Actuarial Analyst - CEO's Office at Discovery Limited

Key Purpose

• The Actuarial Analyst is a high‑impact role within the office of the CEO reporting to the Executive Associate of Discovery Insure, working at the centre of executive decision‑making. The role supports the CEO, Executive Associate and Senior leaders to deliver rigorous analysis, structured problem‑solving, and execution  across priority strategic initiatives. The Actuarial Analyst combines strong analytical capability with operational support and sound business judgement to inform decision making, shape business performance and drive strategic initiatives.

Areas of responsibility may include but are not limited to:

Strategic Advisory & Executive Support

• Generate data‑driven insights and scenario analyses as input into strategic recommendations for Exco discussions.
• Prepare executive briefs, board papers, presentations, and analytical reports.
• Coordinate strategic initiatives across actuarial, underwriting, finance, risk, and operations teams.

Actuarial Analytics & Technical Expertise

• Develop dashboards and insight packs used in executive and governance forums.
• Support evaluation of strategic initiatives and business cases.
• Strengthen profitability monitoring through portfolio reviews and performance dashboards.
• Ensure actuarial models are accurate, updated, and aligned with professional standards.

Business Performance & Insights

• Analyse trends across claims, underwriting, growth, and retention.
• Identify improvement opportunities and help design interventions with business units.
• Provide insights on market movements, emerging risks, and competitor behaviour.

Project Management & Delivery

• Lead or assist with cross-functional projects (e.g., product development, digital transformation, pricing system upgrades).
• Track project milestones, risks, and outcomes and provide regular updates to the Executive.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Liaise with actuarial teams, data science, underwriting, finance, and risk departments.
• Support communication between the Executive Associate, the Discovery Insure executive committee, senior leaders and other stakeholders including regulators, auditors, and industry bodies.

Knowledge and Skills:

Discovery Insure’s Actuarial Analysts must be exceptional. They must demonstrate:

• Strong actuarial modelling and analytical capabilities.
• Proficiency in actuarial tools and analytics software (e.g., SAS, SQL, R, Python, Emblem, Radar, Power BI).
• Excellent data interpretation and financial analysis skills.
• Understanding of underwriting principles, claims behaviour, and insurance product structures.
• Experience in pricing, reserving, capital modelling, or risk management - Advantageous.
• Exposure to regulatory frameworks (SAM, IFRS 17) - Advantageous.
• Experience working directly with senior leadership - Advantageous.

Education and Experience

Education:

• Matric (Essential)
• Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science or related quantitative field.
• Good exam progress or a nearly qualified Actuary (e.g., ASSA, IFoA). 

Minimum Experience:             

• Consulting experience with a top tier consulting firm such as McKinsey, Bain, BCG etc. preferable.
• Minimum 4 years strong analytical or business focus, and a proven record of academic excellence. Extensive business and/or technical experience with a proven track record of innovation, entrepreneurship, delivery and performance across multidisciplinary areas and projects.
• Experience in actuarial, consulting, strategy, analytics, or commercial roles within financial services is advantageous.