Job Description

What will you do?
We have an exciting opportunity for a Liability Underwriter at SHA Risk Specialists.
What will make you successful in this role?
Key responsibilities include:
Underwriting:

• Underwrite and manage a portfolio of existing and new business, which may be complex in nature, including all tasks associated therewith but not limited Underwriting Governance which includes detailed risk evaluation and assessment, coverage and exposure analysis, pricing determination, detailed claims analysis (understanding loss ratios and claim trends) and wording review & negotiations within underwriting authority.
• Refer and acquire sign-off relating to matters falling outside of own authority, in accordance with authority matrix.
• Adherence at all times to the authority matrix, departmental protocols and procedures, including Underwriting Governance provisions.
• Detailed explanations regarding changes with respect to terms/ underwriting stance.

Client and Marketing:

• Visit brokers to discuss renewals and new business with a focus to build relationships and develop market presence.
• Feedback on market intelligence.

Client Liaison (Internal and External):

• Respond to queries and resolve to the satisfaction of the affected parties within the scope of authority and / or responsibility.
• Prepare for and attend meetings.

Financial:

• Meet budget responsibility for a book of business.
• Monitor renewals, lapsed policies and new business with monthly report back.
• Ensure premiums are paid timeously.

Strategic Input:

• Provide strategic input for relevant business area if and when required.

Staff:

• Mentor and provide technical training of current and new staff if and when required.
• Assist Underwriting Head or Business Head in the day-to-day management of staff on underwriting matters and other issues if and when required.
• Assist with performance management of staff if and when required.

General Administration:

• Follow up on quotations and renewals.
• Sign and check policy documentation.
• Issuance of Confirmation of cover documents timeously.
• Handle accounts queries.
• Assist with credit control if and when required.
• Production and / or sign-off of reports within stipulated timeframes.
• Attend to daily administrative routine tasks in accordance with organisational standards, processes and procedures.

Qualifications & Experience

• 5 years Liability/Construction
• Broking/underwriting experience (This is not a trainee position.)
• Matric
• NQF 7 insurance or risk management qualification
• FAIS compliant - RE 5
• Class of Business - Commercial

Skills

• Good understanding of insurance industry including the reinsurance market and the terminologies used.
• Sound technical understanding of policy wordings.
• Able to evaluate information from a variety of sources and solve problems.
• Good decision-making skills; able to consider the costs and benefits of various options and choose (and articulate) the appropriate one.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills; comfortable with phone and face to face complex discussions with underwriters, brokers and any other relevant stakeholders. Confident in negotiation and networking. Scenarios and able to manage difficult and complex conversations.
• Deadline focused; able to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines and able to organise own workload effectively to prioritise and delegate to meet service standards.
• Operationally efficient; able to follow all process requirements.
• Presentation skills; able to present informally and formally for training (internal and external), marketing and renewal purposes.

Competencies

• Administrative Skills
• Analysis and Judgement
• GREAT Attention to Detail
• Client Orientation
• Communication Skills including negotiation
• Initiative
• Managing work and delegation
• Teamwork
• Time Management and working under significant pressure
• Systematic and Logical/Critical Thinking
• Technical proficiency and proven underwriting track record in relevant line(s) of business
• Financial Acumen
• Track record for handling high pressure work environment
• Computer Literacy
• Strong Communication Skills (Internal & external)
• Competent user of Excel, Word, Outlook and other Microsoft platforms.