Assistant Manager, Corporate Business Development at ICEA Lion Group

Job Summary

The role of the Assistant Manager – Corporate Business Development is responsible for spearheading new business acquisitions, implementing marketing and sales plans, as well as business promotion to ensure that premium budgets are achieved. The individual is responsible for ensuring that all internal processes run as efficiently as possible in accordance with the operational manual.

Responsibilities:

Strategy and Marketing

• Participating in the implementation and execution of strategic marketing plans in support of the corporate strategy.
• Developing pricing strategies in consultation with senior management, balancing marketing objectives and customer satisfaction.
• Preparing, in liaison with the heads of the Business Development and Operations functions, concept papers, periodic progress reports and annual reports showing organizational achievements against planned targets as well as providing justification for performance variances and areas of improvement.
• Developing and implementing market segmentation plans in conjunction with Business Development departments.

Product Review and Development

• Measuring product performance and liaising with business development and operations departments to implement appropriate improvements in line with consumer needs.
• Participating in the development and implementation of a structured process of product review and development.
• Regularly liaising with the business development teams to develop products that leverage the company’s competitive edge.
• Providing insight to the product development teams by maintaining consummate market intelligence and periodically reviewing existing products to enhance their quality.
• Examining new business opportunities on an ongoing basis, in traditional and non-traditional sectors, and subsequently formulating plans for developing and launching relevant insurance products and services.

Business Development

• Generating revenue from new and existing brokers and clients, and identifying broker needs in order to help develop new business opportunities in liaison with Business Development heads.
• Maintaining regular contact through meetings and other mediums to ensure sustained growth from the broker market in respect with new and renewed business,
• Monitoring production figures on a weekly and monthly basis to ensure that production is in line with strategic plans.
• Coordinating the expansion of distribution channels with the head of retail business by engaging established and emerging intermediaries currently not in our books.

Learning and growth

• Reviewing and updating legal documents, operations & training manuals.
• Mentoring, coaching and motivating the team to achieve planned financial results.
• Overseeing training of new staff in the department on work procedures and Company policies to ensure effective client service.

Requirements

Skills & Experience Requirements

• At least five (5) to seven (7) years’ post qualification experience in a Life Assurance and Pensions Business Development function with at least two (2) years at leadership level. Must have previous experience in sales.
• Strong leadership skills to foster teamwork; helping to develop and motivate staff, resolving e conflicts as well as ability to provide direction, guidance, momentum and vision in order to achieve organizational objectives.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, including ability to develop proposals, concept papers, position papers as well as write reports and prepare relevant publications.
• High level interpersonal and cross-cultural skills, including ability to build alliances and collaborative relationships with sensitivity to diversity.
• Strong expertise in strategic management projects regarding planning and budgeting, resource management, implementation as well as monitoring and evaluation.
• Ability to analyze and interpret financial data and apply management principles and practices in making sound business decisions.
• Strong analytical and fact-based decision-making skills.
• Proven track record in developing and administering marketing programs and ability to establish clear metrics for marketing effectiveness.
• Must be a self-starter, highly organized, and able to work well with people at all levels in the organization.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Analytical and creative thinking skills.
• Project management skills.
• Strong persuasion and negotiation skills.
• Strong business acumen / business orientation.
• Good customer relationship management skills (internal and external customers).
• Trustworthiness and discretion when handling confidential information.

Academic and Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a business-related field from a reputable university.
• Professional qualification(s) in insurance e.g. ACII, FCII or equivalent.