Discovery Health
Underwriter (Senior) – Vitality Life
About Discovery
Discovery’s core purpose is to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives. We seek out and invest in exceptional individuals who understand and support our core purpose, and whose own values align with those of Discovery. Our fast-paced and dynamic environment enables smart, self-driven people to be their best. As global thought leaders, Discovery is passionate about innovating in order to not only achieve financial success, but to ignite positive and meaningful change within our society.
About the Vitality Life Underwriting Team
A dynamic team with a wealth of knowledge which we eagerly share. We strive to be the best in the market, living the Discovery values. Our motto is best terms first – right decision…first time…on time…every time.
Key Purpose
To underwrite all cases for VitalityLife, our UK based Life Insurance company, within authority limits and all benefits taking into account medical, financial, territorial and vocational risks of new and existing business. To support dedicated Key Distribution partners and advisors through various communication channels. To underwrite more complex cases which could include medical reports, aviation questionnaires, etc.
Key outputs
The successful applicant will be responsible for but not limited to the following job functions:
Building effective relationships with brokers, franchises and our internal system department to ensure successful execution of our deliverables and targets.
Make effective decisions by applying underwriting knowledge and experience to ensure that the risks involved have been weighed up.
Ensuring that the Underwriting system is efficient and effective by reporting systems difficulties to the relevant systems team.
Demonstrate a bias for speed and execution in assessing and underwriting a minimum of 50 cases per day to ensure outcomes are delivered.
Conduct accurate underwriting requirement setting within SLA in order to meet objectives
Make Underwriting decisions on Level 1 and Level 2 cases for effective problem solving.
Deal with underwriting related queries on the broker and franchises for better service delivery.
Managing the underwriting production for the first pass and level 1 (Path) work and to make sure SLAs are met in order to ensure a smooth flow in the system.
Competencies and Skills
Behavioural Competencies
Following instruction and procedures (Self-development)
Analysing (Managing Complexity)
Optimise work processes
Applying Expertise and Technology
Adhering to Principles and Values
Learning and Researching (Nimble Learning)
Presenting and communicating information (Communicating effectively)
Delivering results and meeting customer expectations (Customer focus)
Deciding and initiating action (Decision Quality)
Working with people (Collaborating)
Writing and reporting (Communicating effectively)
Knowledge
Understanding VitalityLife Products – Advanced
Financial Principles and Interpretation – Intermediate
Understanding VitalityLife Systems – Advanced
UK Specific Insurance Legislation – Intermediate
Medical conditions – Intermediate
Understanding of Risk Management & assessment - Intermediate
Skills
Computer literacy (MS word, Excel, AI tools) – Intermediate
Communication (Written & Verbal) – Advanced
Decision making / Independent thinking – Advanced
Analysis of information - Advanced
Personal Attribute and Skills:
Customer Centric
Able to work during international business hours (UK Time zone)
Education and Experience
Education:
Matric/Grade 12 is essential (Mathematics, Biology/Life Sciences and English)
Medical Diploma advantageous
Insurance/Underwriting/Risk Management qualification is advantageous
Experience
Medical or Insurance experience is advantageous
A minimum of 5 years working experience in an underwriting environment in the life insurance industry is essential.
Underwriting experience in United Kingdom may be advantageous.
EMPLOYMENT EQUITY
The Company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.
Imagine a world where people live healthier, more enhanced and protected lives… A world in which each organisation is a powerful influencer and responsible corporate citizen, committed to being a force for social good. As a leading innovator in healthcare, wellness, insurance, investments, financial and life planning, Discovery works ceaselessly to make this vision a reality.
Fuelled by our passion for enhancing lives and our desire to innovate, Discovery consistently sets global standards, creating shared value through shared intellectual capital. A testament to this is our Vitality programme, which is both a platform to incentivise people to live healthier lives as well as a channel through which shared value is delivered.
We are a proudly South African-born, global company with health, life and short term insurance operations in South Africa and the United Kingdom, and a presence in Germany, France, the United States, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, China and Japan through our Global Vitality Network. We uphold our promise of shared value by being a positive disruptor that focusses on bringing about sustainable change in the lives of the people and communities we serve across the globe.
Our Vitality Shared-Value Insurance model has received international recognition, including being ranked 17th in Fortune’s index of 51 companies “changing the world” in August 2015, and named a leading health innovator at the World Economic Forum in January 2017.
Our values of leadership, honesty, innovation and fairness act as our compass, directing our business practices to take advantage of every opportunity while looking for ways to dazzle clients.
With an unwavering commitment to being the best shared value insurance organisation in the world, Discovery is a powerful force for social good.
