Our client solutions business leads with a culture and work environment that truly provides meaningful opportunities for personal and professional growth. This is a contributing factor to Santam being recognised this year, and for the fourth consecutive year, as a Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute, the only general insurer in South Africa to achieve this rating.

This speaks volumes about our focus on best people practices, as well as our commitment to optimising and improving our business performance by selecting employees who are ready to thrive and perform with purpose.

Santam Client Solutions (SCS) Underwriting is a key insurance capability of Santam's SCS business unit, ensuring the achievement of the collective growth and profit responsibilities. Close collaboration with internal stakeholders, such as Actuarial, Operations, Distribution and Claims is required, to achieve these financial targets. And similarly, a proper understand of the needs of external stakeholders and our clients.