Senior Underwriting Manager (Construction Guarantees) at Guardrisk

Role Purpose    

• Responsible for the underwriting of a portfolio of clients for the Construction Bonds & Guarantees division.

Requirements    

• An undergraduate degree (BSc Eng, or similar) in the Built Environment.
• A postgraduate degree (MSc Eng, or similar) in the Built Environment.
• Certificate in Short-Term Insurance (or working towards it)
• RE 5 Certificate for Representatives (or working towards it)
• FAIS compliant (or working towards it)
• At least 10 years working experience in the construction industry in Africa
• At least 5 years business management experience in Africa
• Knowledge of the infrastructure contracts, project management principles and commercial business in Africa

Duties & Responsibilities    

• Underwriting of large & complex guarantees transactions.
• Underwriting of foreign and corporate guarantee transactions across Africa.
• Lead & manage the underwriting risk committee for the Construction Bonds & Guarantees division.
• Develop comprehensive risk management plans on new project guarantee requests.
• Develop comprehensive risk monitoring tools for existing project guarantees.
• Develop project recovery plans for distressed projects.
• Enhance underwriting standards in the Construction Bonds & Guarantees division.
• Manage the underwriting methodology in the Construction Bonds & Guarantees division through continuous research and improvements.
• Preparation of thorough and detailed underwriting reports.
• Underwriting of guarantees within the designated operational mandate.
• Oversee the entire portfolio of existing clients across the Construction Bonds & Guarantees division.
• Grow the Construction Bonds & Guarantees book of business.
• Management of the construction bonds & guarantees team (portfolio managers/underwriters).
• Mentoring & training the Construction Bonds & Guarantees team members.
• Pursue relevant growth opportunities that would allow the Guarantees division to achieve its strategic targets and objectives.
• Ensure that existing relationships with brokers and other role players are strengthened and built on a continuous basis.
• Ensure that new relationships are established to support the growth plans of the greater Guarantees division.
• Build, maintain and continuously strengthen all relationships with the MMH Group’s product, support, reinsurance as well as broker partners.
• Ensure that all regular interactions with any of the MMH Group’s reinsurance, broker or product partners are done at the highest possible level of professionalism.
• Stay abreast of developments in the construction, surety, guarantee & related markets.
• Maintain professional relationships with all customers, suppliers and trade connections of the MMH Group with a view to maintain and improve the group’s reputation and goodwill.

Competencies    

• Project (construction) management
• Business Acumen
• Client Orientated
• Collaborative
• Innovative
• Analytical skills
• Relationship management and networking