Head of Risk Engineering

What will you do?

We have a exciting opportunity for a Head of Risk Engineering within Santam Specialist Solutions based in Gauteng.

What will make you successful in this role?

The primary purpose of this position is to manage the Risk Engineering department. Providing internal technical information service to Portfolio Managers, Portfolio Executives, and Underwriters regarding risk control standards and requirements as applicable and relevant to insurance and the underwriting of corporate risks.

Key Functions

Team & Risk Management:

• Oversee and manage the Risk engineering team/department
• Understanding insurance risks
• Planning and controlling work activities of external/ contracted independent surveyors.
• Ensuring that the standards of Fire and Engineering surveys are maintained throughout and setting minimum Information and Risk description requirements.
• Good understanding of EML and MPL calculations
• Prioritization of Survey requests and allocation of Survey activities.
• Attending to the personal development needs of the Risk engineering team in terms of their interpersonal skills, report writing ability, and analytical skills.
• Maintaining a survey information system and risk engineering database.
• Preparation of Risk Recommendations, Requirements, and Monitoring of their Implementation.
• Liaising with industry bodies and reinsurers about effective Fire and Risk protection and mitigation standards.
• Performing ad-hoc Fire and Risk surveys (including post-loss surveys) and generation of reports.
• Road-trip preparation and scheduling of meetings with clients
• PowerPoint presentation preparation
• Solving queries on instructions between various departments
• Team coordination within the Risk Engineering Department

Ad Hoc Functions

• Prepare Exco Reports
• Regular Staff performance management and reporting
• Other ad hoc functions in assisting the department

Other:

• Keeping abreast of industry and new technical standards and developments regarding Fire Protection and Loss Prevention.
• Provide an in-house technical information system and develop and maintain systems that support this service.
• Must have well-developed and proven analytical skills and preferably have had formal training in analytical techniques and process safety studies (MOC/ FMEA / HAZOP).
• Knowledge and application of MHI regulations, as well as exposure to Mine survey activities, would be a strong recommendation.
• Must have had exposure to design procedures and application of design and engineering standards, especially in relation to fire protection, including SANS, ASIB, NFPA, and FM Standards. Experience and understanding of those standards in relation to chemical, petrochemical, and bulk petroleum facilities would be a definite advantage
• Good understanding of the insurance industry market and the terminology used.

Qualifications & Experience

• Matric
• Engineering Degree
• Non-Negotiable: Must have 10 years of risk engineering experience within the insurance industry
• FCII, ACII, or other relevant tertiary qualification, registration with an industry body preferred.
• Comprehensive understanding of insurance legislation
• Must have experience with insurance operating systems
• Valid driver's license

Skills

• Good communication and interpersonal skills; comfortable with phone and face-to-face complex discussions with underwriters, brokers, and any other relevant stakeholders.
• Deadline focused; able to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines and able to organise own workload effectively to prioritise to meet service standards.
• Operationally efficient; able to follow all process requirements.
• Utilization of AI and Machine Learning to improve efficiency of survey report generation and turn-around times
• Value addition to insureds and clients through innovative and cost-effective Risk Mitigation implementation
• Administrative Skills
• Analysis and Judgement
• GREAT Attention to Detail
• Client Orientation
• Communication Skills
• Initiative
• Teamwork
• Time Management and working under significant pressure