At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the commercial strategy and performance of our Telematics portfolio.
- Company: Fast-growing digital insurer with ambitious UK market plans.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, £6k car allowance, flexible working, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Inclusive recruitment process with support for all applicants.
- Why this job: Shape the future of Telematics and drive sustainable growth in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Strong commercial judgement and experience influencing P&L performance.
The predicted salary is between 30332 - 37072 £ per year.
Hybrid, with a minimum of one day per week at one of our main sites in Bexhill, Leicester or London.
We're a fast-growing digital insurer serving more than four million customers, with ambitious plans for the UK market and significant investment across our insurance and telematics businesses, underpinned by market-leading pricing and data capability.
As Hastings continues to grow, Telematics has evolved from a single product into a strategic pillar of our business. We're looking for a commercially minded leader to shape where and how we compete, accelerating sustainable growth, improving profitability and delivering great customer outcomes.
Sitting at the heart of the business, you'll bring together commercial strategy, trading, market intelligence and portfolio performance. Working across Retail, Underwriting, Pricing, Product and Digital, you'll turn insight into action, identify the opportunities that matter most and help build a differentiated Telematics proposition for the future.
Role overview
Based within our Telematics business, you'll take overall responsibility for the commercial direction and long-term performance of the portfolio. You'll use your understanding of the market, customers and portfolio performance to set priorities, make clear commercial choices and bring teams together behind the opportunities that will deliver sustainable growth, stronger profitability and better customer outcomes.
You'll lead the long-term commercial performance of our Telematics portfolio, using your understanding of the market and the drivers behind performance to set direction and make confident decisions. This is a visible leadership role with the opportunity to bring teams together, turn opportunities into action and deliver growth initiatives that make a lasting difference to the business.
Leading commercial performance: You will take ownership of the Telematics portfolio's overall performance, setting clear priorities around growth, profitability and customer value and bringing teams together to deliver them.
Market and competitor insight
- Bring the market into our decisions: Building a strong understanding of market cycles and use it to guide where and how we pursue growth.
- Stay ahead of change: Keeping close to competitor activity, customer behaviour and emerging trends, turning what you see into clear recommendations for the business.
Portfolio strategy and pricing direction
- Own the portfolio view: Maintaining a clear, forward-looking view of portfolio performance, including loss ratio, profitability and the overall base-rate position.
- Shape pricing direction: Leading recommendations on portfolio trading strategy and base-rate movements, working closely with Pricing and Underwriting to turn decisions into action.
Skills and experience we're looking for:
- Strong commercial judgement, with experience owning or influencing P&L performance.
- A confident, collaborative leadership style, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and bring different teams behind a shared direction.
- The ability to turn complex data and market insight into clear decisions and practical action.
- A disciplined approach to performance management, with strong attention to detail and a clear focus on accountability.
- Experience creating effective reporting and performance frameworks that support timely, well-informed decisions.
- The ability to bring clarity, focus and a consistent operating rhythm to a complex, fast-moving environment.
The journey with us:
- Initial conversation with our recruiter.
- Introductory discussion with the hiring leader.
- Case study interview with the hiring leader.
- Final conversation with a senior leader.
As a Disability Confident employer, we're committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are fully inclusive - what this means to you is if you're applying for a job with us, you'll have fair access to support and adjustments throughout your recruitment journey. We also welcome applications through the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS).
Benefits:
- In addition to a competitive salary and a £6k car allowance, you will also receive flexible working - we champion a flexible hybrid working approach.
- Competitive bonus scheme - all colleagues are eligible for our annual 4Cs performance bonus.
- Physical wellbeing - as a Band 5 colleague, Hastings pay for you to receive private medical Insurance (also known as PMI).
- Financial wellbeing - as well as providing you with 4x your salary with our life assurance cover, income protection at no extra cost.
Head of Commercial & Portfolio Management in Bexhill-on-Sea employer: hastingsdirect
Hastings Direct is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, particularly for the Senior Microservices Engineer role. With hybrid working options from Bexhill or Leicester, employees benefit from a flexible environment that encourages professional growth through mentorship and active participation in design discussions. The company prioritises engineering excellence and offers opportunities to lead projects, making it a rewarding place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial & Portfolio Management in Bexhill-on-Sea
✨Dive Into Industry Networking Events
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial & Portfolio Management in Bexhill-on-Sea
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In insurance, we love a candidate who can crunch numbers and analyse data effectively. When crafting your CV, make sure to showcase any relevant coursework or experiences that highlight your analytical abilities, especially if you’ve tackled risk assessment or financial modelling.
Showcase Industry Knowledge:Don’t be shy about your knowledge of the insurance sector! We want to see that you've done your homework on current trends, regulations, and challenges in the industry. Mention any relevant projects or studies you’ve completed that demonstrate your understanding of the field in your cover letter.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you’re passionate about insurance. Share any personal experiences or what drew you into this profession. We’re looking for enthusiasm and a clear motivation for why you want to be part of our team at hastingsdirect.
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don't just send a generic CV! Focus on tailoring it specifically for the insurance role at hastingsdirect. Highlight relevant skills such as risk management, customer service experience, or any certifications you've earned in the industry to make your application stand out.
How to prepare for a job interview at hastingsdirect
✨Know Your Numbers: Insurance Fundamentals
Brush up on your understanding of key insurance concepts, like underwriting principles and risk assessment. Expect the interviewer at hastingsdirect to throw some technical questions your way, so be ready to demonstrate your grasp of these essentials.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Side
In the insurance world, it's all about data. Prepare to discuss any analytical tools or methodologies you've used in past experiences. If you have a portfolio of projects where you've tackled complex data, bring that along to impress the team!
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
As a full-timer at hastingsdirect, they'll want to know how you handle real-life scenarios, not just theory. Think about challenges you've faced in teamwork or customer service, and how those experiences can relate to a career in insurance.
✨Know the Company Culture Inside Out
Understanding hastingsdirect's values and workplace culture is essential. Don’t just memorise their mission statement; think about how your personal values align with theirs. This will show your genuine interest in being part of their team long-term.
