Business Head: Heavy Haulage JG5

CAREER OPPORUNITY

Santam Specialist Solutions has a career opportunity for a Business Head: Heavy Haulage which will be based in Alice Lane, Johannesburg.

The primary purpose of this position is to take accountability for the overall strategic, commercial, underwriting, and distribution performance of the Heavy Haulage business. The role carries end-to-end responsibility for sustainable growth, underwriting profitability, governance, people leadership, and market positioning, in alignment with Santam’s strategy, brand promise, and Treating Customers Fairly principles.

The role integrates business leadership, underwriting excellence, and sales & distribution oversight to ensure balanced growth, strong technical outcomes, and long-term commercial sustainability within the Heavy Haulage portfolio.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic & Business Leadership

• Define and execute the Heavy Haulage business strategy, aligned to Santam and Santam Specialist Solutions objectives.
• Set long-term strategic direction to drive sustainable growth, profitability, and market leadership.
• Assess market, client, regulatory, and competitive trends to identify risks and growth opportunities.
• Represent Santam as a senior leader in relevant industry, broker, and stakeholder forums.
• Promote and embed Santam’s values and brand promise internally and externally.

 Financial & Commercial Stewardship

• Own top-line growth, underwriting performance, and profitability of the Heavy Haulage portfolio.
• Prepare, manage, and deliver against the approved budget, ensuring strong expense discipline.
• Partner with actuarial teams to ensure competitive, data-driven pricing aligned to loss ratio targets.
• Monitor portfolio performance, claims trends, and risk metrics, taking corrective action where required.
• Ensure disciplined premium collection, debtor management, and cancellation reserve controls.

Underwriting Strategy & Technical Governance

• Accountable for underwriting strategy, risk appetite, and governance within Heavy Haulage.
• Ensure compliance with underwriting mandates, authorities, and Santam’s Underwriting Practice Policy.
• Provide guidance and sign-off on complex, high-value, or non-standard risks and wordings.
• Drive consistency, quality, and best-practice underwriting disciplines to minimise operational and financial risk.
• Lead research and development of products, risk solutions, and technical enhancements.

 Sales, Distribution & Market Development

• Define and own the Heavy Haulage sales and distribution strategy in partnership with Sales, Underwriting, and Operations.
• Drive revenue growth, portfolio expansion, and market penetration through effective broker and client engagement.
• Build strong, long-term relationships with key brokers, clients, reinsurers, and strategic partners.
• Act as senior escalation point for complex commercial, broker, or client matters impacting revenue or reputation.
• Oversee national and regional marketing initiatives, ensuring return on investment and alignment to strategy.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain strong internal partnerships across Underwriting, Claims, Sales, Actuarial, Legal, Risk, Compliance, and Operations.
• Ensure delivery of a differentiated, high-quality client and broker experience
• Support cross-selling opportunities across Santam and group businesses.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to regulatory, statutory, and internal governance requirements, including FAIS and insurance legislation.
• Act as custodian of underwriting binders, outsourcing arrangements, and delegated authorities where applicable.
• Oversee internal and external audits, ensuring timely remediation of findings.
• Implement robust risk management and internal control frameworks across the Heavy Haulage business.

Data, Insight & Reporting

• Leverage data analytics and management information to drive insight-led decision-making.
• Monitor dashboards and performance reporting to track growth, underwriting performance, and operational effectiveness.
• Provide regular reporting to management and governance forums

 People Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing leadership and specialist team.
• Create a culture of accountability, collaboration, excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Drive engagement, capability building, and succession planning within the business.
• Identify and mentor future leaders to ensure long-term sustainability of the function.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Relevant Bachelor’s degree (Commercial, Insurance, Risk, Finance or related).
• FAIS compliant.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in the insurance industry.
• At least 5–7 years’ experience at senior leadership level.
• Proven track record in leading a specialist insurance portfolio or business.
• Strong experience across underwriting, risk management, sales/distribution, and financial management.

COMPETENCIES

• Strategic and commercial acumen
• Executive leadership and people management
• Strong underwriting and risk judgment
• Client and broker relationship management
• Financial and analytical capability
• Governance and compliance orientation
• Influencing, negotiation, and decision-making
• Results-driven with high attention to detail

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!