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- Tasks: Lead the Sales and Distribution team, driving financial targets and building key broker relationships.
- Company: Join AXA Commercial, an award-winning insurer dedicated to supporting businesses of all sizes.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonuses, private health cover, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a supportive culture while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in the Manchester market and strong commercial broker knowledge are essential.
- Other info: This role requires eligibility to work in the UK and involves regular background checks.
The predicted salary is between 64000 - 96000 £ per year.
Do you want a career where you can make a real difference? Join AXA Commercial and be part of an award-winning team! As the 2024 Insurance Award's Commercial Lines Insurer of the Year, we are proud to be industry recognised for our ongoing commitment to supporting our broker partners and customers.
We’re currently looking to bring on board an experienced Sales and Distribution Manager for our Manchester branch. The role provides a fantastic opportunity for you to build key relationships and shape the narrative that will support our branch in maximising our service, profit and growth.
Reporting to the Branch Manager, you’ll take an active role as part of the branch leadership team and be responsible for leading a team of Business Development Managers towards the successful delivery of our financial plan.
At AXA we work smart, empowering our people to balance their time between home and the office in a way that works best for them, their team and our customers. You’ll work at least 60% of your week away from home, either in attendance at our Manchester office, visiting our broker panel or attending industry events.
What you’ll be doing:
- Lead the Sales and Distribution function across the branch – you’ll be the face of AXA in the North-West market and the ‘go to’ for our key broker partners.
- Responsible for the delivery of key financial targets and sales competencies, including new business, retention, pipeline, rate and gross written premium (GWP).
- Lead a team of Business Development Managers, supporting their broker and client engagement plans, the robust pipelining of new business, and maximise income and profit.
- Active role as part of the Manchester leadership team working closely with the Branch Manager, Underwriting Manager and Operations Manager.
- Ensure our business plans drive long term partnerships and profitable growth.
- Planning, forecasting, and managing of branch’s sales budgets.
- Performance and personal development of Business Development Managers.
- Proactively seek broker feedback on AXA performance and delivery.
Due to the number of applications we expect to receive for this role, we reserve the right to close this advert earlier than the listed closing date to ensure we’re able to effectively manage interest. Therefore, if you’re interested in joining us at AXA, please don’t hesitate to apply.
What you’ll bring:
- Established relationships in the Manchester (North-West) market – essential.
- Ability to develop senior reciprocal relationships with our brokers – essential.
- Strong understanding of Commercial Broker markets – essential.
- Understanding profitability of business within the intermediary channel.
- Good understanding of underwriting and risk management principles – essential.
- Capable of working across functions and leading a team.
- Ability to analyse and interpret data and adjust plans accordingly.
- Sound knowledge of legislative and regulatory requirements for insurance.
As a precondition of employment for this role, you must be eligible and authorised to work in the United Kingdom. This position has been defined as an Insurance Distribution Directive (IDD) role under the IDD regime which means that in addition to pre-employment screening checks, the successful candidate will be subject to background screening every 4 years with an annual declaration in interim years.
What we offer:
- Competitive annual salary from £80,000 dependent on experience.
- Annual company & performance-based bonus.
- Contributory pension scheme (up to 12% employer contributions).
- Private health cover.
- Life Assurance (up to 10 x annual salary).
- Perk car cash allowance £5,200.
- 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays.
- Opportunity to buy up to 5 extra days leave or sell up to 5 days leave.
Who we are:
AXA Commercial protects businesses, from multinationals to micro start-ups, giving them the confidence to thrive. We’re currently making our biggest ever investment to develop the expertise and skills we need to be the best. We’re a vibrant community where everyone is supported to learn, develop, and take ownership of their work.
Sales and Distribution Manager - Commercial Lines employer: AXA Group
Contact Detail:
AXA Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales and Distribution Manager - Commercial Lines
✨Tip Number 1
Network actively within the Manchester insurance community. Attend local industry events and engage with brokers to build relationships that could give you an edge in your application.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with AXA's recent initiatives and successes in the commercial lines sector. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your genuine interest in the company during any interviews or discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in leading teams and achieving financial targets. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven sales growth and developed successful strategies in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the key challenges facing the commercial insurance market in the North-West. Being able to articulate these challenges and propose solutions will set you apart as a knowledgeable candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Sales and Distribution Manager - Commercial Lines
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in sales and distribution management, particularly within the insurance sector. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate your fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the Manchester market and your established relationships with brokers. Explain how your skills align with AXA's goals and how you can contribute to their success.
Highlight Leadership Experience: Since the role involves leading a team, emphasise any previous leadership roles you've held. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed teams and achieved financial targets in past positions.
Showcase Analytical Skills: Demonstrate your ability to analyse data and adjust strategies accordingly. Include specific examples of how you've used data to drive business decisions and improve performance in previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at AXA Group
✨Research AXA and the Role
Before your interview, make sure to thoroughly research AXA and understand their position in the market. Familiarise yourself with their values, recent achievements, and the specifics of the Sales and Distribution Manager role. This will help you tailor your answers and demonstrate your genuine interest in the company.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Expect to face behavioural questions that assess your leadership skills and ability to manage a team. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully led a team, achieved financial targets, or built strong relationships with brokers. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Showcase Your Industry Knowledge
Given the importance of understanding the Commercial Broker markets, be ready to discuss current trends, challenges, and opportunities within the industry. Highlight your established relationships in the Manchester market and how they can benefit AXA's growth and service delivery.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, take the opportunity to ask insightful questions about the branch's goals, team dynamics, and how success is measured in the role. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values.
