Key Accountabilities
- Oversee that new and existing UMA portfolios are analysed and evaluated effectively within delegated authority limits to achieve agreed levels of underwriting performance.
- Progress the sales and underwriting strategy and business plan for the Region that will establish the business unit as a centre of excellence for sales and underwriting execution.
- Ensure that all monthly processes and production of management reports for each UMA are completed and well managed.
- Deliver a targeted underwriting profit coupled to targeted growth across the portfolio and managing the regional expense ratio and spend.
- Optimisation of sales and underwriting related activities across the Region by building a robust sales and underwriting strategy and executing on it,
- Manage and measure all activities through deploying best of breed practices coupled to learning and development of staff.
- Driving the development of new broker relationships and the management of existing broker relationships across the country
- Implementation of effective and efficient business processes to deliver a better customer service and reduce expenses within the business unit.
- Influence current and future sales and underwriting strategies.
- Drive the culture to optimise performance
- Track and manage expenses, regional as well as individual costs per staff member, i.e. cellphones, fuel etc
- Ensure alignment between marketing initiatives through prioritisation of sales initiatives.
- Influence the decisions around the development of sales channels by participating in decisions around new and current channels
- Report on variances for the utilisation and establishment of sales and underwriting performance measurements to the appropriate leadership structures
- Cultivate a customer centric culture through continuous communication of a customer service strategy to ensure customer orientation and focus across the Region
- Conduct in-depth investigations, where recurring issues are identified that relate to the sales or underwriting performance to ensure that corrective and preventative measures are put in place.
- Ensure sales and underwriting planning is linked to optimal customer experience.
- Set, optimise and align governance framework to ensure alignment to strategy and optimal customer experience.
- Monitor effectiveness of current sales initiatives and make recommendations to future programmes.
- Monitor effectiveness of sales campaigns to ensure optimal execution and instruct that reparative actions be taken where required.
- Meet or improve on the targeted loss ratio.
- Establish stakeholder needs and expectations in order to develop effective stakeholder engagement plans.
- Update the leadership and staff on a monthly basis and provide operational input on the regional performance.
- Meet with brokers on a regular basis.
Qualification & Experience
- B-degree in Commerce, Sciences, Business Administration, or Finance / equivalent
- Graduate calibre with 10 years+ short term insurance industry experience
- Proven experience in leading and managing teams
- Previous experience in senior management role
- Proven experience with brokerages, and a strong market profile a distinct advantage
- FAIS compliant
- KI/RE1
- RE 5 Product
Knowledge Required
- Sound understanding and knowledge of South African Insurance/re-insurance market and global markets.
- Sound knowledge of statutory and legislative requirements.
- Good technical knowledge and understanding of sales and underwriting principles.
- Sound knowledge of New Co South Africa and its business strategy and objectives.
Technical Skills
- Proven track record of successful delivery.
- Good financial and budgeting skills to control and track sales performance and expenses.
- Strong decision maker with excellent judgement and application.
- Superior communication, influencing and negotiation skills.
- Ability to present and communicate confidently at all levels of the organisation.
- Ability to work outside conventional boundaries, to challenge and promote.
- Strong networking skills.
- Comfortable working across internal organisational boundaries.
- Sound business and financial acumen.
- Project Management
Leadership Skills
- Team building, coaching and leadership
- Talent management
- Planning & Organising
- Interpersonal Skills
- Strategic thinking
- Strong performance management skills
Closing date: 13 August 2025