Trainee Business Development Manager – Graduate in London

Trainee Business Development Manager – Graduate in London

London Trainee 25000 - 32000 € / year (est.) No home office possible
Pen Underwriting

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our dynamic team to develop your skills in business development and insurance.
  • Company: Be part of Pen, a forward-thinking underwriting and distribution business.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, health plans, and exciting career growth opportunities.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to your success.
  • Why this job: Kickstart your career with hands-on training and real impact in the insurance industry.
  • Qualifications: A strong commercial mindset and eagerness to learn are essential.

The predicted salary is between 25000 - 32000 € per year.

At Pen, we don’t just underwrite risk, we unlock possibility. We’re a dynamic underwriting and distribution business backed by the strength of Gallagher and powered by a belief that every challenge has a solution. With entrepreneurial energy, niche expertise, and a bold growth mindset, we’re transforming what it means to be an MGA in today’s insurance landscape. Whether you’re shaping new products, solving complex problems, or collaborating across teams, your ideas and initiative will help deliver smarter solutions for our clients—and move the industry forward.

This graduate role is designed to develop high-potential talent into Trainee Business Development Managers (BDMs) within 24 months. The successful candidate will be embedded within the Broker Solutions team, acting as an incubator, while receiving structured exposure to the BDM function throughout the programme. This is a performance-driven, sales-focused development pathway with clear accountability and progression.

Also open to receiving applications from Bristol, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow, Crawley, Liphook and Leatherhead.

How you'll make an impact:

  • Introduction to insurance products, distribution model, and broker landscape
  • Training on sales fundamentals, pipeline management, and internal systems
  • Deliver cross-sell and new business initiatives
  • Support Business Development Managers with broker relationships
  • Exposure to BDM activity (shadowing calls and meetings)
  • Ownership of a small broker portfolio (towards end of period)
  • Active management of pipeline and revenue opportunities
  • Eventual participation in broker strategy and growth planning
  • Maintain accurate CRM and pipeline reporting

About You:

  • Strong commercial mindset and curiosity
  • High energy and resilience in a sales environment
  • Confident communicator, particularly over the phone
  • Competitive and target-driven
  • Structured and organised approach to workload
  • willingness to learn quickly and take ownership early
  • Right to work in the UK

Compensation and benefits:

On top of a competitive salary, great teams and exciting career opportunities, we also offer a wide range of benefits. Below are the minimum core benefits you’ll get, depending on your job level these benefits may improve:

  • Minimum of 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays, and the option to ‘buy’ extra days
  • Defined contribution pension scheme, which Gallagher will also contribute to
  • Life insurance, which will pay 4x your basic annual salary, which you can top-up to 10x
  • Income protection, we’ll cover up to 50% of your annual income, with options to top up
  • Health cash plan or Private medical insurance
  • Other benefits include:
    • Three fully paid volunteering days per year
    • Employee Stock Purchase plan, offering company shares at a discount
    • Share incentive plan, HMRC approved, tax effective, stock purchase plan
    • Critical illness cover
    • Discounted gym membership, with over 3,000 gyms nationally
    • Season ticket loan
    • Access to a discounted voucher portal to save money on your weekly shop or next big purchase
    • Emergency back-up family care
    • And many more…

We value inclusion and diversity:

Inclusion and diversity (I&D) is a core part of our business, and it’s embedded into the fabric of our organisation. For more than 95 years, Gallagher has led with a commitment to sustainability and to support the communities where we live and work. Gallagher embraces our employees’ diverse identities, experiences and talents, allowing us to better serve our clients and communities. We see inclusion as a conscious commitment and diversity as a vital strength.

Gallagher is Disability Confident Committed. We have pledged to make sure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible, in addition to supporting our existing employees with any long-term health conditions or disabilities.

We understand that applicants may have disabilities, if you do, you may find some parts of the recruitment process more challenging than others. Don’t worry, we’re here to help, however, we can only do this if you let us know. Should you require reasonable adjustments to your application, please get in touch with TAGlobalSupport@ajg.com. If you’d prefer to speak on the phone, please request a call back, leaving details, so we get in touch.

Our employing entity, Arthur J. Gallagher Services (UK) Limited, is proud to be accredited as a Living Wage employer with the Living Wage Foundation. We are committed to diversity and opportunity for all and are opposed to any form of less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender or gender identity, marital status, civil partnership status, parental status, race, ethnicity, colour, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, religion/ belief, age and those with caring responsibilities.

Gallagher believes that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity and prohibits any form of discrimination by its managers, employees, vendors or customers based on race, color, religion, creed, gender (including pregnancy status), sexual orientation, gender identity (which includes transgender and other gender non-conforming individuals), gender expression, hair expression, marital status, parental status, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran or military status, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected (herein referred to as “protected characteristics”) by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Equal employment opportunity will be extended in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, demotion, compensation, benefits, layoff, and termination. In addition, Gallagher will make reasonable accommodations to known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified person with a disability, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.

Trainee Business Development Manager – Graduate in London employer: Pen Underwriting

At Pen, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant work culture where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a commitment to employee growth, our Trainee Business Development Manager programme offers structured training, mentorship, and the opportunity to make a real impact in the insurance industry. Located in key cities across the UK, we provide competitive benefits, including generous holiday allowances, health plans, and a focus on diversity and inclusion, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to succeed.

Pen Underwriting

Contact Detail:

Pen Underwriting Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Trainee Business Development Manager – Graduate in London

Tip Number 1

Get to know the company inside out! Research Pen's values, products, and recent news. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.

Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building connections can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral—always a bonus!

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to talk about your experiences and how they relate to the role. Highlight your commercial mindset and resilience, as these are key traits for a Trainee Business Development Manager.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and serious about joining the team at Pen.

We think you need these skills to ace Trainee Business Development Manager – Graduate in London

Commercial Mindset
Sales Fundamentals
Pipeline Management
Broker Relationship Management
CRM Reporting
Communication Skills
Organisational Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion:Let us see your enthusiasm for the role! In your application, highlight why you're excited about becoming a Trainee Business Development Manager and how you align with our values at Pen. A genuine passion can really make you stand out.

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the job description. Focus on relevant experiences and skills that match what we're looking for in a candidate. This shows us that you've done your homework and are serious about the opportunity.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story! Use it to explain how your background and aspirations fit with our mission at Pen. Keep it concise but impactful—this is your moment to shine!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and tech-savvy—qualities we value!

How to prepare for a job interview at Pen Underwriting

Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into understanding Pen's business model and the insurance landscape. Familiarise yourself with their products and how they differentiate themselves in the market. This will not only show your enthusiasm but also help you answer questions more confidently.

Show Off Your Sales Skills

Since this role is sales-focused, be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in sales or customer service. Think of specific examples where you demonstrated a strong commercial mindset or overcame challenges. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.

Ask Smart Questions

Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions that reflect your interest in the role and the company. Ask about the team dynamics, growth opportunities, or how success is measured for a Trainee Business Development Manager. This shows you're serious about your future there.

Be Yourself and Stay Positive

Pen values creativity and innovation, so let your personality shine through during the interview. Be genuine in your responses and maintain a positive attitude, even when discussing challenges. Remember, they’re looking for someone who can bring energy and resilience to the team!