Head of Operations - Insurance in England

Head of Operations - Insurance in England

England Full-Time 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead operations for a new Lloyd’s Syndicate, driving efficiency and compliance across various functions.
  • Company: Join Santam Syndicate 1918, a dynamic entity of the largest insurance company in South Africa.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of insurance operations and make a real impact in a start-up environment.
  • Qualifications: 6+ years in insurance operations with strong regulatory knowledge and strategic thinking skills.
  • Other info: Be part of a team that values innovation and empowers its members.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ per year.

This career opportunity is available at Santam Syndicate 1918 for a Head of Operations - Insurance who will be based in London and have the right to work in the UK.

What Will You Do?

  • Responsible for building and leading the operations of Syndicate 1918 (a new Lloyd’s Syndicate), covering underwriting operations, credit control, reinsurance administration and market integration across open market, delegated authority, consortia, reinsurance and Quota Share business.
  • The role will include oversight and co-creation of technology-related processes, giving critical input into tooling decisions and architecture, together with the IT & Data Manager.
  • Partner across underwriting, finance, actuarial, compliance and claims to establish scalable, efficient and compliant processes aligned to Lloyd’s standards and regulatory requirements.
  • This role requires a strategic thinker and operator capable of working at pace, to establish a best-in-class greenfield operating model and ensuring seamless execution while building scalable capabilities for future growth.

Syndicate Start-Up & Operations:

  • Design and implement the operating model across all aspects.
  • Create scalable processes for underwriting support, policy admin, reinsurance admin and credit control.
  • Lead Lloyd’s readiness, regulatory submissions, operational resilience and operational governance.
  • Define KPIs, SLAs, controls and oversee systems/vendor implementation.

Underwriting Operations:

  • Oversee underwriting operations across open market, delegated authority, consortia, reinsurance and Quota Share.
  • Ensure accurate risk data, workflow controls, referrals, sanctions and documentation.
  • Manage consortia lead/follow requirements, data exchange and governance.
  • Support inward/outward reinsurance ops including setup, processing and controls.
  • Ensure reporting, bordereaux accuracy and high-quality MI across all business classes.

Credit Control Operations:

  • Manage credit control across all business types with focus on data accuracy, EPI management, settlement due-dates, cash allocation and debt recovery.
  • Oversee delinquency, aged debt escalation and broker engagement.
  • Deliver MI on debt ageing and settlement performance aligned with Finance.
  • Support compliance with Lloyd’s PMD and internal credit governance.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Relevant Degree
  • 6+ years’ experience in insurance or reinsurance operations within the Lloyds or London Market delivering operational change and transformation, such as:
  • Process redesign and automation
  • Data quality and reporting improvements
  • Cost efficiency and scalability initiatives
  • Degree-qualified in a relevant discipline (e.g. Business, Finance, Insurance, Risk Management, Economics) or equivalent professional experience
  • Professional insurance qualifications highly desirable, such as: ACII / FCII (Chartered Insurance Institute), Lloyd’s Market Association (LMA) or London Market–specific qualifications
  • Strong regulatory knowledge, including Lloyd’s Minimum Standards, FCA / PRA regulatory framework, Solvency II / UK Solvency UK requirements
  • Demonstrated understanding of the Lloyd’s operating environment, including: Managing agents, syndicate governance, coverholders, and delegated authority arrangements
  • Change and transformation qualifications (e.g. Lean, Six Sigma, PRINCE2, Agile) beneficial but not essential
  • KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

    • Delivering results and meeting customer expectation
    • Networking
    • Applying expertise and technology
    • Achieving personal work goals and objectives
    • Attention to detail
    • Planning and organising skills
    • Problem Solving
    • Negotiating
    • Business Acumen/Knowledge
    • Business Analysis

    PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

    • Drives results
    • Deciding and initiating action
    • Leading and supervising
    • Collaborates
    • Client focus
    • Flexibility and adaptability
    • Cultivates innovation
    • Strategic decision making
    • Analytical thinking
    • Influencing/ gaining commitment
    • Business acumen
    • Coaching and development

    WHO WE ARE:

    Santam syndicate 1918 is a new wholly owned and capitalised entity of Santam Insurance, the largest insurance company in South Africa with a 107 year heritage. 1918 is strategically important in expanding and developing Santam’s international footprint, through access to the London market talent, distribution network and Lloyd’s global insurance and reinsurance licenses. Our syndicate is a London managed and run business, with a strong, experienced leadership team, focused on underwriting discipline, whilst allowing our teams to feel empowered and accountable for their actions. We are building a collaborative team where underwriting, claims, actuarial and other functions work closely, to help achieve superior underwriting results.

    Head of Operations - Insurance in England employer: Santam Syndicate 1918

    Santam Syndicate 1918 is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide opportunities for professional development and the chance to shape a new Lloyd’s Syndicate from the ground up. Our culture promotes empowerment and accountability, ensuring that every team member plays a vital role in achieving superior underwriting results while enjoying the benefits of working within a well-established global insurance leader.
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    Contact Detail:

    Santam Syndicate 1918 Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Head of Operations - Insurance in England

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the insurance and reinsurance sectors, especially those connected to Lloyd's. Attend industry events or webinars to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Prepare for interviews by researching Santam Syndicate 1918 and understanding their operations. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in building scalable processes and operational governance.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Showcase your strategic thinking skills! During interviews, share examples of how you've successfully implemented change and transformation in previous roles. Highlight your ability to work at pace and deliver results.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Santam Syndicate 1918.

    We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operations - Insurance in England

    Operational Change Management
    Underwriting Operations
    Credit Control Management
    Regulatory Knowledge
    Data Quality and Reporting
    Process Redesign
    Cost Efficiency Initiatives
    Stakeholder Collaboration
    KPI and SLA Definition
    Problem Solving
    Business Analysis
    Strategic Decision Making
    Attention to Detail
    Flexibility and Adaptability
    Change Management Qualifications

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Operations role. Highlight your experience in insurance operations, especially any work with Lloyd's or the London Market. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!

    Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past achievements in operational change and transformation that relate to what we do at Santam Syndicate 1918.

    Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: In your application, emphasise your strategic thinking abilities. We’re looking for someone who can design and implement scalable processes, so share any relevant experiences where you’ve successfully led similar initiatives.

    Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Santam Syndicate 1918!

    How to prepare for a job interview at Santam Syndicate 1918

    ✨Know Your Stuff

    Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the Lloyd's market and the specific operations of insurance and reinsurance. Familiarise yourself with key terms, regulatory requirements, and the latest trends in the industry. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show that you're genuinely interested in the role.

    ✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking

    As a Head of Operations, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to think strategically. Prepare examples from your past experience where you've successfully implemented operational changes or led transformation initiatives. Be ready to discuss how you can apply these skills to build scalable processes for Syndicate 1918.

    ✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

    Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think about potential challenges you might face in this role and how you would address them. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.

    ✨Connect with the Team Spirit

    This role requires collaboration across various departments. Be prepared to discuss how you've worked effectively with different teams in the past. Highlight your interpersonal skills and your ability to foster a collaborative environment, as this will be crucial for building a strong team at Syndicate 1918.

    Head of Operations - Insurance in England
    Santam Syndicate 1918
    Location: England

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