Head of Underwriting (Short- Term Insurance)

Lets Write Africa's Story Together!

Old Mutual is a firm believer in the African opportunity and our diverse talent reflects this.

Job Description

The successful candidate will be responsible for contributing and implementing the underwriting strategy of the business by shaping the underwriting philosophy and driving cross-functional collaboration to achieve key business outcomes.
The incumbent will be reporting to the Managing Director in our Short-Term Insurance business.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Underwriting Strategy & Performance

• Develop and execute the underwriting strategy aligned to business growth, profitability, and risk objectives.

• Drive performance across key metrics including GWP, loss ratio, retention, and underwriting margin.

• Provide ongoing portfolio oversight to ensure optimization of risk-return outcomes.

Risk Appetite & Reinsurance Management

• Define and maintain the company’s underwriting risk appetite in alignment with capital and profitability objectives.

• Design and oversee a reinsurance programme (treaty and facultative) aligned to the approved risk appetite and effectively manage related service level agreements.

• Ensure effective utilization of reinsurance to protect the balance sheet and optimize retention levels

• Ensure underwriting discipline and adherence to pricing, risk selection, and policy standards.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, internal controls, and underwriting governance standards.

• Embed a strong risk culture across the underwriting function.

Market & Portfolio Analytics

• Conduct market, portfolio, and competitor analysis to inform underwriting strategy and pricing decisions.

• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders - brokers and reinsurers etc.

• Identify trends (claims, pricing, sectors) and take corrective actions to improve underwriting outcomes.

• Timeously prepare comprehensive reports on underwriting activities to management and key stakeholders.

Financial & Operational Management

• Develop and manage the underwriting budget in line with business targets.

• Ensure efficient allocation of resources to support underwriting delivery.

• Drive operational improvements, turnaround times, and service quality.

Leadership & Capability Development

• Provide strategic leadership and direction to the underwriting team.

• Build technical underwriting capability, particularly in complex risk assessment and pricing.

• Drive a high-performance culture aligned to business objective.

REQUIREMENTS: SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Business related degree.

• Minimum of 10 years’ relevant experience.

• At least 5 years in a leadership or management role.

• Fellow of the Insurance Institute of South Africa (preferred)

• Certificate of Proficiency _ Short term Insurance

• Proven track record in managing underwriting portfolios and delivering profitable growth.

• Specialty insurance knowledge.

Skills

Accounting, Budget Management, Change Management, Data Compilation, Executing Plans, Financial Acumen, Governance, Insurance Regulations, Leadership, Management Reporting, Numerical Aptitude, People Management, Policies & Procedures, Presenting Solutions, Professional Presentation, Reinsurance, Servant Leadership, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Technical Underwriting (Inactive)

Competencies

Balances StakeholdersBuilds Effective TeamsBusiness InsightCommunicates EffectivelyEnsures AccountabilityFinancial AcumenInstills TrustManages Ambiguity

Education

Bachelor Of Business (Required), Certificate Of Proficiency: Short-Term Insurance (Required)

Closing Date

30 June 2026 , 23:59

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