Senior Underwriter: Prive

CAREER OPPORUNITY

Prive has a position available for a Prive Senior Underwriter

The position calls for a person who will provide technical underwriting expertise within Prive, SBS Commercial Underwriting. Provide support to Regional Managers and Relationship Managers across the country in managing broker relationships at both strategic and operational levels, ensuring profitable growth and operational efficiency in line with Broker Services and Santam Commercial and Personal objectives.

The Senior Underwriter provides technical underwriting support for the Prive division as well as for the Relationship managers and enables quicker decision-making when engaging with our intermediaries for renewals, technical queries, re-insurance on larger risks and quotes on existing business.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical underwriting expertise and advice for all Classes of Insurance. Specific underwriting expertise to the property classes will be a requirement.
• Assist Relationship Managers in explaining/delivering complex underwriting principles and decisions to intermediaries/brokers.
• Prepare underwriting terms on renewals/ quotes for these policies in line with the Santam Underwriting Guideline and mandates
• Balance growth and profit when making decisions by considering the supporting business and divisional strategy.
• Support Relationship Managers by providing flexibility and quicker turnaround times when engaging with Brokers.
• Analyse profitability of multi-claimants or renewal of individual policies and recommend corrective actions on a portfolio management basis to Regional Managers and Relationship Managers.
• When necessary, discuss and explain Risk Mitigation Opportunities (RMO) from survey reports and negotiate with brokers to obtain buy-in: escalate queries only if unable to resolve to Specialist
• Underwriters and/or risk engineers.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with underwriting guidelines

Qualifications And Experience

• Grade 12 (Matric Certificate) qualification with acceptable pass mark
• Higher Certificate in Insurance or equivalent – NQF level 5
• Bachelor’s degree or relevant insurance related diploma on NQF level 6 ( advantageous)
• Eight years’ experience working in a commercial underwriting department assessing risks, determining pricing and terms across all classes of insurance (Property, Casualty and Motor)
• Thorough knowledge of corporate/ mid corporate underwriting of large to complex risks
• Computer literate (MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint – intermediated proficiency levels)
• FAIS compliance is a business requirement.
• Regulatory Examinations (RE) with full qualification
• Thorough technical, product and wording knowledge of Santam Commercial and Santam AGRI products
• Working knowledge of Re-Insurance is a requirement
• Drivers licence (requirement)

Skills

• Working knowledge of the CRM systems
• In-depth knowledge of Santam Commercial product
• Ability to cope with conflicting demands and to prioritize tasks
• Appreciation of insurance and underwriting principles
• Numerical skills
• Information seeking i.e. likes to get to the bottom of things
• Commercial and profit driven
• Execution and deadline oriented
• Good communication skills (verbal and written)
• Keen attention to detail
• Teamwork and cooperation

COMPETENCIES

• Delivering results and meeting customer expectations
• Relating and networking
• Analysing
• Applying expertise and technology
• Achieving personal work goals and objectives
• Flexibility
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and networking skills
• Strong client service orientation
• Ability to work under pressure
• Self-confidence
• Problem solving
• MS Office package proficiency

About Santam

Santam is the market leader in the general insurance industry in Southern Africa. As a large, diversified, and expanding company, we are committed to transformation and growth. While our headquarters are in South Africa, we are rapidly extending our presence into emerging markets across Africa and Asia.

With a client base of over 1 million policyholders, Santam serves individuals, commercial enterprises, specialist business owners, and institutions—including 80 of the Top 100 companies listed on the JSE. Our commitment to Insurance, Good and Proper goes beyond just providing cover—we offer peace of mind, ensuring our clients can focus on living in the moment, not worrying about the unexpected. Because at Santam, we believe the freedom to seize every day is worth protecting.

People drive our business, and we are committed to attracting the best talent, whether for permanent roles or short-term opportunities.

Santam is committed to diversity, inclusion, and belonging. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including persons with disabilities. We are dedicated to neuro-inclusivity and fostering a workplace where everyone can thrive.

Take the next step in your career—apply now and be part of a company that’s shaping the future of insurance. This is Freedom!