Head of Insurance Strategy & Business Development

We’re working on a highly confidential mandate for a Head of Insurance Strategy and Business Development; a role designed for someone who can think at an executive level, act commercially, and deliver real impact in a complex, fast-moving environment.

Our client operates within the long-term insurance space, with a strong focus on innovation, accessibility, and sustainable growth. This role sits at the heart of the business, partnering closely with executive leadership to define and execute strategy, unlock new markets, and scale distribution.

This is not a maintenance role: It’s a build, shape, and grow mandate. You will take ownership of the insurance strategy across product, market expansion, and distribution, while driving financial inclusion through relevant and accessible insurance solutions. The position requires a balance of strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and execution excellence, with visibility at the CEO and Board level.

If you thrive in environments where you can influence direction, build partnerships, and scale businesses, this opportunity offers both a challenge and impact.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and execute the long-term insurance strategy across product, market expansion, and distribution
• Partner with executive leadership to shape the broader business strategy and unlock new opportunities
• Identify growth opportunities through market analysis, customer insights, and competitive intelligence
• Drive innovation across product design and go-to-market models
• Ensure alignment with regulatory development
• Own the full product lifecycle from development and pricing to optimisation
• Ensure compliance with FAIS and long-term insurance regulations
• Drive profitability through performance analysis, claims insights, and customer behaviour
• Maintain strong governance and risk management framework
• Expand and diversify distribution across digital, corporate, and community channels
• Build and manage strategic partnerships to scale the business
• Develop integrated distribution ecosystems
• Support marketing and customer acquisition and retention strategies

Job Experience and Skills Required:

• 10+ years’ experience in long-term insurance (product and/or business development)
• Minimum 5 years in a senior leadership role
• Proven ability to operate at an executive level and influence business direction
• Strong track record in building partnerships and scaling distribution channels
• Experience in mass market or underserved segments (advantageous)
• RE1 and RE5 completed
• FAIS Fit and Proper (Key Individual and Representative)
• Relevant Degree (postgraduate qualification advantageous)

Competency Requirements:

• Strategic thinking & commercial acumen
• Leadership & influence
• Innovation & growth mindset
• Stakeholder management
• Execution excellence
• Governance & risk awareness

Apply now!
For more exciting (Finance/ Engineering/ IT / Supply Chain / Commercial & C-Suite) vacancies, please visit:
I also specialise in recruiting in the following:

• Financial Managers
• Financial Accountants
• Financial Controllers
• Chartered Accountants
• Group Reporting & Consolidations Accountant
• Commercial Finance and FP&A positions

If you have not had any response in two weeks, please consider the vacancy application unsuccessful. Your profile will be kept on our database for any other suitable roles / positions.

For more information, contact:

Ulrike Groenewald
Recruiting Consultant