About this role
CAREER OPPORTUNITY A career opportunity is available within Santam Commercial Underwriting, Survey Department, for a Head Surveyor based in Johannesburg. The role leads the regional survey team while also applying advanced technical knowledge to assess risk, strengthen underwriting insight and support practical risk improvement. The Head Surveyor is both a leadership and operational role. The successful candidate will guide and mentor survey staff, oversee quality and service delivery, conduct and review surveys, manage controllable regional expenses, and build trusted partnerships with internal and external stakeholders. JOB DESCRIPTION The Head Surveyor translates national survey direction, standards and governance into consistent regional execution. The role combines hands-on risk surveying with leadership of people, quality, productivity, technical escalation, financial discipline, stakeholder alignment and continuous improvement. Conduct desktop and physical surveys, particularly for complex, high-hazard or strategically important risks Review and quality-assure completed survey reports for accuracy, completeness, logical consistency and underwriting relevance. Mentor and develop Surveyors and Senior Surveyors to achieve quality, productivity and service standards. Provide technical insight on rational fire designs, sprinkler reports and other specialist matters within the role’s competence and mandate. •Use operational learning to improve regional delivery, survey products, processes, guidance and tools. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Leadership and people management Lead the daily rhythm, priorities and delivery focus of the Johannesburg regional survey team. Coach, mentor and develop Surveyors and Senior Surveyors through structured guidance, practical exposure and constructive feedback. Build technical confidence and independence while maintaining appropriate supervision and review. Facilitate knowledge transfer and learning on risk exposures, legislation, standards, risk management practices and the value of surveying. Promote accountability, collaboration, service excellence, professional conduct and succession readiness. Build an engaged, values-led team culture grounded in collaboration, care, integrity and innovation. Survey delivery and technical risk insight Ensure surveys provide underwriters with a clear, accurate and useful view of risk exposures and controls. Apply knowledge of relevant legislation, bylaws, standards, geographical exposures, operations, production processes and machinery hazards. Promote recommendations that prioritise life safety, followed by asset protection and business continuity. Explore practical and proportionate risk improvement alternatives before final outcomes are confirmed. Provide technical guidance and clear escalation on complex risks, safety-critical matters and interpretation gaps. Quality assurance and technical governance Review, approve, reject or return reports for correction in line with the applicable review process and authority. Provide clear, truthful and respectful feedback that supports learning and improved report quality. Ensure supporting evidence is captured or referenced where it informs the risk assessment. Use quality findings to identify repeated errors, process gaps, calibration needs and training opportunities. Maintain technical integrity, clear decision rationale and an appropriate audit trail. Financial stewardship and operational efficiency Plan regional survey activity to balance service delivery, risk urgency, capacity and cost effectiveness. Monitor controllable regional expenses, including travel, accommodation, external survey support and resource use. Reduce avoidable costs through sound routing, coordinated travel, effective work allocation and reduced rework. Manage the procurement and delivery of external surveys in line with approved parameters, quality standards and service expectations. Escalate emerging cost pressures, capacity constraints or unusual expenditure early to the National Survey Manager. Make cost-conscious decisions without compromising technical quality, life safety or underwriting value. Contribute to business performance by supporting profitable growth, sound underwriting decisions, improved net insurance outcomes and disciplined management of controllable expenses. Service delivery, capacity and performance Monitor workload, survey appointments, service levels, productivity, aged work and backlog health. Allocate or coordinate work according to risk, urgency, geography, skills and available capacity. Maintain service continuity through coverage planning, regional collaboration and early escalation. Use performance data and evidence to identify root causes, remove blockers and prioritise improvement actions. Share clear regional performance, capacity, quality and cost insights with the National Survey Manager. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Stakeholder and partnership leadership Act as a trusted technical adviser to Surveyors, Underwriters, Technical Managers, Relationship Managers, Brokers and Clients. Build stakeholder understanding of the need to survey risks and the value of practical risk mitigation. Explain technical findings and the why behind recommendations in clear, accessible language. Engage constructively on complex or adverse outcomes and support appropriate solution-driven alternatives. Provide surveying guidance and support across Santam Group businesses when required and within mandate. Broker obsession, distribution enablement and profitable growth Place broker success at the centre of survey engagement by helping brokers become more capable and confident risk managers. Partner with Distribution and Relationship Managers to support profitable growth in unit count, portfolio quality and retention. Provide brokers with practical training, technical guidance and risk insight that improves the quality of risk conversations with clients. Help brokers understand survey findings, underwriting expectations and practical mitigation alternatives so that more risks can be improved and retained where appropriate. Use regional survey trends to identify portfolio opportunities, recurring exposures and areas where targeted broker education could unlock sustainable growth. Develop or contribute to broker-facing guidance, presentations, workshops and learning content. Support Distribution with credible technical input for new business opportunities, portfolio reviews and strategic broker engagements, without compromising risk integrity or underwriting authority. Measure and share evidence of survey contribution to broker capability, unit growth, retention and portfolio improvement. Agile delivery, improvement and innovation Participate in relevant planning, stand-ups, reviews and demonstrations for assigned improvement work. Own agreed deliverables, make progress visible, raise blockers early and collaborate across regions and functions. Provide practical operational and technical input into survey products, processes, guidance and digital tools. Support testing, implementation, communication, training and adoption of approved changes. Encourage responsible use of technology, automation and data to improve quality, efficiency and insight. Ensure improvement work has clear written objectives, agreed deliverables, visible ownership and evidence of delivery for each planning cycle. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Matric and a Fire Service qualification, Technical Engineering degree or diploma, or another relevant technical qualification. At least 10 years’ risk surveying or related experience. Proven competence in commercial risk surveying, including complex and high-hazard risks. Proven leadership, mentorship and coaching capability. Knowledge of underwriting processes, policy wording, relevant legislation, standards and bylaws. Advanced fire protection, risk prevention or related technical training will be advantageous. A valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel or work in other regions when required. Computer literacy, including Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint. COMPETENCIES Collaboration and client focus. Drives results with flexibility and adaptability. Analysing and attention to detail. Applying expertise and technology. Learning, researching and cultivating innovation. Planning, organising, writing and reporting. Mentoring, coaching and capability development. Risk management and sound problem solving. Adhering to principles, values, governance and procedures. ABOUT SANTAM Santam is the market leader in the general insurance industry in Southern Africa. As a large, diversified, and expanding company, we are committed to transformation and growth. While our headquarters are in South Africa, we are rapidly extending our presence into emerging markets across Africa and Asia. With a client base of over 1 million policyholders, Santam serves individuals, commercial enterprises, specialist business owners, and institutions—including 80 of the Top 100 companies listed on the JSE. Our commitment to Insurance, Good and Proper goes beyond just providing cover—we offer peace of mind, ensuring our clients can focus on living in the moment, not worrying about the unexpected. Because at Santam, we believe the freedom to seize every day is worth protecting. People drive our business, and we are committed to attracting the best talent, whether for permanent roles or short-term opportunities. Santam is committed to diversity, inclusion, and belonging. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including persons with disabilities. We are dedicated to neuro-inclusivity and fostering a workplace where everyone can thrive. Take the next step in your career—apply now and be part of a company that’s shaping the future of insurance. This is Freedom!