Commercial Account Handler

Job title: Client Broker

Salary: £35,000

Location: Gateshead

Purpose of role:

• To support the firm’s growth and profitability goals by developing new and existing sales and accounts demonstrating excellent business development skills
• To provide professional and efficient service and advice to all customers through the promotion and recommendation of products and risk management advice in accordance with customer demands and needs, whilst ensuring full regulatory compliance
• To enhance the professional image, reputation, and effectiveness of the firm.
• You will be able and willing to work extended hours and attend out of hours events as required by the role
• Sufficiently mobile and flexible to travel
• Professional personal presentation and appearance at all times

Key responsibilities:

• Key Performance Indicators
• New Client Acquisition
• Existing Client Retention
• Development
• Regulatory Compliance
• Personal Development
• Operational Administration
• Self-start and self-generate opportunities to prospect, negotiate with, convert and retain new clients by effective business development, pipeline management / forecasting, and prospecting in line with firm, team and individual targets
• Positively support the firm’s business development goals, brand recognition and professional reputation as a leading general insurance broker through networking, prospect relationship management and development, and other PR activity in order to promote the firm in the local economy and community
• Proactively identify and develop existing client accounts by way of cross selling, up selling and generation of referral and recommendation opportunities
• Develop and maintain productive professional working relationships with all internal and external stakeholders
• Actively seek feedback and testimonials from clients and business partners and respond to feedback received
• Resolve enquiries in a timely and efficient manner to avoid credit control, bad debt and insurer reconciliation issues and to liaise with accounts and claims handlers to achieve excellent client service standards and retain existing clients
• At all times ensure accuracy, efficiency and professionalism inside and outside of the business when dealing with colleagues, clients, prospects, insurers, service providers and business partners
• Follow the recommended sales, renewal and marketing strategy as laid down by the firm

 Specific Role Requirements:

• Technical & Market Knowledge
• Fleet
• Marine
• Business Interruption
• Goods in Transit
• Property Liability
• Professional Indemnity
• Work Experience Minimum of two years’ experience in commercial broking
• Education and Training ACII (or commitment to achieve in agreed timescale)
• Computer Skills
  • Adept in use of MS Office 2007 and/or later
  • Adept in use of MS Outlook 2007 and/or later
  • Adept in use of MS Excel 2007 and/or later
  • Adept in the use of the firm’s IT systems

Regulatory Compliance:

• Be aware of the contents of the firm’s Compliance Manual and ensure a full understanding of the chapters relevant to your role. Ensure full compliance to the procedures contained within the Manual:
• Insurer Business (Commercial / Consumer – differentiating approach as appropriate)
• General Conduct of Business – Complaints – Training & Competence
• Ensure compliance to the firm’s employment policies and procedures as contained within the Employee Handbook.
• Ensure all other firm practices and procedures are followed and adhered to
• Ensure all business activity fully complies with regulatory requirements and firm procedures as detailed in the Compliance Manual and Employee Handbook, using checklists and support documentation as provided by the firm to assist with demonstrating regulatory compliance.
• Conduct learning, training, and assessment exercises to develop and maintain professional competence in accordance with the individual Training & Competence scheme applicable and to identify further areas for development as required.
• Work towards agreed professional accreditation in line with agreed timescales.

Treating Customers Fairly:

• Be aware of and to follow at all times, the firm’s policy on Treating Customers Fairly including identification, seeking to mitigate and respond appropriately to any conflicts of interest which may arise
• Handle any complaints in accordance with firm procedures and regulatory requirements
• All employees are responsible for engaging with the senior management of the firm in ensuring that our customers are consistently treated fairly and for observing all of the firm’s TCF procedures

Insurers / Underwriters / Business Partners / Service Providers / Colleagues:

• Develop, achieve, and maintain effective and valuable relationships with insurers, underwriters, business partners, service providers and colleagues for the benefit of the firm and its clients in line with the firm’s placement strategy
• Negotiate with underwriters to gain a competitive pricing / appetite advantage over competitors for the benefit of the firm and its clients.
• Comply with the administration requirement of any given insurer / underwriter.
• Assimilate all firm literature circulated by the firm or its agencies
• Integrate, engage and communicate openly and honestly with colleagues and management

Security:

• Report any potential breaches including weaknesses in current systems to line manager.
• Ensure all personal data (client and employee) is secure, held and properly utilised in accordance with the principles of the Data Protection Act

Administration:

• Appropriately prioritise all client communication and ensure it is actioned in a timely way and in accordance with firm procedures
• Maintain all client contact records, computer and paper files in accordance with firm standards (which should be fully compliant with the relevant regulatory body)

Expected Behaviours:

• Be conscious of profitability to the brokerage and underwriters and understand the costs of client handling when transacting commercial business.
• Act in an honest and open manner at all times with both the client and the firm in all matters
• Have a client focussed approach
• Ensure that business transactions are conducted in a way that is clear and straightforward and not misleading
• Act with integrity by demonstrating fairness and impartiality
• Actively seek feedback from clients and report such feedback to the appropriate member of staff
• Maintain high standards of conduct and professionalism

Person Specification:

• Competencies Specification
• Team Building
• Able to get on with others and be a team player
• Team orientated
• Able to work on a co-operative basis
• Communication / Client Focus
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Able to communicate at all levels
• Excellent communicator
• Empathetic communicator – able to see things from another person’s point of view
• Motivation / Change
• Self-motivated / Self-starter
• Results orientated – enjoys working towards targets and focussed on achieving results
• Enjoys accountability
• Influence and Persuasion
• Credible
• Able to influence others to own way of thinking
• Able to raise and discuss opinions and ideas
• Customer Focus Able to build effective client relationships
• Able to handle all queries in a professional manner
• Personal Development
• Able and willing to critically assess own performance
• Keen to develop self and uses own initiative for self- development
• Mature outlook

If you have the relevant experience or know someone that does please contact us now on 0203 411 8430 or email us at admin@lawesgroup.co.uk