At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert customer service and sales support for small business insurance products.
- Company: Join a leading company committed to putting customers first and embracing new opportunities.
- Benefits: Enjoy a generous benefits package, including pension contributions and employee discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping small businesses with their insurance needs.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer service and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with at least 50% time spent on-site.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
DLG is evolving. Across every part of our business, teams are embracing new opportunities and putting customers at the heart of everything they do. Whether you’re already part of DLG or thinking about joining us, you’ll have the chance not only to be recognised for your skills, but also to build on them and be empowered to do your very best.
As a Commercial SME Consultant, you will respond positively to customer interactions across our small business insurance products, providing expert Sales and Customer Service support. You’ll underwrite, sell and service policies while operating confidently within a Delegated Underwriting Authority (DUA), ensuring every customer receives a personalised and compliant experience.
Your key responsibilities:
- Operate with a strong level of risk awareness, enabling you to work confidently in a non-scripted environment and deliver tailored support to customers.
- Use extended DUA permissions and product expertise to manage end-to-end customer interactions — including new business, mid-term adjustments, renewals and cancellations — negotiating with our Underwriting team where required.
- Work effectively within a continuously changing environment, using problem-solving skills to identify process improvements and contribute to business growth.
- Proactively manage and prioritise your workload, ensuring call-backs and outstanding tasks are completed promptly to deliver great customer satisfaction.
- Achieve and exceed KPI targets across quality, productivity, sales and customer experience.
- Reinforce DLG’s culture and values through positive behaviours and professional conduct, including attendance, timekeeping, and presentation.
- Stay compliant with FCA rules and all legal, regulatory and risk-management frameworks, including IPL and IDD requirements.
- Take ownership of customer complaints, handling them professionally and compassionately to achieve fair and successful outcomes.
- Deliver excellent Customer Experience using Connect principles, ensuring all processes are followed correctly, transparently and in line with customer assurance standards.
- Keep up to date with all relevant business communications — including The Voice, Business Buzz, Underwriting Guides and E-forums — to support successful delivery of your role.
What you’ll need:
Essential Skills & Experience:
- Proven experience in a contact centre or customer-facing environment, confidently handling high call volumes while maintaining exceptional service standards.
- Strong customer service and sales capability, with a track record of converting opportunities, retaining customers, and driving positive commercial outcomes.
- Experience working to structured KPIs, balancing quality, productivity, compliance and customer satisfaction targets.
- Excellent communication skills — able to simplify complex information, adapt your style to suit different customers and build rapport quickly.
- Ability to manage a busy and varied workload, using strong organisational skills to prioritise effectively, complete call-backs and manage interactions through to resolution.
- Confidence operating in a non-scripted environment, using initiative and judgement to tailor conversations and deliver the right customer outcomes.
- Strong attention to detail, ensuring accuracy when capturing information, processing changes, and handling MTAs, renewals and cancellations.
Desirable:
- Commercial insurance experience, ideally within SME or related lines.
Ways of Working:
Our hybrid model offers the best of both worlds. Time in the office depends on your role and team, but colleagues spend at least 50% of their month working on-site.
Benefits:
We recognise we wouldn’t be where we are today without our colleagues. That’s why we offer a benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and suit your lifestyle:
- 9% employer pension contribution
- 50% off home, motor and pet insurance, plus free Green Flag breakdown cover
- Optional Health and Dental insurance
- EV car scheme
- Generous holiday allowance
- Buy-as-you-earn share scheme
- Employee discounts and cashback
- And much more
We want everyone to get the most out of their time at DLG. Our benefits go beyond financial rewards to offer real choice, flexibility and balance — helping you focus on the things that matter most.
Be yourself:
Direct Line Group is an equal-opportunity employer, and we believe diversity in background and thinking is one of our greatest strengths. We’re proud to be one of the UK’s Top 50 Inclusive Employers and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone can be themselves and thrive. We know you are more than just a CV. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, our team will be happy to support you.
SME Customer Service Representative in Leeds employer: Direct Line Group Careers
Contact Detail:
Direct Line Group Careers Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land SME Customer Service Representative in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research DLG's values, culture, and recent news. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since you'll be handling customer interactions, role-play with a friend or use online resources to refine your ability to simplify complex information and build rapport quickly.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to showcase your problem-solving skills! Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed customer complaints or improved processes. This will demonstrate your ability to thrive in a dynamic environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're proactive and keen on joining DLG. Don’t forget to follow up after applying to express your enthusiasm!
We think you need these skills to ace SME Customer Service Representative in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in customer service and sales. We want to see how your skills align with the role of a Commercial SME Consultant, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is key for this role, use your application to demonstrate how you can simplify complex information and build rapport. We love seeing examples of how you've successfully interacted with customers in the past.
Highlight Your Problem-Solving Abilities: In your written application, share specific instances where you've tackled challenges or improved processes. We’re looking for candidates who can think on their feet and adapt to changing environments, so let us know how you’ve done this before!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status directly with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Direct Line Group Careers
✨Know Your Products Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the small business insurance products that DLG offers. Understanding the specifics of these products will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your expertise in customer service and sales.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you’ve successfully handled customer interactions, especially in high-pressure situations. Highlight how you’ve managed complaints or turned a negative experience into a positive one, as this aligns perfectly with the role’s focus on delivering excellent customer experience.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Think of instances where you identified process improvements or resolved complex issues. Be ready to discuss how you approached these challenges and what the outcomes were. This will show your potential employer that you can thrive in a continuously changing environment.
✨Practice Non-Scripted Conversations
Since the role requires operating in a non-scripted environment, practice having conversations without a set script. Role-play with a friend or family member to build your confidence in tailoring your responses based on the customer's needs, which is crucial for providing personalised support.