An established insurance group operating across the Pacific is seeking a Country Manager to lead its Vanuatu business through its next phase of stability, capability uplift, and sustainable portfolio management.

This is a hands-on leadership role suited to an insurance professional who combines strong underwriting judgement with people leadership, commercial awareness, and the ability to operate effectively in a small, catastrophe-exposed market.

The Country Manager will have full responsibility for the performance, governance, and development of the Vanuatu operation. The business is well-established in-market, has a strong reputation and relationships, and now requires a leader who can embed underwriting discipline, strengthen risk management, and develop capability.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of the Vanuatu insurance operation, including underwriting, claims, finance, and administration
• Actively manage the insurance portfolio, with a strong focus on catastrophe exposure and risk mix
• Ensure underwriting discipline and portfolio risk settings align with Group risk appetite
• Drive portfolio remediation and diversification to support long-term sustainability
• Build strong relationships with brokers, clients, reinsurers, and regulators
• Oversee claims performance and large event response planning
• Develop, mentor, and uplift the capability of a local team across underwriting, claims, and operations
• Foster a strong, accountable, and development-focused culture

About You

You are an insurance professional who brings both technical credibility and leadership presence. You are comfortable being hands-on, setting direction, and supporting a small team in a developing market environment.

• A solid insurance background, ideally with experience in underwriting or insurance portfolio risk management
• The ability to confidently assess and manage catastrophe exposure
• Strong people leadership skills, with a genuine interest in mentoring and capability development
• Commercial acumen and sound judgement in balancing risk and opportunity
• Confidence engaging with brokers, clients, and market stakeholders
• Adaptability, energy, and resilience suited to Pacific markets

Experience & Qualifications

• Experience in insurance operations, underwriting, risk, or portfolio management
• Leadership experience in a small or mid-sized insurance environment preferred
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in business, finance, insurance, or a related field
• Professional insurance qualifications or postgraduate study highly regarded

Why This Role?

• Genuine leadership opportunity with full country accountability
• Ability to shape underwriting discipline and portfolio sustainability
• Strong Group and Board support
• Unique lifestyle and international experience in a stable Pacific market