Introduction
We are seeking an experienced and driven Underwriting and Claims Leader to oversee both the underwriting and claims functions within a dynamic life insurance environment. This leadership role is responsible for ensuring high-quality decision-making, effective risk management, regulatory compliance, and exceptional service delivery across both teams.
The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership, manage escalated and complex underwriting and claims matters, develop high-performing teams, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced insurance professional looking to make a meaningful impact within a growing organisation.
Duties & Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Management
- Lead, coach and develop the Underwriting and Claims teams.
- Monitor team performance against agreed service levels and quality standards.
- Conduct regular performance reviews and identify training and development opportunities.
- Foster a collaborative, customer-centric and high-performance culture.
Underwriting Oversight
- Ensure underwriting decisions are consistent with company policy, risk appetite and underwriting guidelines.
- Review complex, high-value or escalated underwriting cases.
- Monitor underwriting quality, trends and portfolio performance.
- Ensure turnaround times and service level agreements are achieved.
Claims Oversight
- Oversee the assessment and settlement of claims in accordance with policy terms and regulatory requirements.
- Manage escalated, disputed and complex claims.
- Ensure fair and empathetic claims handling while maintaining sound risk management principles.
- Monitor claims trends, reserving accuracy and fraud indicators.
Governance, Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure compliance with all applicable legislation, internal governance standards, reinsurer requirements and underwriting authorities.
- Maintain audit-ready documentation and accurate records.
- Identify operational and compliance risks and implement corrective actions.
- Support internal and external audit processes.
Reporting & Business Performance
- Prepare and present monthly underwriting and claims performance reports.
- Monitor key operational and financial performance indicators.
- Analyse trends to identify opportunities for process improvement and risk mitigation.
- Provide insights and recommendations to senior management.
Process Improvement & Stakeholder Management
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across underwriting and claims processes.
- Develop and maintain standard operating procedures.
- Build strong relationships with brokers, broker consultants, reinsurers and internal stakeholders.
- Support strategic business initiatives relating to underwriting, claims and product performance.
Desired Experience & Qualification
Qualifications
- Grade 12 (Matric).
- Industry-relevant qualification in Finance, Insurance, Risk Management, Business, Law, or a related field.
- FAIS/RE5 accreditation.
- Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Insurance, Risk Management, Business, Law, or a related field.
- Professional Insurance, Underwriting and/or Claims qualification.
Experience
- Minimum of 10 years' experience within the life insurance industry.
- Minimum of 5 years' senior underwriting experience is essential.
- Minimum of 5 years' management experience, leading high-performing underwriting and/or claims teams.
- Experience in claims assessment will be advantageous.
- Strong technical knowledge of life insurance underwriting, claims assessment, and risk evaluation.
- Proven experience managing complex or escalated underwriting and claims cases.
- Sound understanding of insurance legislation, governance, regulatory compliance, and industry best practices.
- Experience working with reinsurers, brokers, intermediaries, and other insurance stakeholders.
- Demonstrated success in performance management, operational reporting, business improvement initiatives, and driving service excellence.
Key Competencies
- Strong leadership, coaching, and people management skills.
- Excellent decision-making, analytical thinking, and problem-solving ability.
- Strong risk assessment and sound commercial judgement.
- Ability to interact confidently with executive management and influence strategic decisions.
- Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills across all levels.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to effectively manage conflict and resolve complex issues.
- Highly organised with exceptional planning, prioritisation, and reporting skills.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality and compliance.
- Customer-focused with a commitment to delivering excellent service.
- Results-driven with a proven ability to deliver on time, every time.
- Ability to perform effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
- Passion for continuous improvement and raising operational standards.
Package & Remuneration
- Market-related salary package, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
- Permanent position.
- Opportunity to lead two critical operational functions within a growing insurance business.
- Professional development and career growth opportunities within senior operational leadership.
Interested?
Legacy Recruitment Company
Jeska Brits
188 Biggarsberg Street
2190 Johannesburg
