Chief Underwriter at Guardrisk

Introduction    
The Chief Underwriter will have overall responsible for the management, planning and control of the underwriting division, SASRIA and reinsurance by applying knowledge and expertise in systems, market interface and financial implications of risks to create shareholder value. 

Role Purpose    

• The Chief Underwriter will have overall responsible for the management, planning and control of the underwriting division, SASRIA and reinsurance by applying knowledge and expertise in systems, market interface and financial implications of risks to create shareholder value. 

Requirements    

• Completed tertiary qualification
• Post graduate qualification desired
• FAIS Full Credits qualification
• RE 1
• At least 10 years Underwriting Experience in an insurance or financial service industry
• 8 years senior leadership experience
• A strong understanding of the South African current and future insurance regulations

Duties & Responsibilities    

• Develop, implement and monitor business objectives, policies and standard operating procedures for the department, in accordance with industry standards to ensure the department remains competitive and relevant in the industry.
• Participate in setting guidelines for underwriting principles to be applied consistently in the business and ensures governance and controls are in place to manage risks.
• Examine and resolve all escalations and drive efficiency through enhancement of processes and systems to address these issues.
• Establish and promote healthy business processes that ensure efficient and effective client delivery within set expectations and agreed performance standards in the department.
• Measure and control the quality and efficiency of the underwriting function, to drive performance and service excellence
• Review all risks that fall outside the acceptable risk tolerance of underwriters within the team.
• Co-ordinate and supervise approval of policies, endorsements, certificates and all underwriting matters while ensuring high levels of accuracy and quality of documentation.
• Collaborate with relevant departments on business trends, rates, competition, product review and customer care needs and satisfaction so as to sustain a competitive edge in the market.
• Contribute and ensure compliance to governance, relevant legislation and risk mitigation strategies.
• Provide authoritative, expertise and advice to clients and stakeholders
• Build and maintain relationships with clients and stakeholders
• Contribute to the process of negotiating objective and realistic service level agreements, monitor appropriateness and recommend adjustments
• Deliver on service level agreements made with clients and internal and external stakeholders in order to ensure that client expectations are managed
• Make recommendations to improve client service and fair treatment of clients within area of responsibility
• Create a positive work climate and culture to energise employees, give meaning to work, minimise work disruption and maximise employee productivity.
• Demonstrate exemplary leadership behaviour, through personal involvement, commitment and dedication in support of organisational values.
• Drive a culture that guides and directs best practice, fostering an environment of continuous learning, improvement and cohesiveness.
• Enable a learning and growth culture whereby information regarding successes, issues, trends and ideas are actively shared between team members.
• Identify employee growth and development needs and schedule interventions to enable ongoing development, training and personal growth.
• Effectively manage performance within the team in order to ensure business objectives are achieved
• Implement and manage financial risk methodologies, techniques and systems and use to monitor and report on financial activities.
• Implement and provide feedback on the effectiveness of financial policy, practice and procedures: preventing illegal, unethical or improper conduct.
• Implement risk management, governance and compliance policies in own practice area, to identify and manage governance and risk exposure liability.

Competencies    

• Business Acumen 
• Collaborative 
• Strategic thinking
• Analytical 

Closing Date: 13th, July 2022