Job Title: Lead, Underwriting – Special Risks

Sector/Industry: Insurance
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Work Structure: Hybrid

About the Client

Our client is a reputable and forward-thinking insurance organization with a strong presence in the Nigerian market. The company is committed to delivering innovative risk solutions across diverse sectors while maintaining high standards of underwriting discipline, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction.

As part of its growth and operational excellence strategy, the organization is seeking a Team Lead, Special Risks Underwriting to provide technical leadership across complex risk portfolios and drive underwriting performance within specialty lines.

Job Summary

You will be responsible for leading underwriting activities across complex and high-value risk classes, including Energy (Oil & Gas), Aviation, Marine, and other specialty lines.

The role requires strong technical expertise in risk evaluation, pricing, reinsurance alignment, and portfolio management to ensure profitability and compliance with underwriting standards. You will also supervise underwriting officers, drive risk selection discipline, and support the continuous development of the underwriting function.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Underwriting & Risk Assessment

• Evaluate and approve complex and high-value risks within delegated underwriting authority.
• Conduct detailed risk assessments including exposure analysis, hazard identification, and loss history evaluation.
• Review contract wordings and structure policy terms, limits, and deductibles appropriate to risk complexity.
• Ensure technically sound pricing using established rating models and market benchmarks.
• Escalate risks beyond authority limits with clear technical recommendations.

Portfolio & Performance Management

• Monitor underwriting performance, loss ratios, and turnaround times across the team.
• Ensure consistency in underwriting decisions, documentation, and compliance standards.
• Identify portfolio risks and implement corrective actions to improve performance and profitability.

Team Leadership & Development

• Supervise, coach, and mentor underwriting officers to enhance technical capability.
• Allocate workload effectively and monitor team productivity.
• Support onboarding and continuous training initiatives for underwriting staff.

Business & Operational Support

• Collaborate with marketing and business development teams to support business growth.
• Provide technical underwriting support for renewals, endorsements, and complex risk placements.
• Work closely with claims and reinsurance teams to ensure alignment and effective risk management.

Compliance & Documentation

• Ensure strict adherence to underwriting guidelines, regulatory requirements, and internal policies.
• Maintain accurate underwriting records, documentation, and audit trails.
• Support internal audits and compliance reviews.

Reporting & Insights

• Prepare underwriting and performance reports for management review.
• Provide insights on portfolio trends, risk exposures, and market developments.

Reporting Structure

Reports To: Head of Underwriting

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Insurance, Finance, or a related discipline.
• Professional certification such as ACIIN is required.

Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's)

Experience

• Minimum of 6 years' underwriting experience, with exposure to supervisory or leadership responsibilities.
• Proven experience handling special risks portfolios including Oil & Gas, Marine, Aviation, or similar specialty lines.
• Demonstrated ability to manage underwriting performance and portfolio profitability.

Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of special risks underwriting principles and practices
• Understanding of reinsurance structures and placement strategies
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements within the insurance industry
• Knowledge of risk assessment methodologies and pricing models

Skills

• Strong analytical and technical underwriting skills
• Leadership and team management capability
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills
• Problem-solving and decision-making ability
• Attention to detail and risk evaluation expertise

Abilities

• Ability to make sound underwriting decisions under pressure
• Strong sense of accountability and professional integrity
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Capacity to drive performance and continuous improvement within a team