Divisional Head: Marine - Sandton, Cape Town or Durban at Guardrisk

Role Purpose

Design, implement and execute strategic plans in order to become the preferred market in the Marine Insurance sector including both Corporate and non- Corporate Brokers (Small to Medium). Take responsibility and accountability for driving existing and new business initiatives for better than budget profit and premium growth for Marine division of Guardrisk General Insurance. Explore opportunities in the market including mergers and acquisitions as part of the growth and development strategy. Ensure that our Reinsurance Programme are adequately structured and priced to provide the required capacity for optimal protection of the risks we underwrite. Ensure that an underwriting culture and philosophy is managed and maintained to produce a sustainable underwriting practice, not just for underwriting profits but in order that we do not compromise our treaty renewals and the capacity, terms and conditions attached thereto.  Exercise oversight, management and development of key areas of the business and its people. Empower the Brand by managing the business and personal Reputation, command the Respect of staff and Market and maintain Integrity at the highest level.

Requirements

• Tertiary qualification (Degree/Diploma/NQF 5 or 6)
• RE Exams/ KI representative
• Supplementary courses relative to Marine and Contract Law
• At least 10 years of multidimensional marine insurance experience within the insurance industry
• At least 5 years of corporate managerial experience at a senior management level
• Knowledge of the financial services, particularly insurance industry and regulatory and technical requirements
• Knowledge of Trade, Incoterms, Current Affairs
• Knowledge of Reinsurance structures

Duties & Responsibilities

• Designs and implements strategies based on in-depth knowledge of customers and clients, changing industry trends and the legislative and economic framework
• Addresses complex budgeting and financial management issues
• Developing strategic plans in conjunction with GGI Head and ensuring implementation of strategy in wider Guardrisk group
• Full accountability for integration of business in to Guardrisk/ MMI environment
• Setting and reviewing budgets in conjunction with GGI Head and managing cost throughout the business
• Play a significant role in long-term planning, including an initiative geared toward operational excellence
• Consults and collaborates extensively and involves executive and key stakeholders (internal and external) where required
• Ability to analyse financial and operational data in order to sufficiently accept and price insurance risks sustainably
• Involvement and oversight on all large corporate accounts and special new business projects
• Overall responsibility for a team of underwriters, claims and admin staff and full accountability for this team
• Responsibility for Reinsurance placement and communication with Reinsurers in order to ensure all risks are adequately reinsured
• Ability to understand and underwrite very complex and significantly valued Marine accounts
• Strong marketing capabilities and broker relationships in order to grow the Marine business
• Build and maintain a cohesive relationship between shareholders and the board in order to ensure alignment between MMI, Guardrisk and Marine
• Contribute to sustaining a competitive edge through innovative evolvement of products, systems, external networking and benchmarking
• Define fair and innovative client service practices which build rewarding relationships and allows team to provide exceptional client experience
• Engage with key internal and external stakeholders to identify changing client needs and make recommendations to align service offering with client needs
• Develop client service level agreements and standards in order to ensure clients receive clear and accurate information and are always kept informed
• Drive efforts to improve client service and embed fair treatment of clients within area of responsibility taking into consideration at all time the various Regulations and Acts that govern our industry
• Promote, adopt and abide by the principles of TCF
• Improve the operational systems, processes and policies in support of organizations mission specifically, support better management reporting, information flow and management, business process and organizational planning
• accountability for accounting reporting, RI reporting and claims management in the business
• responsibility for market conduct requirements such as TCF, POPI and other compliance matters in the business
• responsibility for risk management in the business
• Create a positive work environment and culture that encourages employees to self-develop and add value not only to themselves but to the business, minimise work disruption and maximise employee productivity
• Demonstrate exemplary leadership behaviour, through personal involvement, commitment and dedication in support of organisational values
• Select and recruit suitably qualified talent in line with Employment Equity principles and MMI 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
• Execute effective workforce planning practices to ensure that staffing requirements are accurately forecasted
• 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
• Encourage innovation, change agility and collaboration within the team
• Humanity in leadership both internal and external
• Oversee overall financial management, planning, systems and controls
• Consult with GGI Head on budgeting requirements and expenditure
• Controlling finance and ensuring budgets are maintained and forecasts are met
• Identify solutions to enhance cost effectiveness and increase operational efficiency
• Drives the identification and implementation of partnerships and other avenues to achieve financial savings and improved service delivery

Competencies

• Business acumen 
• Collaborative
• Building Strategic partnerships/ Networking
• Entrepreneurship / Calculated Risk Taking
• Holistic / Big Picture Thinking
• Client/ Stakeholder Commitment