Marine Leader

The Role 

Marine Leader 

Overview of the role:

• Running of the Marine business unit in South Africa – that is involved in client servicing, placement broking, post loss risk improvements & supporting the claims team by understanding the circumstances of loss incidents, determining policy response, and providing complex claims advice.
• Develop the national Marine business unit into a viable segment of the WTW value proposition that leads to excellent client retention and future revenue growth.
• Expand and develop our Marine risk advisory “menu of services” to diversify revenue streams that will retain and attract new clients.
• Develop and maintain  relationships with the South African Marine Insurance market and with WTW local facultative reinsurance and London Marine wholesale colleagues, to enhance our understanding of the market, improve WTW competitiveness and placement capabilities
• Prepare and assist with broking submissions, assimilate complex risk information, analyse risk exposure data and identify appropriate placement solutions to meet client’s risk exposure needs
• Broke and or assist with the placement of our clients’ risks into the South African and overseas Insurance markets, including taking responsibility for developing / identifying suitable placement strategies
• Work with underwriters and WTW London Marine brokers, to develop innovative placement solutions for our clients’ risk exposure needs, closing gaps in coverage terms and addressing unmet uninsured risk exposure needs where they may arise
• Coordinate with WTW’s global Marine broking teams, to ensure our clients get access to the best foreign markets and access to best advice solutions.
• Undertake account management and servicing, including understanding clients or prospects business models and the key risk exposures that face their business activites
• Maintain and build client and cedant relationships through attendance at meetings, both in person and virtually, as needed
• Ensure clients and cedants are kept informed of the any market trends or developments that may influence their business or (re)insurance coverage
• Facilitate renewal of our clients’ business in a smooth and timely manner, ensuring they are kept updated of developments throughout the renewal process
• Research and evaluate all solutions (insurance and otherwise) to identify and develop optimum risk solutions for our clients
• Ensure on-going compliance with WTW Operational and Compliance guidelines and procedures, to ensure the highest standards of service and advice are maintained
• Understand and use relevant WTW systems to support and enhance service delivery
• Work with the WSA leadership to continuously build a healthy marine prospect pipeline, identify opportunities and convert them into RFP opportunities. 
• Work with the WTW new client sales team and other specialist placement leaders to convert identified prospect opportunities into new clients. 
• Support growth of our marine business by supporting client service teams to enhance each customer experience whilst interacting with the WTW multi-skilled service.
• Ensure the marine value proposition is clearly communicated, to ensure it is a contibutor to revenue growth and client retention.
• Build relationships and increase connectivitywith WTW Global Marine specialists to exchange best practice approaches that result in our customers receiving global best practice solutions and claim settlements. 

Performance Objectives

You will be responsible for discussing and agreeing the annual performance objectives with your direct reports. 

You will provide thought leadership to the Marine team in respect of marine risk exposures, scope of coverage, claim settlements and market placement trends.

Responsibilities

• To actively assist clients to understand their coverage and to advise them on claims formulation and Insurer presentation.
• To negotiate with Insurers for satisfactory resolution of claims.
• To mediate between client and Insurers where claims are in dispute.

Insurers

• To assist in preparing tenders and business sales/production as required.
• To support the regional office network on Marine insurance related matters generally.

The Requirements 

• Preferably ACII qualified or equivalent industry experience
• A proven track record in insurance broking
• An in-depth knowledge of marine Insurance, to address any client questions and technical issues
• Good communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills
• Experience handling and managing complex marine clients
• Willingness to travel locally and internationally, as required
• Ability to assimilate and apply large volumes of information rapidly
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a wider team
• Able to prioritise, manage deadlines and work under pressure
• Comfortable explaining complex concepts and making recommendations to client servicing teams and clients
• Ability to adapt personal style to work effectively with a wide range of clients, colleagues and underwriters
• Must be prepared to work with integrity and openness, complying at all times with local regulatory and WTW requirements.
• Good IT skills with excellent Word and Excel usage capability
• Ability and attitude to daily apply the Ideal Team Player attributes of being humble, work smartly and always looking for more to do

Qualifications

>20 years working in Marine and Insurance broking

Skills

• Excellent communicator
• Ideal Team player
• Attention to detail and quality – attitude to constantly improve capabilities
• IT & systems literate – Microsoft Office

• Managerial ability re: motivation, decision-making, delegating and have a daily driven purpose

   

Knowledge/Experience

• Insurance industry exposure is highly preferable
• Demonstrable track record of success in Marine insurance.

Preference will be given to applicants from designated groups, in line with the South African Employment Equity Act.

WTW is committed to finding opportunities to promote workplace flexibility when possible based on the needs of our customers and the company. We are pleased to say that this role meets the criteria for flexible work. 

We’re committed to equal employment opportunity and provide application, interview and workplace adjustments and accommodations to all applicants. If you foresee any barriers, from the application process through to joining WTW, please email candidate.helpdesk@willistowerswatson.com”