Old Mutual Trainee Underwriter 2026 – Pinelands, Cape Town | Medically Aligned Qualification | Life Insurance Career

Old Mutual South Africa, one of Africa's largest and most trusted financial services groups — listed on the JSE, London, Malawi, Namibia, and Zimbabwe stock exchanges — is inviting graduates with a medically aligned qualification to apply for a Trainee Underwriter position at their Pinelands office in Cape Town, Western Cape.

Old Mutual's Life Assurance underwriting division is responsible for assessing and managing the medical and financial risk associated with life insurance, disability, and income protection products sold to millions of South Africans. As a Trainee Underwriter, you will be developed into a specialist who reviews risk submissions from clients, agents, and referrals — applying medical knowledge and underwriting principles to determine the acceptability and pricing of life assurance and individual benefit proposals.

This role is perfectly suited for a graduate with a nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or other medically aligned qualification who wants to leverage their healthcare knowledge in a structured, financially rewarding corporate career within South Africa's leading life assurance environment — without remaining in a clinical setting.

Old Mutual offers a clear, structured pathway from Trainee Underwriter through to Senior Underwriter, with ongoing professional development, formal training, and mentorship every step of the way.

Key Responsibilities

• Review new business and renewal proposals to ensure acceptability and completeness of underwriting and rating information

• Apply underwriting and risk-selection techniques to assess the acceptability of new and renewal life assurance risks

• Provide price quotations for underwriters and refer unusual or complex cases to senior colleagues

• Use specialist medical knowledge to assess claims in the individual life benefit range

• Carry out research and analysis to support the development, validation, and improvement of automated underwriting processes

• Gather, monitor, and analyse risk data and recommend further investigation using established risk management models

• Carry out compliance monitoring activities and support regulatory requirements within the underwriting department

• Engage in ongoing learning and professional development within the underwriting practice

Salary: R20,000 – R28,000 per month (Salary not specified by employer — estimated based on Old Mutual South Africa trainee underwriter market rates, 2025/2026)

• Completed Bachelor's Degree or 3-year Diploma in a medically aligned field — Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Biokinetics, Speech Therapy, or equivalent

• Specialised medical knowledge through formal education or practical experience is essential

• Strong numerical aptitude and analytical thinking ability

• Computer literate — proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English

• Detail-oriented with strong organisational and planning ability

• Action-oriented with a collaborative, accountable, and professional approach