Head Surveyor

What will you do?

This career opportunity is available at Santam Commercial Underwriting, Survey Department for a Head Surveyor in the Gauteng Region.

The Head Surveyor is tasked with leading Santam’s regional survey team as well as assessing risk while applying technical knowledge. Head Surveyors will facilitate and conduct detailed risk assessments on the risk, as well as provide an in-depth view to underwriters assisting them to underwrite the risk appropriately, more specifically:

• Conducting desktop and physical surveys.
• Review surveys & QA completed reports by all surveyors.
• Mentoring staff to achieve quality and productivity standards.
• Reviewing and providing insights and acceptance of Rational designs and Sprinkler reports

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.

Competencies

• Collaboration.
• Client focus.
• Drives results.
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• Cultivates innovation. 
• Relating and networking.
• Analysing and attention to detail.
• Applying expertise and technology.
• Learning and researching.
• Time management Planning and organising.
• Writing and reporting. 
• Mentoring.
• Risk Management.