Portfolio Manager (Specialist Non-Life Insurance) | Parktown at The Recruitment Council

• Our client is looking for a Portfolio Manager to join their Partnerships division, reporting directly to the Head of Partnerships. In this role, you will act as a strategic advisor and custodian of the insurance licence, providing strategic support, operational oversight, and investment management for a portfolio of partner underwriting management agencies.  

Key Responsibilities:  

• Partner Strategy: Play an active role in formulating and implementing each Partner’s business strategy, acting as an advisor to facilitate tactical and strategic goals.
• Investment Performance: Assess Partner performance from equity and licence perspectives, drive financial analysis, and contribute meaningfully to Partner management, EXCO, and Board meetings.
• Business Development: Identify, assess, and lead M&A and business development opportunities to grow Partner businesses alongside Partner shareholders.
• Collaboration & Portfolio Strategy: Drive cross-partner engagement, expand market networks, and contribute insights toward building a balanced, diversified portfolio.
• Relationship Management: Act as the primary operational contact and trusted advisor, building deep insight into each assigned Partner’s products, distribution, risk profiles, systems, and claims processes.
• Governance & Interaction: Schedule, prepare, and manage operational and Board meetings (including agendas, meeting packs, and minutes).
• Capability Improvement: Help define and execute the overall portfolio management capability alongside peer Portfolio Managers.
• Compliance & Regulatory Oversight: Serve as the custodian of the insurance licence, ensuring Partners meet all regulatory, market conduct, and binder agreement commitments.
• Data & Technology: Oversee data reporting accuracy alongside internal data leads to drive automated, data-driven underwriting and risk decision-making.
• Financial Management: Prepare annual 5-year budgets and quarterly forecasts, oversee monthly financial reporting, and manage insurance float to optimize investment returns.
• Risk & Capital Management: Review financial trajectories, work with actuarial teams to optimize solvency capital requirements, and maintain partner risk registers.
• Reinsurance Support: Support the design and purchasing of appropriate reinsurance structures alongside internal reinsurance leads.

Requirements:  

• An Undergraduate Degree in a relevant field (Finance, Business, Commerce, Actuarial, or Insurance).
• 10+ years of insurance-related experience (preferably within non-life / short-term insurance).
• Strong commercial acumen and a deep understanding of short-term insurance operations, underwriting, and governance.
• High proficiency in MS Office (specifically Excel and PowerPoint).
• Execution Focus: Strong completer-finisher mindset with a commitment to high-quality outputs.
• Leadership & Analytical Nous: Excellent commercial thinking, analytical skills, and leadership capabilities.
• Adaptability: Fast learner who takes personal initiative and thrives when navigating uncharted challenges.
• People & Communication: Superior communication and relationship-building skills with a genuine passion for collaboration and stakeholder coordination.