Head of Marine - SSA (Johannesburg) at AIG

The Head of Marine is responsible for:

Business Management

• Develops / monitors / manages the Marine Underwriting Strategy for the Sub-Saharan Africa region
• Assumption of management responsibility for the Marine Underwriting team and resource management in close coordination with the country GMs of the Sub-Saharan Africa region and the global product towers
• Assumption of budget responsibility for the profit center; Marine Sub-Saharan Africa in coordination with the EMEA Head of Marine
• Management of the day-to-day business for the profit center
• Manages the interfaces to sales/customer engagement, claims processing, actuarial, finance and regulatory functions
• Responsibility for a profitable, growing portfolio, including channel management and go-to-market strategy
• Takeover of the most important broker and customer relationships in the Sub-Saharan Africa region
• Escalation and contact person for brokers and customers

External Relationship Management

• Representing AIG to major clients and brokers
• Expand and enhance the AIG South Africa brand
• Managing regulatory and external director stakeholder relationships

People Management

• Making hiring and resource allocation decisions for resources in the country, in alignment with the regional and global governance structure and ensuring and fostering a diverse work environment
• Communicating the AIG Sub-Saharan Africa vision, mission, and overall GI direction
• Serve as a member of the AIG Sub-Saharan Africa Senior Leadership Team

What we’re looking for:

• Successfully completed legal or economics studies
• Experience in the insurance market and the transport industry and its development opportunities
• Extensive work experience in the insurance industry
• In-depth knowledge of legal regulations in the marine and transport sector
• Strong business thinking, sound judgement and analytical skills to lead strategically and results-oriented
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work with different business units and industries, especially with regard to stakeholder management at different hierarchical levels
• Strong experience in change management and team leadership as well as the ability to manage and implement change
• Very good communication skills (written, oral, presentations, training)

Leadership Skills:

• A track record of financial and operational success in general insurance having delivered profitable growth in the destined region
• A “natural” with clients who can represent AIG effectively and support the introduction, establishment and growth of valuable client relationships in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Experienced people leader; a relationship developer and team builder; a strong focus on talent and leadership development; someone who attracts and develops high-calibre talent and who builds diverse, high-performing teams.
• Proven ability to manage a broad range of stakeholders.
• Highly collaborative approach across functions and geographies.
• Ability to manage and influence in a matrix structure and across a wide geography

Technical Skills and Expertise:

• Significant industry experience, stature and credibility in one or more product lines
• Several years’ experience in managing country operations or larger functional or product teams within Sub-Saharan Africa region.
• A leader who develops a bold vision and distinct strategies that result in competitive advantaged and is results-oriented, hands-on leader; who sets, pursues and achieves goals for organizational success.
• ability to represent AIG persuasively and effectively in internal and external settings, e.g., client meetings and industry presentations.
• Proven track record of successfully operate in an international insurance carrier
• Very good communication & interpersonal skills

Core Competencies:

• Drive for profitable results
• Strategic leadership
• Collaborate and influence
• Ability to execute in a matrix structure
• Develop talent