Talent Pool Head Volume & Underwriting Manager

Guardrisk is the undisputed market leader in cell captive insurance and risk solutions. We are renowned for our innovative approach to cell captive structures and other alternative risk transfer solutions for our clients. Guardrisk offers clients custom designed cover and is registered in South Africa as an insurer for all statutory classes of non-life and life insurance business.

The Head: Volume & Underwriting Managers is holistically responsible for the Guardrisk Life Volume & Underwriting Managers team. As the manager of a business unit in Guardrisk Life the Head is responsible for all client facing elements of the business unit financial performance new business objectives operational matters and for managing the portfolio managers in the Volume & Underwriting Managers team. The Head: Volume & Underwriting Managers must actively participate in and contribute to the development and implementation of Guardrisk Lifes strategic initiatives with a core focus on growing the business.

Clients

Consult with clients on their Life insurance business goals to ensure alignment of objectives between Guardrisk Life and its stakeholders. This engagement encompasses the full insurance value chain and includes the strategic objectives of the client.

Take overall responsibility for resolving all Volume & Underwriting Managers client matters which includes financial legal actuarial operational reinsurance risk and compliance including market conduct concerns.

Build trusted relationships with Guardrisk Lifes stakeholders including cell owners reinsurers intermediaries binder holders and the Regulator.

Business Development

Responsible for taking the Volume & Underwriting Managers value proposition to the market to ensure the continued growth the business unit.

Identify strategically important new business opportunities and tailor solutions to meet the identified needs of the potential clients.

Structure transactions which include cell captive similar arrangement and profit share structures in order to generate growth for Guardrisk Life.

Identify corporate transaction opportunities for Guardrisk Life and actively participate in taking such deals though the evaluation and execution process which includes drafting of business cases building and reviewing of financial models negotiations with stakeholders and implementation post-acquisition.

Develop an ongoing prospect list through liaison within the greater business broker relationships and direct client interaction.

Draft proposals in response to new business opportunities.

Build relationships with industry stakeholders and cultivate distribution channels for new cell captive opportunities.

Responsible for managing new business leads and guiding such opportunities through the Guardrisk Life new business process.

Manage the new business process for Volume & Underwriting Managers opportunities which requires liaison with internal and external stakeholders.

Technical

Provide support to and assist Volume & Underwriting Managers portfolio managers to understand and resolve client queries.

Advise internal and external stakeholders on various elements of the insurance value chain including cell captives similar arrangements intermediary binder and outsource agreements underwriting structures reinsurance and financing arrangements.

Participate in and contribute to product design discussions with clients and Guardrisk Life technical areas.

Responsible for implementing and maintaining compliant and operationally accurate contractual relationships with external stakeholders.

Team management

Manage the portfolio managers in the Volume & Underwriting Managers team.

Responsible for facilitating the insurance technical training of the Volume & Underwriting Managers team.

Responsible for training the Volume & Underwriting Managers team on the internal and operational processes of Guardrisk Life.

Responsible for the engagement between the Volume & Underwriting Managers team and the various technical areas in Guardrisk Life to ensure successful collaboration and efficient timeous output delivery.

Responsible for the financial management of the Volume & Underwriting Managers team including budgeting financial performance and new business.

Qualifications & Experience

Relevant tertiary qualification: BSc; BCom; etc.

Relevant professional qualification: Qualified actuary (preferred); Chartered Accountant; Chartered Financial Analyst; etc.

Technical / Legal certification

FAIS Compliant

RE5 and RE1 is advantageous

5-10 years experience in the Life insurance industry

At least 5 years experience in a leadership position

Commercial and client facing experience is essential

Strong Life insurance technical knowledge and understanding

Strong actuarial and/or accounting skills would be preferred

Deal making and structuring experience would be preferred

Good leadership skills

Well-developed people skills

Ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders

Results oriented

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Negotiation skills

Critical thinking skills

Business acumen

Strong deal making skills with a focus structuring of insurance transactions

Self-starter with the ability to work independently

Ability to manage engagement with various stakeholders concurrently