Who are we?

Santam is the market leader in the general insurance industry in Southern Africa. We are a large, diversified, expanding and transforming company and whilst based in South Africa, we are rapidly moving into a number of emerging markets, both in Africa and Asia. Our success is rooted in our passion for our clients and everything we do is centred on our delivery of Insurance Good and Proper. 

About us

With over 106 years of experience, Santam is Africa’s leading general insurance company with a market share exceeding 24% in South Africa. Our Client Solutions business leads with a culture and work environment that truly provides meaningful opportunities for personal and professional growth. This is a contributing factor to Santam being recognised this year, and for the fourth consecutive year, as a Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute, the only general insurer in South Africa to achieve this rating.

This speaks volumes about our focus on best people practices, as well as our commitment to optimising and improving our business performance by selecting employees who are ready to thrive and perform with purpose. 

Santam Client Solutions (SCS) Underwriting function is a key insurance capability of Santam’s SCS business unit, ensuring the achievement of the collective growth and profit responsibilities. Close collaboration with internal stakeholders, such as Actuarial, Operations, Distribution and Claims is required, to achieve these financial targets. And similarly, a proper understand of the needs of external stakeholders and our clients.

What will you do?

To manage Santam Client Solutions (SCS) business portfolio to ensure achievement of SCS’s profitable growth targets. Create, develop and grow a world class underwriting team in support of the SCS strategic objective to grow in its target markets through the multiple distribution channels within SCS. Manages Santam SCS’s Commercial and Personal business (i.e. in the Direct-, Sanlam Tied Agent- and Franchise distribution channels) on a national basis to ensure continuous achievement of SCS’s profitable growth targets. This entails the ownership of the full underwriting functions, including Underwriting Guidelines for Santam SCS, Delegation of Underwriting Authority to stakeholders, and where appropriate collaboration with peers within Santam. 

Role and Responsibilities Achieve SCS financial targets by collaborating with stakeholders like Pricing, Product Management and Operations, ensuring profitable and sustainable business growth.

•    Deliver strategic initiatives to meet financial goals, including designing and managing SCS products for target markets in partnership with Product Management, ensuring they meet consumer needs and expectations.
•    Develop and maintain underwriting rules and execution processes, aligning with Santam’s risk appetite for ease of business.
•    Draft, update, and maintain policy wordings, conditions, and rules to minimize underwriting leakage, enhance client experience, and comply with legislative changes.
•    Work with the Pricing team to set rating parameters, underwriting, and rating rules, informed by data analysis.
•    Ensure underwriting approaches reflect actual risk experiences and maintain delegation of authority for flexibility within Santam’s targets.
•    Monitor global underwriting trends for Personal and Commercial risks, exploring innovations and adjustments for the South African market.
•    Propose new solutions to maintain market leadership and engage with Santam Group’s expert underwriters for optimal client and broker solutions.
•    Ensure offerings are competitive and meet market-related standards for effective competition and required returns.
•    Drive and manage profitable growth targets, balancing business classes as needed, and make underwriting decisions that balance logic with relationships.
•    Address profit and growth challenges with solutions like improved underwriting rules, automation, and risk models.
•    Engage with brokers, agents, and external stakeholders on complex underwriting issues, securing buy-in and identifying growth opportunities.
•    Implement and oversee adherence to underwriting guidelines, policies, mandates, and procedures.
•    Approve technical policy wording, underwriting manuals, and reinsurance processes.
•    Report on compliance with underwriting guidelines in partnership with Governance team.
•    Assess and discuss reinsurance programs with Santam Reinsurance for efficiency.
•    Ensure adherence to the National Survey Policy aligned with Santam’s Risk Appetite.
•    Represent Santam at industry forums and SAIA as needed.
•    Influence external stakeholders on insurance and risk relevance.
•    Build and lead an effective SCS Underwriting team, developing specialist skills and managing talent for succession and market leadership.
•    Guide internal staff on complex risks and insurance matters, motivating the team to manage turnover and attract talent.

What do you need?

Bachelor’s degree or relevant insurance qualification e.g. AIISA or FIISA or similar 
•    Proven track record of at least 10 years’ experience within STI Underwriting environment, of which at least 5 years’ management of an underwriting function. 
•    Good knowledge of both Commercial and Personal underwriting is essential.
•    Specialist Property, Motor or Casualty Technical Underwriting expertise.
•    Thorough knowledge of Santam’s products.
•    Knowledge of (and understanding of the impact of) the relevant legislation on the business e.g. Building regulations etc.
•    Advance Computer literacy (MS Word, Excel & PowerPoint)

Skills
•    Commercial lines Underwriting skill
•    Personal lines Underwriting skill
•    Advanced Excel
•    All policy administration and quoting systems of Santam 
•    Management experience in Underwriting
•    Excellent English communication & report-writing skills
•    Presentation skills
•    Establish interpersonal relationship, negotiating and networking skills
•    Ability to influence
•    Ability to work under pressure with appropriate prioritisation skills
•    Results-orientated and deadline driven
•    Good analytical skills and problem-solving abilities
•    Skilled in leading and coaching staff
•    Creativity and ability to innovate and find new solutions to new challenges
•    Able to organise own and others’ workloads to achieve priorities and objectives
•    Demonstrate capability to think of the organisation holistically

The Sanlam Group is committed to achieving transformation and embraces diversity.  This commitment is what drives us to achieve a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace as we believe that these are key components to ensuring a thriving and sustainable business in South Africa.  The Group's Employment Equity plan and targets will be considered as part of the selection process.