At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow a digital trading team, driving performance and launching new products.
- Company: Markel, a fast-growing insurance company with a focus on digital innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent bonuses, private medical insurance, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Join a diverse team and enjoy a genuine growth journey in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of digital trading and make a real impact in a high-visibility role.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial insurance and digital trading, with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Birmingham (Hybrid – 3 days in office)
Competitive salary + Excellent bonus & benefits package
Build Something Big. Lead Digital Growth. Own the Outcome.
Markel’s UK Broker channel is our largest and fastest-growing business and digital is central to our strategy through to 2030. We’re investing heavily in digital capability, new product development, and actuarial-led trading.
Now, we’re looking for a Digital Trading Manager to take a high-performing function and scale it into something truly market-leading. This is not a “keep things ticking” leadership role. This is your opportunity to lead, shape, and grow a digital business from £10m to £100m+.
The Opportunity:
- Reporting to the Head of Trading, you’ll lead our digital new business team, overseeing all digital and actuarial-led products and their trading performance.
- You’ll sit at the heart of commercial strategy, digital trading, and team leadership with real ownership of results and the autonomy to evolve how the function operates.
You’ll inherit:
- A stable, engaged team of 9 in Birmingham
- A growing product suite (set to expand significantly over the next 12–18 months)
- Strong foundations and the mandate to scale
What You’ll Be Doing:
- You’ll lead from the front balancing commercial delivery, operational excellence, and strategic growth.
- Own digital new business targets (~£7m and growing) through data-led insights.
- Monitor sales funnel and product performance, identify and act on opportunities.
- Lead, coach, and inspire a team of digital underwriters.
- Maintain and build on a strong, positive team culture.
- Shape future team structure as product complexity grows.
- Improve underwriting workflows, processes, and efficiency (Acturis-led environment).
- Enhance broker experience through service excellence and simplification.
- Ensure strong governance and consistently high standards.
- Play a key role in launching new digital products (multiple planned).
- Influence product development through market insight and trading performance.
- Collaborate across underwriting, distribution, and leadership to drive strategy.
What We’re Looking For:
- We’re looking for a commercial, data-driven insurance leader who thrives in fast-paced digital environments.
- Essential Experience:
- Commercial insurance background (broker or composite insurer).
- Digital trading / fast-paced underwriting or operations experience.
- Proven track record delivering growth and leading teams.
- Strong data-driven decision-making and performance management capability.
- Experience with digital platforms such as Acturis.
- What Will Set You Apart:
- Experience scaling digital functions or launching products.
- Exposure to actuarial-led or digitally distributed products.
- A hands-on, visible leadership style - energetic, engaging and impactful.
- A genuine growth journey – be part of building a £100m digital business line.
- Real ownership – influence strategy, not just manage a team.
- Strong foundations – a stable team and improving culture already in place.
- Serious investment in digital capability, products, and trading innovation.
- Competitive salary (flexible based on experience).
- Excellent annual bonus.
- Up to 16% employer pension contribution.
- Private medical & dental insurance.
- 25 days holiday + buy/sell options.
- Electric car scheme, life assurance & more.
Why Join Markel?
Reward & Benefits:
Make Your Mark:
This is a rare opportunity to step into a high-impact, high-visibility leadership role where you’ll shape both strategy and execution. If you’re ready to lead from the front, drive growth, and build something meaningful we’d love to hear from you.
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 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.
Digital Trading Manager in Birmingham employer: Markel
Markel is an exceptional employer that offers a dynamic and supportive work environment in Birmingham, where you can lead the digital transformation of a rapidly growing business. With a strong focus on employee development, competitive benefits including a generous pension contribution and private medical insurance, and a culture that values diversity and innovation, you'll have the opportunity to make a significant impact while enjoying a fulfilling career. Join us to be part of a genuine growth journey and help shape the future of our digital trading strategy.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Digital Trading Manager in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its digital strategy. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around scaling digital functions and driving growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership style! During interviews, share examples of how you've inspired teams and driven performance. Highlight your hands-on approach and how it led to successful outcomes.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Digital Trading Manager in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Digital Trading Manager role. Highlight your commercial insurance background and any digital trading experience to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven growth and led teams in fast-paced environments, and don’t forget to show your enthusiasm for digital innovation!
Showcase Your Data Skills:Since we're looking for someone who thrives on data-driven decision-making, make sure to include any relevant metrics or achievements in your application. We love seeing how you've used data to influence performance and strategy!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and helps us get to know you better. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Markel
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Digital Trading Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your data-driven decision-making skills. Brush up on key metrics related to digital trading and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive growth in previous roles.
✨Showcase Leadership Style
This role requires a hands-on, visible leadership style. Prepare examples of how you've led teams in fast-paced environments, focusing on how you inspire and coach others to achieve their best performance.
✨Understand the Market
Familiarise yourself with the current trends in digital trading and insurance. Be prepared to discuss how you would influence product development based on market insights and trading performance.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think about challenges you've faced in digital trading or underwriting and how you overcame them, particularly in relation to optimising workflows and enhancing broker experiences.
