Let's Write Africa's Story Together!

Old Mutual is a firm believer in the African opportunity and our diverse talent reflects this.

Job Description

Accountable for the design and development of a technical underwriting framework and end-to-end management of portfolios of Trade credit customers.Develop and oversee the implementation of underwriting strategy to ensure the underwriting processes support the achievement of the business strategy.Build operational capabilities and drive efficiencies to promote a leading customer experience for clients and intermediaries.Manage GWP growth in balance with acceptable loss ratios to drive sustainable profitability of this line of business.Oversee risk mitigation strategies including reinsurance ceilings, Atradius co-operation, the mandate system, underwriting guidelines within risk appetite, and internal controls to protect the organization, its people and resources.Nurture talent and leadership development for the sustainability of the business, as well as promoting a high standard of technical training and excellence.Early adoption of new software-as-a-service underwriting platform and constructive role in the implementation of this system and adoption within CGIC.Facilitate sound key client and intermediary relationships in a spirit of long-term partnership and problem-solving. Maintain excellent key client retention levelsWork across the business to integrate pricing, product, claims, and support for the new business team, to achieve and sustain real growth above inflation.Pursue strategies which put the customer first.Diversification of product lines and non-South Africa exposure to reduce concentration risk.Foster and encourage the core values of the Old Mutual Group. Operational Management OversightDevelop and establish quality control measures to improve profitability of the portfolio across the business by identifying pricing and risk gaps within underwriting, claims or sales mandates and / or policies across the value chain.Develop and implement technical underwriting framework including product wording, risk acceptance criteria, underwriting rules & guidelines, retention limits, survey standards and risk classification guide.Develop and implement a product management framework that identifies and corrects loss trends and problem areas and provides remedial solutions for implementation by sales and underwriting teams.Oversee business performance to strengthen capabilities within the underwriting and claims teams, adherence to policy terms, coverage acceptance and exposures, pricing techniques and changes, claims trends and issues to ensure continued acceptable performance of the portfolio. • Ensure that risk is managed optimally within the technical framework particularly in risk acceptance and underwriting appetite.Report on performance of the Trade Credit portfolio and significant losses and trends.Liaise with reinsurance department to ensure adequate reinsurance is in place to support technical underwriting appetite and product sets within risk based capital structure defined by corporate actuarial.Serve on internal company or industry committees, and act as a technical resource for underwriting and reinsurance issues across the business. Continuous ImprovementEnsure statutory and legislative knowledge o the team is always current in order to resolve customer complaints, to advise the business on corrective solutions to mitigate risks and to improve the customer experience whilst complying with governance requirements.Ensure adherence to organisational policies, practices and procedures.Identify solutions to enhance cost control, increase operational efficiency and manage operating budget goalsService Delivery to Delight the CustomerMaintain service, quality and desired outputs across the business process by ensuring compliance to policies, procedures and standards.Establish constructive operational relationships with key stakeholders in the various channels and administrative teams.Develop work routines in line with operational plans / schedules in order to manage achievement of service delivery goals.Share knowledge on, and participate in the creation of new standards, control systems and procedures to enhance service delivery. Cost ManagementAccountable for the development and implementation of fit for purpose budgets and controllable cost discipline.Accountable for managing supplier relationships, and budgets associated with projects. People PracticesAlign own behaviour with the organisational culture and values.Share and transfer product, process and systems knowledge to colleagues and team members.Collaborate and work with the business to deliver required service levels.Actively share information and grow other team members regarding successes, issues, trends and ideasExperience Knowledge & Skills Required :Bachelor’s degree in commerce, Finance or Economics.Master’s in Business Administration is an advantage.Understanding of international trade.Informed on current affairs and economic and business trends relevant to CGIC business and underwriting practices.FAIS Qualified (RE1 representative and preferably KI).10 – 15 years’ experience in Trade Credit Insurance.5 – 8 years’ experience as an executive leading a revenue generating business within the insurance industry

Manages the underwriting business with a team of underwriters. Develops the underwriting policy, procedures, and practices. Evaluates risks with high insured amounts, coverage complexity, and those in excess of field approval limits. Provides counsel to underwriters regarding risk evaluation and rating.

ResponsibilitiesUnderwriting Insurance Cases

Review and authorize complex, high-value, and/or unusual underwriting proposals from within the team to ensure that these proposals are constructed within acceptable commercial and risk parameters, leading on decisions relating to the highest-value and most complex or unusual risks.

Underwriting Automation

Guide the development and continuous improvement of automated underwriting processes and systems for a product or line of business, specifying process and system functionalities that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of underwriting.

Organizational Risk Management

Manage a significant portion of the organization's risk management and/or risk control processes. This includes contributing to the development and implementation of risk management policies and procedures.

Regulatory and Compliance Management

Monitor and manage a wide range of activities of a significant team, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements by liaising with all internal risk management functions while supporting the development and implementation of the organization's compliance policy.

Leadership and Direction

Communicate the actions needed to implement the function's strategy and business plan within the team; explain the relationship to the broader organization's mission, vision, and values; motivate people to commit to these and to do extraordinary things to achieve local business goals.

Performance Management

Manage and report on the performance of a substantial, diverse team; set appropriate performance objectives for direct reports or project/account team members and hold individuals accountable for achieving them; take appropriate corrective action where necessary to ensure the achievement of team/personal objectives.

Budgeting

Develop and/or deliver budget plans with guidance from senior colleagues.

Document Preparation

Write and edit material for various target populations, tailoring the tone and content to match the needs and expectations of each audience.

Financial Policies, Guidelines, and Protocols

Create a plan to deliver and review financial policies, guidelines, and protocols to ensure the company complies with regulations and good financial practice.

Organizational Capability Building

Use the organization's formal development framework to identify the team's individual development needs. Plan and implement actions, including continuing professional development specified by professional or regulatory institutions, to build their professional capabilities. Provide informal training or coaching to others throughout the organization in own area of expertise to enable others to improve performance and fulfill personal potential.

Skills

Accounting, Budget Management, Change Management, Data Compilation, Executing Plans, Financial Acumen, Legal Practices, Management Reporting, Numerical Aptitude, Policies & Procedures, Presenting Solutions, Professional Presentation, Risk Management, Servant Leadership, Underwriting Management

Competencies

Balances StakeholdersBuilds Effective TeamsBusiness InsightCommunicates EffectivelyEnsures AccountabilityFinancial AcumenInstills TrustManages Ambiguity

Education

NQF Level 9 – Masters

Closing Date

14 April 2025 , 23:59

The appointment will be made from the designated group in line with the Employment Equity Plan of Old Mutual South Africa and the specific business unit in question.

The Old Mutual Story!