Discovery – Insure

Manager Assessing Non-motor (Investigations) – Short Term Insurance (Manager level)

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 to not only achieve financial success, but to ignite positive and meaningful change within our society.

About Discovery Insure

Discovery Insure is committed to creating a nation of great drivers and building better businesses through our innovative Shared-value Insurance model. Discovery Insure is South Africa’s fastest growing short-term insurance company with comprehensive products that provide protection against current and emerging risks facing clients in the motor and home. Vitality Drive, an internationally recognised and award-winning programme, is a key differentiator in the market that incentivises and rewards clients for driving well. The Vitality Drive programme has been scaled to local and international markets which now include Europe and the Middle East.

The company employs over 1 000 people who are committed to putting our customers and financial advisers first by providing unique and innovative solutions and cover.  

Key Purpose 

To lead and manage the Assessing and Investigations function within Discovery Insure, ensuring accurate, fair and commercially sound claims outcomes. The role is accountable for the assessment and investigation of complex, high-risk and potentially fraudulent claims, while driving operational excellence, regulatory compliance and customer-centric service delivery.

The incumbent will provide strategic and operational leadership to the investigations team, implement fraud detection and prevention initiatives, and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to mitigate risk, protect the business against financial losses and uphold the integrity of the Discovery Insure claims process.

Key Outputs and Responsibilities

Leadership and People Management

• Lead, develop and inspire a high-performing team of Assessors and Investigators.
• Provide coaching, mentoring and career development support to enhance technical capability and leadership readiness.
• Drive employee engagement, accountability and performance within the team.
• Foster a culture aligned to Discovery's values and purpose.
• Manage workforce planning, succession planning and talent development within the function.

Claims Investigation and Fraud Management

• Oversee the investigation of complex, suspicious and high-value claims to ensure accurate and defensible claim outcomes.
• Drive the identification, detection and prevention of fraudulent claims activity.
• Establish and continuously improve investigation methodologies, standards and controls.
• Ensure investigations are conducted objectively, fairly and in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Support legal proceedings and litigation matters where investigation findings are required.

Operational Excellence

• Develop and implement operational strategies to improve investigation effectiveness, productivity and service delivery.
• Monitor key performance indicators, operational trends and risk indicators to identify improvement opportunities.
• Ensure adherence to service standards, turnaround times and quality requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, reduce leakage and improve customer outcomes.

Risk, Governance and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with applicable legislation, regulatory requirements and Discovery Insure policies.
• Maintain robust governance and control frameworks across the investigations environment.
• Identify emerging fraud risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Provide assurance on investigation quality, accuracy and consistency of outcomes.

Stakeholder Management

• Build effective relationships with internal stakeholders including Claims, Underwriting, Actuarial, Legal, Risk and Compliance teams.
• Engage with external stakeholders including attorneys, forensic specialists, law enforcement agencies, industry bodies and service providers.
• Partner with business leaders to proactively address fraud and claim-related risks.

Reporting and Business Insights

• Analyse investigation outcomes, fraud trends and operational performance data.
• Produce and present management information and performance reports to senior leadership.
• Provide strategic insights and recommendations to support business decision-making and risk management.
• Monitor industry developments and emerging fraud patterns to inform business strategy.

Qualifications

Essential

• Grade 12 / Matric.
• Minimum 8 years' experience in short-term insurance claims.
• Minimum 4 years' leadership experience managing an investigation and assessing team.

Advantageous

• Higher Certificate or Diploma in Short-Term Insurance.
• Diploma or Degree in Insurance, Risk Management, Forensic Investigation or a related field.
• ACFE (Association of Certified Fraud Examiners) qualification.
• Motor industry qualifications such as Motor Assessing or Mechanical Technology.

Knowledge and Technical Competencies

• Short-term insurance claims management.
• Insurance fraud detection and investigation techniques.
• Claims assessment and validation methodologies.
• Regulatory and legislative knowledge applicable to the insurance industry.
• Risk management and governance principles.
• Financial and operational analysis.
• Report writing and presentation skills.
• Stakeholder and vendor management.
• Process improvement and operational optimisation.

Leadership Competencies

Driving Results

• Establishes clear performance expectations and delivers sustainable business outcomes.

Strategic Thinking

• Anticipates risks and opportunities and translates business objectives into actionable plans.

Decision Making

• Makes balanced, data-driven decisions in complex and high-risk situations.

Building Talent

• Develops capability within the team and creates a high-performance culture.

Stakeholder Influence

• Builds credibility and effectively influences internal and external stakeholders.

Customer Focus

• Balances commercial outcomes with fair customer treatment and exceptional service delivery.

Accountability

• Takes ownership of outcomes and drives continuous improvement.