Head of Reinsurance: Business Development

Introduction Guardrisk is the undisputed market leader in cell captive insurance and risk solutions. We are renowned for our innovative approach to cell captive structures and other alternative risk transfer solutions for our clients. Guardrisk offers clients custom designed cover and is registered in South Africa as an insurer for all statutory classes of non-life and life insurance business.

Disclaimer As an applicant, please verify the legitimacy of this job advert on our company career page.

Role Purpose The Head of Reinsurance: Business Development is responsible for originating, structuring, negotiating, and managing strategic risk-sharing and risk-taking arrangements that support Guardrisk Life’s growth objectives, capital efficiency, and risk management strategy. The role will identify and develop new business opportunities through partnerships with insurers, reinsurers, distributors, financial institutions, and other strategic stakeholders, while ensuring that solutions deliver sustainable value to the business.

Requirements

• Degree in Actuarial Science, Finance or related field.

• Nearly or Newly Qualified Actuary, CA, or equivalent qualification will be advantageous.

• Significant experience in life insurance, reinsurance, corporate development, partnerships, or business development.

• Proven track record in structuring and negotiating commercial transactions.

• Strong understanding of insurance risk transfer, capital management, and financial performance drivers.

• At least 7 years relevant working experience in the life insurance/reinsurance industry.

Duties & Responsibilities****Key Responsibilities:

Strategy and Business Development

• Assist to develop and execute the company’s risk-sharing and risk-taking strategy.

• Identify new opportunities to grow the book of business through strategic partnerships.

• Build and maintain relationships with insurers, reinsurers, intermediaries, affinity partners, and other market participants.

• Monitor market trends and competitor activity to identify emerging opportunities.

Deal Origination and Execution

• Key involvement in the origination, assessment, structuring, negotiation, and implementation of opportunities.

• Develop business cases and financial analyses to support proposed transactions.

• Negotiate commercial terms with partners and ensure alignment with company objectives.

• Coordinate internal stakeholders to facilitate efficient deal execution.

Portfolio Growth and Management

• Drive profitable growth of the risk-sharing and risk-taking portfolios.

• Monitor the performance of existing partnerships and identify opportunities for expansion or optimisation.

• Establish performance metrics and regularly report on portfolio outcomes.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the relationship manager with strategic partners.

• Collaborate closely with actuarial, finance, legal, product, distribution, underwriting, and operations teams.

• Present opportunities and recommendations to executive committees and boards where required.

Governance and Risk Management

• Ensure all arrangements comply with regulatory requirements, governance standards, and risk appetite.

• Work with risk, legal and compliance functions to assess and manage transaction risks.

• Maintain appropriate documentation and governance over all partnership arrangements.

Competencies****Skills and Competencies:

• Strategic thinking and commercial acumen.

• Excellent negotiation, influencing and relationship management skills.

• Strong analytical, financial, and actuarial modelling skills.

• Relationship management and networking capability.

• Ability to identify and execute growth opportunities.

• Executive-level communication and presentation skills.

• Strong project and stakeholder management skills.

• High integrity and decision-making skills.