Senior Underwriting Manager - General Business at Rose Avenue Group

Our client, a financial services group in Kenya, is looking for Senior Underwriting Manager – General Business to oversee and coordinate the underwriting function of the general business by implementing best practices of risk assessment, risk acceptance and service thereby achieving ultimate shareholder value.

JOB PURPOSE and KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial

• Develop and monitor annual production (renewal) targets in the department while taking overall responsibility for achievement of set targets and budgets for the Department.
• Liaise with business partners such as direct clients, agent and brokers on various service issues including provision of competitive quotations on new business, renewals and payments of premiums.
• Provide oversight on credit control in the department while taking overall responsibility for credit levels in the business and correct system data and related outputs.
• Negotiate and ensure purchases of appropriate / adequate reinsurance coverage in line with NEP and profitability targets.

Planning and implementation of processes

• Develop, implement and monitor short- and long-term objectives, policies and standard operating procedures for the department in accordance with industry standards to ensure the department remains competitive and relevant in the industry.
• Establish and promote healthy business processes that ensure efficient and effective client delivery within set expectations and agreed performance standards in the department.
• Vet all risks to ensure that only quality business is accepted into the company at acceptable rates.
• Ensuring that risks undertaken by the company are adequately covered through reinsurance programmes.
• Co-ordinate and supervise approval of policies, endorsements, certificates and all underwriting matters while ensuring high levels of accuracy and quality of documentation.
• Collaborate with relevant departments on business trends, rates, competition, product review and customer care needs and satisfaction so as to sustain a competitive edge in the market.
• Assist in premium collection and participate in driving credit control
• Steer the operations area of the department towards efficiency and effectiveness.
• Contribute and ensure compliance to governance, relevant legislation and risk mitigation strategies.

Customer Services

• Offer professional insurance and technical support to clients, management and other staff members in all areas including risk management and reinsurance business acceptance and placements.
• Design, implement and drive customer service standards that enable efficient and effective client management, administration and maintenance.
• Ensure effective relationships and SLA management with internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide authoritative specialist expertise, judgment and advice to external and internal clients.

People

• Demonstrate exemplary leadership behaviour, through personal involvement, commitment and dedication in support of organisational values.
• Create a positive work climate and culture to energise employees, give meaning to work, minimise work disruption and maximise employee productivity.
• Develop, implement and manage a team with the requisite skills required to deliver on the strategy for the short-, medium- and long-term.
• Identify, define, communicate and obtain buy-in for performance expectations through the implementation of an aligned Balanced Scorecard
• Assess the training needs of the department, carry out staff performance appraisals.
• Conduct continuous training, guidance, coaching and mentoring for the team.
• Take ownership for own learning and development

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Insurance
• Full ACII qualification is a must
• 10 years’ experience 3 of which should be at management level in a busy high performing general business insurance operation.
• Prior Insurance Regulatory Authority Kenya (IRA) clearance
• Specialist in general business underwriting and or claims management
• In depth understand of local Insurance laws, practices and regulatory requirements in Kenya
• Good communication and presentation skills at a senior level
• Strategic planning, budgeting and management experience