Head of Pricing (Insurance)

Job Description:

We are a leading commercial risk specialist in Southern Africa dedicated to proactive risk management and superior customer service. With our deep industry insights and expert knowledge, we partner with customers and brokers to safeguard their businesses and enhance their risk profiles across the continent. We approach customer risk with purpose, collaborating closely with brokers and customers to facilitate informed risk decisions.

 

Key Tasks and Accountabilities:

• Pricing: Evaluate existing and potential new lines of business across the short-term insurance offerings, including Commercial Lines, Personal Lines, Marine, Engineering, and Hospitality.

• Team Management: Lead and manage the pricing team, overseeing approximately 10 individuals.

• Stakeholder Management: Collaborate with various stakeholders across the organization, such as Broker Distribution and Underwriting, to ensure alignment with financial targets.

• Portfolio Analysis: Continuously analyse portfolio results to guide pricing decisions and explore alternative courses of action as needed to achieve business objectives.

• Pricing Best Practices: Develop and/or co-develop pricing best practices, including system design and procedures, and assist in their implementation as required.

• Pricing Tools Oversight: Take overall responsibility for pricing tools used, including contracting, budgeting, implementation, and alignment with industry best practices.

• Strategic Translation: Translate organizational plans into actionable pricing bases and risk management strategies consistent with standards and governance policies.

• Predictive Analysis: Utilize statistical techniques to predict the outcomes of alternative courses of action accurately and contribute to strategic decision-making.

• Project Leadership: Lead complex pricing assignments and projects requiring integration across various business units.

• Actuarial Support: Provide actuarial support and insights to the business, offering guidance on underlying performance and profitability monitoring.

• Reporting: Create and maintain business reports to monitor profitability and identify market opportunities.

• Business Support: Translate income statement deviations into underwriting and pricing actions and play a leadership role in driving pricing initiatives.

 

Relationships:

• Internal: Collaborate with various internal stakeholders including IT, Underwriting, Claims, Finance, Risk Management and Sales and Distribution.

• External: Engage with consultants, software providers, Insurance Partners and relevant industry groups.

 

Qualifications & Experience:

• Minimum NQF Level 7 (University degree) in Actuarial Science or related field.

• Qualified FASSA designation of the Actuarial Society of South Africa or equivalent.

• Minimum five years' experience in short-term insurance pricing, including modelling and deployment.

• Experience providing actuarial advice to senior management.

• Strong background in underwriting, portfolio management and general management.

• Experience in project management and large-scale IT development projects.

 

Behaviours:

• Collaborative mindset with the ability to influence across functions.

• Self-motivated and proactive with a drive to achieve business objectives.

• Professional, enthusiastic, and positive attitude.

• Deadline-oriented with the ability to work under pressure.

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage a team effectively.

 

Knowledge:

• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of actuarial principles, legislation and pricing best practices.

• Proficiency in finance, accounting and economic trends impacting underwriting and pricing.

• Proficient product knowledge with an understanding of policy wordings and commercial and personal lines.

• In-depth understanding of the insurance industry trends, regulations and market dynamics.

• Knowledge of IT governance and software development lifecycle.

• Familiarity with enterprise underwriting strategy development and implementation.

 

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in English; proficiency in additional languages preferred.

• Strong communication and presentation skills.

• Advanced computer literacy, including SAS, VBA and pricing software.

• Expertise in statistical and actuarial pricing tools and methods.

• Knowledge of IT architecture and fault diagnosis.

• Advanced understanding of portfolio management and optimization methods.

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