Manager: Underwriting & Support (Agri)

CAREER OPPORUNITY

Santam Specialist Solutions has a career opportunity for a Manager: Underwriting and Support in the Underwriting department which will be based in Bloemfontein or Gauteng.

The position relies on good judgment, experience, and guidance to perform analytical and technical functions to analyze and interpret data. The role requires a broad degree of knowledge of agriculture and problem-solving skills. 

Advice, recommendations and guidance to the team, intermediaries and clients regarding the underwriting and rating of crop insurance.

Assist with product development and risk management solutions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Underwriting and pricing

• Establish and maintain sound underwriting and rating principles to ensure profitability by attracting quality business.
• Revise and update rating models to ensure competitive risk related rates in support with the actuarial team.
• Co-responsible for the profitability of the crop portfolio in conjunction with distribution by selecting the right areas and crops to do business in.
• Advice, recommend and guide AGRI staff on the underwriting and rating of crop insurance.

Innovation and product development

• Involved in the development of new insurance products and in the decisions to enhance the current products, to provide system application and product knowledge to determine feasibility.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of risk management solutions for the agricultural market.
• Analyzing local, national, and global trends that impact both the organization and the industry
• To ensure new products fit in with reinsurers requirements and to ensure system support.
• Involved in the development and maintenance of risk management solutions. E.g., Minimum and maximus, e.g. excess options in certain areas.
• Understand and interpreted policy wordings to ensure alignment with systems and processes that is being maintained.

Reporting

• Ensure quality management-, business information-, and underwriting reports, complying with information governance requirements. 
• Provide accurate and meaningful routine reports, scheduled and ad hoc reports to a variety of users, internally and externally like reinsurers.
• Render data support to distribution which entails sharing business information and overall status of the region’s results and trends supported through presentations and ad hoc requests with clear and specific requirements.

Organisational development

• Proactively work with distribution to ensure that information provision is tailored to their priorities and supports their decision-making requirements, through presentations and ad hoc requests.
  Identify underwriting trends and communicate to the underwriting team.
• (Mainly since the data resides in this role. e.g., frost on wheat and franchise on wheat impact. Sliding scale on soya bean’s introduction in on all on options and not only on some.)

Corporate governance

• Maintain and record underwriting decisions in the SBU’s underwriting policy.
  Act as gatekeeper, managing data integrity and ensuring data is accurate before utilised for analysis

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Agricultural degree or similar qualification
• FAIS compliance: Commercial and Personal Lines and RE a preference
• 5-10 years’ experience in Agricultural Insurance and Underwriting
• Experience in reinsurance will be an advantage.

COMPETENCIES

• Negotiation and conflict resolution
• Align business practices to strategy.
• Staff development
• Team player
• Organization and time management
• Innovation and introducing fresh ideas
• Leading by example
• Coping with pressure
• Working independently and drive performance
• Ability to cope with conflicting demands and to prioritize tasks.

ABOUT SANTAM

Santam is the market leader in the general insurance industry in Southern Africa. As a large, diversified, and expanding company, we are committed to transformation and growth. While our headquarters are in South Africa, we are rapidly extending our presence into emerging markets across Africa and Asia.

With a client base of over 1 million policyholders, Santam serves individuals, commercial enterprises, specialist business owners, and institutions—including 80 of the Top 100 companies listed on the JSE. Our commitment to Insurance, Good and Proper goes beyond just providing cover—we offer peace of mind, ensuring our clients can focus on living in the moment, not worrying about the unexpected. Because at Santam, we believe the freedom to seize every day is worth protecting.

People drive our business, and we are committed to attracting the best talent, whether for permanent roles or short-term opportunities. 

Santam is committed to diversity, inclusion, and belonging. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including persons with disabilities. We are dedicated to neuro-inclusivity and fostering a workplace where everyone can thrive. 

Take the next step in your career—apply now and be part of a company that’s shaping the future of insurance. This is Freedom!