Open Positions at Santam Insurance

JOB DESCRIPTION

The successful incumbent’s duties will include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• The maintenance, administration and legal entity management of the companies within the Santam Group, by ensuring compliance with applicable local and international regulatory requirements. This includes drafting and managing legal and statutory filings as well as overseeing the Group of companies’ annual returns and CIPC administration;  
• Prepare, coordinate and distribute Board submissions and meeting packs effectively and within the agreed timelines (including drafting agendas, the minutes of meetings and related Board papers in a concise and accurate manner);  
• Ensure that the Company’s governance framework is appropriately developed, embedded, maintained and communicated to key stakeholders;  
• Assist with the administration of Santam’s Board evaluations and statutory and/or corporate governance audits;  
• Keep abreast of regulatory and statutory changes and policies that might affect the Group. This includes reviewing all amendments to, or regulations and practice notes issued under the auspices of the Companies Act, insurance legislation and/or corporate governance related regulatory requirements; 
• Assist the Group Company Secretary with ensuring compliance with the Companies Act and other related regulatory requirements and governance standards as well as the JSE Listings Requirements (equity and debt listings). This includes drafting and coordinating SENS announcements as and when required; 
• Assist with the maintenance of share registers, shareholder communication and coordinating the processing and payment of dividends; 
• Maintain and organise Company records (both physical and digital) by applying document control. This includes drafting and reviewing legal, contractual and/or compliance related documentation as and when required; 
• Maintain and safeguard the confidentiality of all company secretarial, statutory records and other corporate documents in the best interest of Santam; 
• Assist with the induction, orientation, ongoing training and empowerment of directors, including assessing the specific training needs of the Board and executive management that are associated with their fiduciary and/or other governance responsibilities;
• Provide assistance and company secretarial support services to the Group Company Secretary as and when required;
• Provide support with the administration of Board evaluations, corporate governance audits and Board training interventions; 
• Assist with the safekeeping and updating of Company records, regulatory filings, share certificates and ancillary registers (e.g. directors and other key person’s declaration of interest registers, Fit and Proper Registers, KYC information etc); and 
• Assist with ad hoc projects to improve company secretarial processes, compliance, corporate governance and investor relations aspects.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• A LLB degree (an Admitted Attorney) or a Bachelor’s degree in law, Business Administration, Finance, Compliance Management, Corporate Governance and/or a related field.
• A Chartered Secretary or Chartered Governance Professional qualification would be an advantage. 
• Computer literacy (the full MS Office suite) including the ability to demonstrate proficiency with digital Board meeting pack e-platforms.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a similar role
• Proven expertise as a seasoned Company Secretary, with a sound knowledge of corporate governance principles and best practices, statutory records, company secretarial administration, regulatory filings, share registers and legal research; 
• Able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of corporate laws, corporate governance, regulatory and non-regulatory compliance frameworks as well as industry standards, business administration and accounting; 
• Able to portrait a sound knowledge of the financial services industry and the associated corporate governance practices, the JSE Listings requirements (equity and debt listings), King IV, compliance management, ethics and risk management as well as internal controls; 
• Proficient at handling the logistics of Board meetings and AGMs (including but not limited to preparing agendas, minutes of meetings and Board submissions);
• Able to work independently whilst managing multiple tasks; and
• Capable of fostering positive relationships with key stakeholders on a continuous basis.

SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

• Exceptional organizational and administration skills (i.e. being adept at coordinating governance processes, facilitating Board communications and Board meetings, taking minutes, and record keeping);
• Excellent and effective communication and interpersonal skills - to clearly communicate shareholders’, the Board and executive management’s positions both in writing and verbally;
• Objectivity skills - by ensuring an armlength and impartial role being fulfilled between the Board and management; 
• Critical-thinking skills - by playing an effective role in developing and implementing practical and generally acceptable corporate governance solutions;
• Honesty, reliability and integrity;
• Discretion, professionalism and diplomacy; 
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities; 
• Enthusiasm for keeping up to date with legislation; 
• Exceptional time management skills; and  
• Business acumen

go to method of application »

What will make you successful in this role?

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The role of a Head surveyor is to understand all types of risks and its exposures that we write and provide a view on whether continued business is viable, it is also to guide the teams and mentor staff to meet these objectives. It also translates Santam’s aspiration of being a risk management partner into action.
• The incumbent must be able to work independently and to mentor staff to enable them to assess risks according to Santam’s and National standards.  This position is a leadership as well as operational role which oversees a regional team, conducts surveys, provide on the job training, and do quality reviews and will work within the prescribed parameters of the role and the National survey manager.
• This role will have a consulting function where the head surveyor will be called upon to consult on risks and to provide advice to Surveyors, Underwriters, Relationship managers, technical managers, Brokers and Clients regarding the risk and alternatives to the risk reduction requirements.

Leadership/People Management:

• Mentor Surveyors to provide improved survey reports and upskilling staff in the understanding of the various risks and legislation and standards.
• Ensure service excellence in all survey interactions for all team members.
• Manage the knowledge transfer of technical results across different knowledge levels within the business ensuring effective execution resulting in profitable growth and the maintenance of a profitable book of business.
• Facilitate educational programmes across the business to raise awareness around risk exposures, risk management practices and the criticality of the surveying function.
• Manage the procurement and delivery of external risk surveys in line with the quality standards and knowledge levels of Santam.

Survey delivery requirements

• Conduct and ensure surveys are within the required SLA.
• Achieve and facilitate the agreed productivity levels within the team.
• Review and provide feedback and internal and external reports corrections to surveys as required.
• Understanding all the legislative requirements/Bylaws.
• Understanding the area of operations and hazards (Geographical areas and risks associated) (Process in respect of production and the function and safety of the machinery).
• Collaborate with various stakeholders Interact (distribution, operations, underwriting and intermediaries) to ensure delivery of our world class surveying competency and continuously improve Santam’s surveying capability.
• Provide feedback and comment on rational designs.

Stakeholders 

• The Head Surveyor will have complete independent interaction with both internal and external stakeholders.  Interactions will vary from negotiation, to driving change, handling queries, and mentoring and training internal and external stakeholders.
• Head surveyor may interact from a consultant capacity, to providing insight and guidance into policy, and training manuals, as well as provide feedback and comment on wordings and risk management protocols and ways of implementation.
• Engage with internal and external stake holders (Broker Distribution, Operations etc.) and to get buy-in and understanding of our need to survey risks and ensure effective execution of survey processes and provide appropriate advice as required.
• Provide surveying guidance and support to all Santam Group companies including MiWay, SEM, Namibia and Specialist business as required.

General

• Conduct Quality assessment and provide feedback to surveyors.

Qualifications and Experience

• 10+years of risk surveying or related experience
• Matric and Fire Service Qualification, Technical Engineering Degree or Diploma, or relevant qualification.
• Valid driver’s licence                                                                                                    
• Computer literate on Excel, Word, Presentations, etc.    
• Competency at previous level and proven competence at risk surveying with experience in retention class and exposure stipulated above.
• FPA advanced courses, risk prevention strategies and technical training for related risks e.g., advanced level - High hazard risks, thatch, etc.
• Proven Mentorship and coaching ability

Skills and Knowledge

• Delivering results & ability to work under pressure.
• Relating and networking.
• Analysing and attention to detail.
• Applying expertise and technology.
• Achieving personal work goals and objectives.
• Learning and researching.
• Time management Planning and organising.
• Writing and reporting.
• Following instructions and procedures as well as client Protocols (e.g. induction, Covid-19)
• Working with people.
• Adhering to principles and values.
• Training of incumbent staff, Mentoring and coaching staff.
• Ability to manage own work environment.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills and abilities.
• Communication Skills.
• Use of MS Office Products.
• Use of policy information systems.
• Work in other regions.
• Self-starter.
• Knowledge of Underwriting and underwriting processes.
• Knowledge of the policy wording.