Assistant Underwriting Manager- General Insurance

Old Mutual Kenya is a financial services company established in 2015, operating in the banking, financial services, and insurance sectors in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Assistant Underwriting Manager at Old Mutual Kenya is responsible for evaluating and pricing general insurance risks according to established standards, ensuring high-quality risk selection and efficient service delivery. This role also involves achieving operational excellence within the underwriting department and continuously developing and reviewing insurance products to align with evolving market needs.

1. Ensure all accepted risks comply with underwriting guidelines and reinsurance programs.
2. Provide technical guidance to staff on rating and underwriting complex risks.
3. Support management in various underwriting processes, including business onboarding, documentation, risk surveys, valuations, policy issuance, certificate management, cancellations, refunds, and underwriting manual reviews.
4. Contribute to product development and innovation initiatives, ensuring existing products are regularly reviewed to meet changing market demands.
5. Assist with product reviews, risk pricing, and quotation generation.
6. Address daily operational queries promptly to ensure smooth operations and positive customer experiences within specified turnaround times.
7. Help review underwriting processes, systems, and standard operating procedures to adapt to changing business needs and emerging control risks.
8. Prepare and submit monthly underwriting returns to the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA).
9. Update and manage all compliance risks, events, indicators, and actions within the risk management system.
10. Conduct audits and monitor compliance levels across various areas, such as underwriting guidelines, documentation, authority matrix, data completeness, risk cessioning, and adherence to filed and reinsurance rates.
11. Enforce and ensure full compliance with all regulations and internal policies.
12. Review and approve policy schedules and documents.
13. Identify training needs related to processes and products, then organize relevant training sessions to address these gaps.
14. Support the coaching and mentoring of staff on underwriting guidelines, standard operating procedures, and technical product knowledge.

1. Minimum of 5 years of experience in the insurance industry.
2. In-depth knowledge of underwriting principles and general insurance products.
3. Sound technical and underwriting skills.
4. Extensive product knowledge.
5. Strong analytical, customer service, and communication skills.
6. Ability to plan and prioritize work to meet organizational goals.
7. Proficiency in managing complex, high-volume information to solve problems effectively.
8. Capability to build strong, diverse teams that achieve common goals.
9. Accountability for meeting commitments.
10. Strong business insight and market knowledge.
11. Strategic vision to identify future possibilities and develop breakthrough strategies.
12. Consistent achievement of results, even under challenging circumstances.
13. Customer-focused approach, providing timely and helpful service.
14. Ability to engage and inspire others to achieve organizational objectives.
15. High level of honesty, integrity, and authenticity to instil trust.
16. A mindset that cultivates innovation for organizational success.
17. A Bachelor’s degree in insurance, actuarial science, or a business-related field.
18. Professional qualification (ACII or IIK) or significant progress towards one.