Head: Risk Administration

What will you do?

The purpose of this role is to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Risk Department, ensuring effective management of Employee Benefits and Group Risk schemes. The role is responsible for risk governance, compliance, and stakeholder engagement to safeguard organisational objectives and deliver superior service to clients.

What will make you successful in this role?

Strategic Leadership
Develop and implement strategies for risk management and Employee Benefits administration
Align departmental objectives with organisational goals and regulatory requirements
Risk Management
Identify, assess, and monitor risks within the Employee Benefits portfolio
Maintain and update the risk register quarterly; escalate top risks to governance forums
Ensure integration of risk management processes with organisational frameworks
Governance and Compliance
Ensure adherence to all regulatory requirements and internal policies
Prepare and present quarterly risk reports to governance structures and SAZ Data Governance Forums
Document and communicate mitigation strategies and risk acceptance criteria
Operational Oversight
Manage quotation and tender processes for group risk schemes
Oversee annual reviews for all schemes, including capturing new rates, limits, and guaranteed periods 
Ensure accurate implementation of new business and amendments
Stakeholder Engagement
Liaise with insurers, brokers, and internal departments to ensure smooth administration of Employee Benefits
Provide guidance on beneficiary nominations and claims processes
Team Leadership
Lead and mentor the Risk Administration team, ensuring performance standards are met
Facilitate job evaluations and succession planning within the department

Qualification and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Risk Management, Insurance, Finance, or related field
Minimum 8 - 10 years in risk administration or employee benefits, with at least 5 years in a leadership role
Excellent knowledge of group risk products and employee benefits
Familiarity with risk governance frameworks and tools 

Knowledge and Skills

Proficient in English (verbal & written) language skills; and/or additional local Namibian language will be a competitive advantage, etc.
Strategic thinking and decision-making
Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills 
Ability to manage compliance and regulatory requirements effectively
Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) – for documentation, reporting, and presentations

Personal Attributes

Build a successful career with us

We’re all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future – your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping  our employees to realise their worth. Through its five business clusters – Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, Santam, as well as MiWay and the Group Office – the group provides many opportunities for growth and development.

Core Competencies

Turnaround time

The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers. 

Our commitment to transformation