Chief Actuary (Regional) | Cape Town or Sandton at Sanlam Group

What will you do?

The Chief Actuary (regional) will play a critical role in ensuring accurate actuarial reserving practices for a large Pan African portfolio of general insurance companies across Africa on local regulations, IFRS4 and IFRS17 basis. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to be part of the team creating a high-functioning actuarial function for the GI portfolio. This position involves working closely with various stakeholders in your allocated region, including other actuarial teams in the group, Finance, Capital Modelling teams, Internal Audit and External Auditors. This will involve compilation of data received from various departments (IT, Legal, Finance, Technical, etc.), which are used to model statistics and probabilities for different types of risk, as well as to maintain various actuarial models. You will also have a team reporting to you. 

What will make you successful in this role?

• Calculation, review and analysis of technical reserves under local regulations, IFRS4 and IFRS17.  
• Refine and further develop tools, process and reporting under IFRS17 to enhance value and accuracy of results. 
• Portfolio analysis: claims experience and profitability.   
• Data analysis: improve data quality, determine model points, and set actuarial assumptions. 
• Produce reports to enable accurate decision making by management and subsequent monitoring of action plans. 
• Work with central management and local management teams to establish a quarterly reserving review process across the portfolio. 
• Drive the relationship with Finance, Pricing, claims handling to ensure holistic approach on reserving and pricing. 
• Assistance with ad hoc actuarial needs from subsidiaries and JV central team. 

Qualification and Experience

• Master's degree: Engineering, Actuarial Science, Statistics or Mathematics 
• Qualified Actuary with 10+ years' experience 
• Insurance company or advisory firm experience 

Knowledge and Skills

• Mastery of statistical and probability calculation tools 
• Analytical skills 
• Synthetic skills 
• Sound knowledge of non-life reserving methods 
• Strong knowledge of statistical software programs (SAS - R) 
• Strong mastery of MS Excel 
• Writing and communication skills 
• Fluent in English 

Personal Attributes

• Good planning skills 
• Leading a team 
• Thoroughness and reliability 
• Attention to detail 
• Ability to see bigger picture and consider implications of results on wider processes and teams 
• Analytical and organisational skills 
• Good interpersonal skills 
• Confidentiality 
• Core Competencies
• Cultivates Innovation 
• Client Focus 
• Drive Results 
• Collaborates 
• Flexibility and adaptability