Business Head: Underwriting

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

Santam Specialist Solutions has a career opportunity for a Head: Underwriting in the Heavy Haulage business area which will be based in Alice Lane.

The primary purpose of this position is to provide specialist underwriting leadership and operational oversight for the Heavy Haulage business, ensuring underwriting quality, governance, compliance, and profitability in line with Santam and BU frameworks. The role contributes to business performance through technical expertise, disciplined execution, and stakeholder collaboration, rather than full BU strategic ownership.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Underwriting Governance and Technical Leadership

• Implement and consistently apply approved underwriting mandates, policies, and guidelines within the BU in line with Santam Underwriting Practice Policy.
• Maintain and periodically review BU underwriting guidelines to ensure alignment with approved risk appetite, risk selection, and rating principles.
• Provide expert input into underwriting decisions on complex quotes, renewals, and non-standard wordings within delegated authority.
• re adherence to underwriting authorities, controls, and governance frameworks.
• Sign off underwriting risks in line with the Authority Matrix as delegated.

Operational Oversight and Delivery

• Support the execution of underwriting and pricing strategies to achieve BU performance targets.
• Monitor underwriting quality, loss ratios, and portfolio performance, escalating concerns where required.
• Support the development and implementation of underwriting notes, directives, and audit checklists.
• Ensure underwriting processes and controls are embedded and consistently applied across the BU.

Compliance, Binder and Outsource Management

• Act as custodian of the BU/Santam Underwriting Management Agreement (Binder) within delegated scope.
• Ensure compliance with agreed authorities, mandates, and regulatory requirements (FAIS, Short-Term Insurance Act, VAT, Forex where applicable).
• Coordinate and participate in the review and auditing of binders and outsourced arrangements, including quarterly and annual audits.
• Liaise with Legal, Compliance, Finance, and Santam Specialist Compliance on underwriting-related matters.

Risk and Control Management

• Support the implementation and maintenance of effective internal controls in line with Santam/BU policies.
• Identify, assess, and monitor underwriting and operational risks and contribute to mitigation strategies.
• Participate in governance, audit, and risk forums as required.

Data, Analytics and Portfolio Insights

• Contribute to portfolio-level analysis and reporting, including trends, performance drivers, and emerging risks.
• Support data-driven underwriting and pricing initiatives in collaboration with Actuarial and Data teams.
• Provide insights on cover trends and underwriting developments and their potential business impact.

Stakeholder and Client Engagement

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal stakeholders (Actuarial, Claims, Risk, Compliance, Distribution).
• Engage with reinsurers, service providers, and selected external stakeholders within agreed parameters.
• Support resolution of technical underwriting and client queries within authority levels.

People and Capability Contribution

• Provide technical coaching, guidance, and support to underwriting teams to strengthen capability and consistency.
• Contribute to knowledge-sharing initiatives, including the development of underwriting materials and guidance notes.

People Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead a team of underwriters and 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

• Commercial Degree
• FAIS Compliance
• Minimum of 5-8 years relevant experience at a senior level with a combination of underwriting, re-insurance, legal and insurance in general. 

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!