About the Role
We are looking for a high-performing Senior Business Development Manager to play an integral role in delivering Munich Re's Ambition 2030 and strengthening our position as a strategic partner of choice in the UK and Irish life and protection market. This is a senior client-facing role for an experienced individual who can combine market insight, relationship leadership, disciplined execution and strong commercial judgement whilst acting as a trusted deputy and providing strategic support to the Head of Business Development.
Responsibilities
•Own and develop senior relationships with allocated clients, building trust, credibility and long-term partnership value.
•Develop and execute clear business development strategies that are aligned to Ambition 2030, client priorities, Munich Re's risk appetite and profitability expectations.
•Generate and convert profitable new business opportunities across relevant product lines, ensuring commercial opportunities are appropriately prioritised and progressed.
•Take accountability for the profitability and performance of existing business, escalating and leading action where terms, rates, treaty structure or client engagement require review.
•Act as a trusted adviser to clients by understanding their strategy, market position, decision-making structures and reinsurance needs.
•Use market, competitor and client insight to identify emerging opportunities, threats and areas where Munich Re can differentiate its proposition.
•Lead complex client discussions and negotiations, balancing commercial growth, risk, profitability and relationship considerations.
•Coordinate internal expertise across pricing, underwriting, claims, operations, legal, product and senior leadership teams to deliver high-quality client outcomes.
•Support the Head of Business Development by driving forward agreed strategic priorities, providing clear client insight and acting as a senior representative of the Business Development function.
•Contribute to raising Munich Re's profile in the UK and Ireland market through high-quality client engagement, market representation and proactive relationship-building.
•Support the development of Business Development Managers through coaching and mentoring.
•Maintain disciplined records of client meetings, actions, opportunities and decisions through the company CRM system.
•Develop through feedback and reflection, seeking out opportunities to learn and demonstrate growth in the role.
•Act as a trusted deputy and strategic support to the Head of Business Development where required.
•Operate as a senior member of the Business Development team, setting a high standard for client engagement, follow-through and commercial discipline.
•Anticipate future client and market needs, translating long-term opportunities and risks into clear strategic plans.
•Provide constructive challenge and insight to support better commercial decisions.
•Role-model collaboration across functions, ensuring client opportunities are progressed in a way that reflects the strength of the whole Munich Re proposition, holding yourself and others accountable.
•Demonstrate resilience in the face of setbacks, learning quickly and adapting the approach to maintain momentum and deliver strong client and commercial outcomes.
•Bring energy, curiosity and external perspective to help the team adapt and succeed as the market evolves.
•Ensure compliance with the Insurance Distribution Directive, satisfying all regulatory reporting requirements in collaboration with the reporting function.
•Liaise with all relevant regulatory bodies in the UK, creating a highly credible reputation and strong, collaborative relationship.
•Ensure compliance with Munich Re's Code of Conduct and the FCA Conduct Rules.
Requirements
•Strong business development, account management and strategic client relationship experience in financial services, insurance or reinsurance.
•Deep commercial judgement, with the ability to balance client opportunity, profitability, risk appetite and long-term relationship value.
•Proven ability to lead senior client conversations, influence decision-makers and negotiate commercially robust outcomes.
•Strong understanding of the UK protection market.
•Excellent communication skills, including the ability to produce high-quality material and present complex issues clearly to senior audiences.
•Strong internal influencing skills, with the ability to mobilise technical experts and senior stakeholders around client priorities.
•Highly organised and disciplined, with the ability to manage multiple client priorities, actions and deadlines at pace.
•Comfortable operating with autonomy, ambiguity and accountability in a senior commercial role.
•Strategic mindset (we think big) – plan and move into the future with clear intentions and purposeful actions, seeking regular feedback, making decisions today that lead the business toward its future commitments.
•Ensures accountability (we lead the 'we') – hold yourself and others accountable, creating a culture where people own their decisions and actions.
•Managing complexity (we grow with our clients) – make sense of complex and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems, learning and sharing along the way.
•Sponsors work (we care and dare) – know when to lead and when to let others lead, providing direction and delegating, empowering and trusting others to achieve their commitments.
•Develops talent (we care and dare) – develop the team to meet their career ambitions, building capability at an individual and organisational level, preparing them for future opportunities; discuss feedback and development regularly and promote a diverse and inclusive workforce.
•Being resilient (we are clear and authentic) – recover quickly from setbacks, seek feedback, learn and unlearn, move forward with courage and commitment.
•Seen as an expert in your field and the 'go to' person for your area of specialism within Munich Re.
•Seen as a role model/mentor to others, identifying opportunities to share knowledge.
•Demonstrate and role model inclusive behaviour and encourage colleagues to play an active role in creating an inclusive culture.
•Treat colleagues and sales and business partners fairly and with respect.
Nice to Have
•Actuarial, underwriting, pricing, product, reinsurance or broader protection market experience would be advantageous.
•Qualified actuary (desirable).
Benefits
•Great compensation package with on-target bonus.
•25 days annual leave with the option to purchase more.
•Private medical insurance.
•Employers' contributory pension of 10%.
•Fully paid 6 months family leave.
