At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead M&S's insurance strategy and manage key insurance programmes.
- Company: Join M&S, a forward-thinking retail giant with a strong sense of purpose.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training from day one.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to making a positive impact.
- Why this job: Shape the future of insurance in a dynamic, inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Extensive corporate insurance experience and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
At M&S, our ambition is bold - to operate with resilience, pace and confidence in a world where risk is constantly evolving. As our Insurance Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in safeguarding the business, ensuring that our insurance strategy is robust, forward‑thinking and fully aligned to how M&S grows and innovates.
This is a unique opportunity to own and shape the direction of M&S’s insurable risk portfolio, working across a complex, diverse organisation where no two challenges are the same. If you thrive on responsibility, bring deep technical insurance knowledge, and enjoy partnering with senior stakeholders, we’d love to hear from you.
To stay close to customers, our support teams are in the office three days a week as we believe that skills are developed through collaboration, and that spending time together makes us more creative and connected.
What you’ll do
- Lead M&S’s insurance strategy and programme management, covering key lines such as property damage & business interruption, liability, cyber, D&O and motor, including full ownership of annual renewals.
- Manage broker and insurer relationships, ensuring strong performance, competitive programme outcomes, and effective market engagement.
- Oversee end‑to‑end claims management and governance, using data and trends to drive improved outcomes and support loss‑prevention activity.
- Own budgeting, forecasting and premium negotiation, identifying efficiencies and cost‑saving opportunities across the insurance portfolio.
- Collaborate cross‑functionally and manage outsourced partners, ensuring insurance requirements are embedded in key decisions and that TPAs, loss adjusters and other providers deliver high‑quality, cost‑efficient service.
Who you are
- Extensive experience in corporate insurance management, with strong technical expertise across key commercial lines (PD/BI, liability, cyber, D&O and motor).
- Proven ability to lead insurance renewals and programme design, negotiating effectively and engaging confidently with insurers, brokers and outsourced partners at a senior level.
- Strong analytical capability, able to interpret complex data, identify trends and influence decision‑makers with clear, insight‑driven recommendations.
- ACII (or equivalent professional qualification) and/or experience managing multinational insurance programmes.
- Understanding of captive structures or alternative risk‑financing models, with the ability to apply this knowledge to improve programme efficiency.
What’s in it for you?
Working at M&S means being part of something bigger - helping to deliver quality, value and service to millions of customers every day. We’re inclusive, fast-moving and always evolving, with a strong sense of purpose and a focus on doing the right thing.
Here are just a few of the benefits that make working here even more rewarding:
- 20% colleague discount on all M&S products and many third-party brands for you and someone in your household, available once you’ve completed your probation.
- Competitive holiday allowance with the option to buy more.
- Discretionary bonus schemes linked to your performance and ours.
- Strong pension and life assurance to help plan for the future.
- Tailored induction and training to support your development from day one.
- Exclusive perks and savings through our M&S Choices portal.
- Market-leading family policies, including parental, adoption and neonatal leave.
- 24/7 wellbeing support, including virtual GP access and mental health services.
- One paid volunteer day a year to support a cause that matters to you.
Everyone’s welcome. We are ambitious about the future of retail. We’re disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We’re transforming how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make change happen. We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together. If you feel you'd benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.
Insurance Manager employer: Marks & Spencer
At M&S, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where collaboration and innovation thrive. As an Insurance Manager, you'll benefit from a competitive salary, generous colleague discounts, and a strong focus on personal development through tailored training and support. Our inclusive culture fosters growth and well-being, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute to our mission of delivering quality and service to millions of customers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Insurance Manager
✨Dive Into Industry Networking Events
Get your foot in the door by attending insurance industry events and conferences. Not only will you learn about the latest trends, but you'll also meet potential employers and industry peers. Check out local chapters of professional bodies like the Chartered Insurance Institute for valuable meetups.
✨Use LinkedIn to Your Advantage
Don’t underestimate the power of LinkedIn in the insurance world. Engage with industry content, join relevant groups, and connect with professionals at companies you admire (like Marks & Spencer). A thoughtful message explaining your interest can really make a difference!
✨Look Out for Graduate Schemes
Many firms in insurance have structured graduate programmes. Keep an eye on application windows and utilise your university's career services for insider tips. These schemes are designed to develop talent and often lead to permanent roles after your initial training.
✨Leverage Your Current Connections
Got friends or family in the industry? Now’s the time to reach out! Personal referrals can give you a head start, so let them know you're on the lookout for full-time opportunities at places like Marks & Spencer. Don’t shy away from asking for a coffee chat; you never know what doors it might open!
We think you need these skills to ace Insurance Manager
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 Marks & Spencer.
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don't just send a generic CV! Focus on tailoring it specifically for the insurance role at Marks & Spencer. 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 Marks & Spencer
✨Know Your Numbers: Insurance Fundamentals
Brush up on your understanding of key insurance concepts, like underwriting principles and risk assessment. Expect the interviewer at Marks & Spencer 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 Marks & Spencer, 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 Marks & Spencer'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.