We're looking for a Business Development Manager: Construction & Engineering who understands that.
Reporting to the Senior Business Development Manager, this role is responsible for growing and managing a Construction & Engineering portfolio across an assigned broker network in Durban. You'll play a critical role in attracting and retaining quality business, strengthening broker partnerships, driving sustainable premium growth, and ensuring underwriting profitability while maintaining strong governance and compliance standards.
What you'll be trusted to own
This is more than a business development role.
It's about balancing growth, profitability, underwriting discipline, broker engagement, and risk management to deliver long-term portfolio success.
You'll:
Build and maintain strong relationships with assigned brokers through a structured visitation and engagement programme.
Identify, develop, and convert new business opportunities aligned to underwriting appetite and profitability objectives.
Present Construction & Engineering products, propositions, and technical updates to brokers and stakeholders.
Represent the business at broker engagements, industry events, and networking opportunities.
Deliver Gross Written Premium (GWP), new business, retention, and portfolio growth targets.
Monitor portfolio profitability, loss ratios, production trends, and growth performance, implementing corrective actions where required.
Conduct renewal reviews and engage brokers on actions required to retain profitable business.
Underwrite and assess Construction & Engineering risks using qualitative and quantitative risk information.
Provide quotations and recommend appropriate rates, terms, conditions, and cover structures within delegated authority.
Escalate complex technical underwriting matters and provide evidence-based recommendations.
Coordinate and support risk surveys where required.
Apply treaty and facultative reinsurance principles and ensure placement and compliance requirements are met.
Ensure accurate application of Sasria cover, rates, processes, and compliance requirements.
Collaborate with underwriting, claims, credit control, and operations teams to resolve broker and client queries effectively.
Monitor market developments, competitor activity, and portfolio trends to identify opportunities and risks.
Maintain accurate records, portfolio reporting, and compliance with governance, regulatory, and underwriting requirements.
Required Knowledge and Experience
What you'll bring
A reputation for building strong broker partnerships, applying sound underwriting judgement, and delivering profitable portfolio growth within a specialist insurance environment.
Minimum 5 years' insurance experience, including underwriting and business development exposure within Construction & Engineering or a related specialist insurance class.
Proven experience in broker relationship management, portfolio growth, new business development, and retention management.
Strong understanding of Construction & Engineering insurance products, risk assessment, and technical underwriting principles.
Sound knowledge of portfolio analysis, profitability management, loss ratios, and underwriting performance metrics.
Experience working with treaty and facultative reinsurance structures and processes.
Knowledge of Sasria cover, rating structures, and compliance requirements.
Strong negotiation, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
Commercial acumen with the ability to balance growth objectives against portfolio quality and risk exposure.
Experience managing complex technical risks will be advantageous.
Strong understanding of claims, credit control, and broader insurance operational processes.
Educational Requirements
Required Qualifications
BCom Degree or a comparable Insurance qualification.
FAIS Compliant and RE Compliant, with at least an NQF Level 4 Insurance Qualification.
Valid driver's licence and own reliable transport.
Relevant Construction & Engineering Insurance Qualification will be advantageous.