General Manager – Underwriting & Reinsurance

The General Manager – Underwriting & Reinsurance at Old Mutual Kenya is responsible for the company's technical performance, covering underwriting, reinsurance, customer service, and overall departmental management. This executive role involves developing and implementing underwriting strategies, pricing models, and risk appetite for all non-life insurance products. The General Manager also designs and manages the reinsurance program to safeguard capital and earnings efficiently, while overseeing business retention and ensuring renewal and specialty budgets are met. As a member of the Executive Committee (ExCo), the role contributes to the company's strategic direction, ensuring profitable growth aligns with Board-approved risk appetite, Group technical standards, and regulatory requirements set by the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA).

1. Contribute to company strategy as an ExCo member and translate it into a three-year underwriting and reinsurance plan.
2. Define target portfolio mix by class, channel and segment, with growth and profitability targets for each.
3. Lead the technical input into the annual business plan, budget and capital plan.
4. Represent underwriting and reinsurance at Board committee meetings.
5. Set the underwriting policy, guidelines and risk appetite for every class, and keep them current.
6. Oversee acceptance of large, complex and non-standard risks within delegated authority.
7. Maintain a tiered authority framework for underwriters, brokers, agents and bancassurance partners, with regular audit of its use.
8. Drive portfolio remediation: re-price, re-underwrite or exit loss-making segments and accounts.
9. Ensure accurate risk surveys, risk engineering and loss-prevention support for commercial and corporate clients.
10. Own technical pricing and rating models for all classes, working with Actuarial.
11. Monitor loss ratios, combined ratios, rate adequacy and premium leakage monthly, and act on adverse trends.
12. Work with Claims on claims-cost insight, reserving trends and fraud patterns that affect pricing.
13. Approve new products and product changes, including filing with the IRA where required.
14. Design the annual reinsurance programme (treaty and facultative) to fit risk appetite, capital and Group guidelines.
15. Lead renewal negotiations with brokers, reinsurers and Group reinsurance, and secure Board approval of the programme.
16. Ensure compliance with statutory cessions and local-placement rules, and file treaty arrangements with the IRA on time.
17. Manage reinsurer security: counterparty ratings, concentration limits and credit exposure.
18. Oversee reinsurance accounting, bordereaux, recoveries and reconciliation with Finance, keeping reinsurance debtors within target.
19. Model catastrophe and accumulation exposure (such as flood, political violence and aggregates) and buy protection to match.
20. Keep underwriting and reinsurance within IRA requirements, Group standards and internal policy.
21. Support risk-based capital, IFRS 17 and ORSA processes with accurate technical data and assumptions.
22. Maintain underwriting risk registers, controls and audit action plans, closing findings on time.
23. Uphold Treating Customers Fairly, AML/CFT and sanctions screening in the underwriting process.
24. Lead, develop and retain a high-performing technical team, with clear succession for each key role.
25. Build technical depth through professional qualifications (CII, IIK), training and structured delegated-authority growth.
26. Champion data, automation and digital underwriting tools that improve speed, accuracy and customer experience.
27. Champion Old Mutual’s purpose, values, and victory condition across the organization, shaping culture and behavior.

1. Proven ability to manage staff and provide leadership to achieve results.
2. Capability to handle complex and demanding challenges effectively.
3. Strong skills in building high-performing teams that leverage diverse skills and perspectives.
4. Demonstrated accountability for meeting commitments.
5. Deep understanding of business and market dynamics to advance organizational goals.
6. Strategic vision to foresee future possibilities and translate them into breakthrough strategies.
7. Consistent track record of achieving results, even in challenging circumstances.
8. Strong customer focus, providing cautious, timely, and helpful service to foster client loyalty.
9. Ability to engage and inspire others, creating a motivating climate for achieving objectives.
10. Cultivates innovation by developing new and improved ways for organizational success.
11. Skilled in developing talent to meet both individual career goals and organizational objectives.
12. Strong technical capabilities, offering guidance and making informed decisions on complex technical matters.
13. Good knowledge of all General insurance products.
14. Excellent technical knowledge in underwriting and Reinsurance.
15. Strong communication skills.
16. Awareness of current political and social affairs.
17. Computer literate.
18. Diplomacy and tact.
19. Honesty and Integrity.
20. Good assessment and analytical skills.
21. Ability to interact effectively at all levels.
22. Bachelor's degree required.
23. MBA degree is an added advantage.
24. ACII qualification.
25. Minimum of 10 years of experience, with at least 5 years in Top Management.