At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team managing vehicle damage processes and customer relationships.
- Company: Join a stable and growing business with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £40,000, direct exposure to leadership, and opportunities for influence.
- Other info: Great career growth potential and a chance to develop your leadership skills.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by improving processes and driving operational excellence.
- Qualifications: Management experience in fleet, insurance, or automotive sectors required.
Location: Poole
Salary: up to £40,000 per year
Role: Permanent – Full time
Are you an experienced people manager with a background in vehicle damage, claims, fleet operations or insurance? Do you thrive on balancing commercial outcomes with excellent customer service? If so, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
Our client is seeking a proactive and commercially minded Damage Manager to take ownership of their vehicle damage function and lead a high-performing team. Reporting directly to senior leadership, you will oversee the complete damage lifecycle, ensuring fair, evidence-based assessments while protecting customer relationships and maximising cost recovery.
This is a leadership role with genuine influence, where you'll have the autonomy to improve processes, drive operational performance and make a tangible impact on the wider business.
Key Responsibilities:
- Managing the full vehicle damage process from assessment through to recovery and case closure
- Leading, developing and motivating a team, ensuring consistently high standards of service and performance
- Overseeing end-of-hire damage assessments and ensuring all supporting evidence is robust, accurate and defensible
- Managing escalated, complex and disputed damage cases
- Driving uninsured loss recovery and damage claim resolution
- Coordinating repairs through external suppliers and repair networks
- Monitoring supplier performance, challenging standards where necessary and improving turnaround times
- Producing management reports covering recovery rates, damage trends and financial performance
- Identifying opportunities to improve processes, efficiencies and customer outcomes
- Maintaining compliance with company policies, procedures and quality standards
What We’re Looking For:
- Previous management experience within fleet, rental, insurance, automotive or claims environments
- Strong understanding of vehicle damage, repair processes, claims handling or cost recovery
- Experience managing supplier relationships, repair networks or bodyshop providers
- Strong commercial awareness and sound decision-making skills
- Excellent communication and negotiation abilities
- Ability to manage difficult conversations whilst maintaining positive customer relationships
- Strong analytical skills and confidence working with data and reporting
- High attention to detail and a solutions-focused mindset
- A proactive leader who takes ownership and drives continuous improvement
The Ideal Candidate Will Be:
- Commercially astute and customer-focused
- Calm, professional and confident under pressure
- A strong people leader who enjoys developing others
- Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
- Resilient, decisive and accountable
- Motivated by achieving results whilst delivering a positive customer experience
- Passionate about improving processes and driving operational excellence
What’s In It For You?
- Opportunity to lead a key operational function
- Direct exposure to senior leadership and decision making
- Stable and growing business environment
- Genuine opportunity to influence change and improve performance
- Supportive and collaborative culture
Commutable Locations: Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch, Wimborne, Blandford Forum, Ringwood, Ferndown, Wareham
If you’re an experienced Damage Manager, Claims Team Leader, Fleet Claims Manager, Vehicle Damage Controller or similar professional looking for your next challenge, we’d love to hear from you.
This role is handled by McCarthy Recruitment, an award-winning multi-sector recruiter. We believe that you matter and care about unlocking your full potential. Work with us to find your perfect role and start your journey today.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. By applying for this role, you are explicitly consenting for McCarthy Recruitment to hold and process your data in compliance with GDPR.
Damage Manager in Parkstone employer: McCarthy Recruitment
McCarthy Recruitment is an excellent employer, offering a stable and rewarding night-shift role as an HGV Class 2 Road Sweeper Driver in Leyland. With a commitment to employee growth, competitive pay of £19 per hour, and a company pension, we foster a supportive work culture that values reliability and skill development. Join us to operate a modern fleet while enjoying opportunities for overtime and being part of an equal opportunities workplace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Damage Manager in Parkstone
✨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 McCarthy Recruitment). 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 McCarthy Recruitment. 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 Damage Manager in Parkstone
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 McCarthy Recruitment.
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don't just send a generic CV! Focus on tailoring it specifically for the insurance role at McCarthy Recruitment. 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 McCarthy Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers: Insurance Fundamentals
Brush up on your understanding of key insurance concepts, like underwriting principles and risk assessment. Expect the interviewer at McCarthy Recruitment 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 McCarthy Recruitment, 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 McCarthy Recruitment'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.
