At a Glance
- Tasks: Build relationships and create opportunities with broker partners in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join Markel, a supportive company that invests in your growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, quarterly bonuses, and excellent health benefits.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working and a culture that values diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Kickstart your business development career with mentorship from experienced professionals.
- Qualifications: Ideal for brokers or underwriters eager to transition into business development.
The predicted salary is between 41850 - 51150 £ per year.
National / Hybrid | Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham or London Areas Preferred
Salary + Quarterly Bonus + Excellent Benefits
Looking to move from Underwriting or Broking into Business Development? This could be the career opportunity you've been waiting for!
At Markel, we're looking for an ambitious insurance professional to join our Networks team as a Business Development Manager. This role is designed for someone who enjoys building relationships, spotting opportunities and influencing outcomes, but hasn't yet had the chance to step into a dedicated distribution or business development career.
Whether you're a broker looking to move insurer-side, or an underwriter with strong broker relationships and trading skills, this is a genuine opportunity to learn, develop and build a long-term career in distribution. In fact, the previous incumbent was promoted into a Regional Business Development Manager role after just 12 months.
The Opportunity:
- You'll join our specialist Networks team, supporting strategic partnerships across Bravo Networks and Hedron Network, helping to grow Markel's presence and strengthen relationships with broker partners nationwide.
- Unlike a traditional BDM role, this position combines:
- Relationship building
- Broker profiling and discovery
- Account development
- Opportunity generation
- Telephone and virtual engagement
- Face-to-face broker meetings
You'll be responsible for engaging with a portfolio of network brokers, understanding their businesses, identifying growth opportunities and helping them access the right Markel solutions. This is very much a consultative role. Success comes from building trust, understanding broker needs and creating opportunities over time.
What You'll Be Doing:
- Develop relationships with broker partners across Bravo and Hedron Networks
- Profile broker businesses to understand their markets, placement strategies and growth plans
- Create and develop new business opportunities
- Build and manage a strong sales pipeline
- Promote Markel's commercial insurance products and appetite
- Work closely with underwriting teams to convert opportunities into business wins
- Arrange and attend broker meetings, both virtually and face-to-face
- Maintain high-quality CRM and pipeline management
- Contribute to the continued growth of Markel's network distribution strategy
You'll be given the autonomy to build relationships your way, whilst receiving support, coaching and mentoring from an experienced team of distribution professionals.
Who We're Looking For:
We're much more interested in attitude, relationship-building ability and potential than years of BDM experience. You might currently be:
- A Broker
- Account Executive
- Commercial Broker
- Development Executive
- Relationship Manager
- Client-facing insurance professional and looking to move insurer-side into a business development career.
- An Underwriter
- Trading Underwriter
- New Business Underwriter
- Development Underwriter who enjoys broker engagement and wants to move out of a purely technical role into something more commercial and relationship-focused.
We'd love to hear from you if you are:
- Naturally curious and commercially minded
- Confident building new relationships
- Resilient and persistent
- Organised and proactive
- Comfortable engaging with people over the phone, online and in person
- Motivated by growth and opportunity creation
Commercial insurance experience is preferred, but we’ll also consider candidates from Personal Lines, High Net Worth or specialist classes who can demonstrate strong broker engagement and trading skills.
Why Join Markel?
At Markel, you'll be joining a business that genuinely invests in its people. You'll work alongside experienced Account Directors and Business Development Managers who are passionate about coaching and developing future talent.
What Makes This Opportunity Different?
- Genuine route into a Distribution career
- Previous incumbent promoted within 12 months
- Exposure to senior broker relationships
- Opportunity to learn from experienced BDMs and Account Directors
- Mix of relationship management, sales and development activity
- National strategic partnerships with Bravo and Hedron
- Flexible hybrid working
- Collaborative and supportive culture
Reward & Benefits:
- Salary + Quarterly bonus scheme & great benefits package
- Private medical cover
- Dental cover
- Life assurance
- Income protection
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Holiday buy and sell scheme
- Flexible hybrid working
- Ongoing learning and career development opportunities
Ready for Your Next Step?
If you're a broker or underwriter who enjoys building relationships and wants to develop a successful career in business development, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and start your journey with Markel.
Markel celebrates the value of a diverse workforce that brings experience and expertise from a wide variety of backgrounds and life circumstances. Whatever your background, if you feel you meet the requirements of this role then we want to hear from you. We are also happy to consider candidates who are looking for flexible working patterns.
We are an equal-opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with all reasonable accommodations to be able to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions if successful. Please contact us via email at rec@markel.com or call us at 0161 507 5827 to request any accommodations that may be needed. This includes any alternative formats of any documents or information on how to apply offline.
Business Development Manager - Networks in Manchester employer: Markel Corporation
Markel Corporation is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With a competitive salary, annual bonuses, and comprehensive benefits, employees are supported in their professional journey while working in a collaborative environment that values innovation and teamwork.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager - Networks in Manchester
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
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Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
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Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Markel Corporation. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager - Networks in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Markel Corporation.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Markel Corporation's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Markel Corporation
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Markel Corporation.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Markel Corporation will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Markel Corporation employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
