Quality Assurance Manager

To lead and manage the Underwriting Function within a larger portfolio developing and implementing effective underwriting strategies that minimise risk while achieving business objectives. This role is responsible for ensuring the quality and consistency of underwriting decisions while driving continuous improvement in processes and practices.

Qualifications :

Type of Qualification: First Degree
Field of Study: Business Commerce Finance and Accounting Legal Mathematical Sciences Risk Management Engineering Sciences Study Direction

Experience Required
Insurance
Insurance
8-10 years
Ability to translate business objectives into effective underwriting strategies and operational plans

Develop lead and implement the operational underwriting strategic vision roadmap and annual operating plan for the
Underwriting function ensuring alignment with the IAM Business Units overall objectives and risk appetite
Continuously monitor industry trends competitor activities global best practices in underwriting and regulatory developments to
identify opportunities and threats informing strategic adjustments and ensuring competitive positioning.
Develop implement and maintain underwriting standards and guidelines to ensure consistent high-quality risk assessment and
pricing across the portfolio. Continuously review and refine underwriting standards in response to portfolio performance claims
trends and market conditions
Define and embed the risk appetite framework including target segments exposure limits and restricted classes of business.
Monitor and enforce alignment of underwriting activity with the organisations risk appetite and strategic objectives. Recommend
adjustments to risk appetite based on emerging risks underwriting performance and external market developments
Establish monitor and manage underwriting authority limits and portfolio risk appetite ensuring robust controls are in place to
maintain portfolio quality and adherence to defined risk parameters. Identify and quantify risk exposure define coverage limits
exclusions deductables etc and guide the team in applying underwriting guidelines models and professional judgement.
Oversee and provide final adjudication for complex high-value or sensitive underwriting cases that fall outside standard authority
limits or require expert judgment ensuring equitable and compliant outcomes.
Oversee processes for effective clear transparent and empathetic communication of underwriting decisions to clients and
intermediaries strictly adhering to treat Customers Fairly (TCF) principles.
Resolve complex and high-risk high nett worth underwriting queries disputes or issues and orchestrate the resolution by
facilitating and coordinating the decisions and actions of various internal and external stakeholders
Provide expert underwriting input feasibility assessments and sign-off for the development and launch of new insurance
products ensuring their profitability market viability and alignment with the underwriting strategy and risk appetite.
Oversee and rigorously analyse the performance of the Underwriting portfolio including key metrics such as loss ratios expense
ratios hit rates retention rates and claims experience identifying trends and implementing corrective actions.
Promote and leverage advanced data analytics and predictive modelling within the underwriting function to generate actionable
insights identify emerging risks support product development and refine underwriting models.
Develop and present comprehensive reports and insightful analyses on underwriting performance portfolio risk exposure and
strategic initiatives to executive leadership (e.g. Portfolio Head) and other relevant executive committees.
Formulate implement and continuously review underwriting policies guidelines and procedures across all relevant product lines
(e.g. life health general insurance) to ensure consistency profitability and regulatory compliance. Ensure adherence to
underwriting protocols including risk selection pricing discipline policy structuring and documentation standards in the
underwriting function.

Essential Functions

• Direct the underwriting function to ensure stringent adherence of all underwriting activities to all relevant South African financial services legislation (e.g. FSCA TCF POPIA FAIS AML) and internal Standard Bank Group governance policies and ethical standards.
• Establish and maintain robust internal controls within the underwriting function ensuring constant readiness for internal and external audits and efficiently implementing all recommended corrective actions.
• Implement and oversee robust controls processes and training within underwriting to proactively detect prevent and mitigate fraud misrepresentation and adverse selection.
• Design implement and manage a robust quality assurance framework for all underwriting decisions conducting regular audits and reviews to ensure accuracy consistency and strict adherence to established standards and policies.
• Champion initiatives for continuous process improvement automation and digital transformation within the underwriting function to enhance efficiency reduce turnaround times and improve the client and intermediary experience.
• Drive the effective utilisation and continuous enhancement of underwriting systems data analytics tools and technology solutions to support efficient risk assessment robust data management and informed decision-making.
• Lead or actively participate in cross-functional projects that impact the underwriting function ensuring effective representation of underwriting perspectives and successful project delivery.
• Collaborate effectively with key internal departments such as Actuarial Claims Product Development Sales Operations Legal Finance and Compliance to ensure seamless workflow mutual understanding of impacts and strategic alignment Additional Responsibilities Manage and nurture strategic relationships with key external partners including reinsurers brokers medical service providers

Additional Responsibilities

• Manage and nurture strategic relationships with key external partners including reinsurers brokers medical service providers third-party administrators and industry bodies to optimise risk transfer identify new business opportunities gather market intelligence and ensure best practice adoption Lead mentor coach and develop a high-performing team of underwriting managers senior underwriters and specialists fostering a culture of technical excellence continuous professional development and strong risk acumen.
• Implement robust talent management practices including recruitment performance management training needs identification and succession planning to ensure a skilled and sustainable underwriting workforce.
• Develop manage and monitor the annual budget for the underwriting department ensuring optimal allocation of financial resources and adherence to financial targets set by the Portfolio Head

Behavioural Competencies:

• Checking Things
• Developing Strategies
• Directing People
• Examining Information
• Exploring Possibilities
• Following Procedures
• Generating Ideas
• Managing Tasks
• Producing Output
• Pursuing Goals
• Taking Action
• Upholding Standards

Technical Competencies:

• Automation Acumen
• Claims Knowledge and Management
• Client Acceptance & Review
• Client Relationship Management
• Coaching and Mentoring Operational Practices
• Collaboration
• Continuous Improvement
• Insurance Principles
• Insurance Products & Services
• Operations Risk Management
• Process Management
• Resource & Capacity Optimization
• Risk Perception & Assessment
• Strategic Alignment & Execution
• Underwriting and Pricing Risk
• Underwriting Management
• Underwriting Process

Remote Work :

Yes

Employment Type :

Full-time

Experience: years
Vacancy: 1