Head of Motor Trade

We’re delighted to present a rare opportunity to join our successful AXA Commercial business, as Head of Motor Trade, leading one of the market leading Motor Trade teams in the UK.

With dedicated experts, AXA gives our customers and brokers confidence, by delivering consistent experiences and customer excellence.

We’re seeking an experienced leader to execute the Motor Trade growth strategy, whilst ensuring we continue to deliver a high-quality service for our customers and broker partners.

As Head of Motor Trade, you’ll lead the localised deployment of the Motor Trade team strategy and delivery of profitable growth by focusing on Sales and Service Capability, Customer Service Excellence, Underwriting Strategy and Broker Development

The Motor Trade team benefits from having an experienced and established team, with a proven track record of delivering excellent results. The team ranges from experienced and empowered underwriters to apprentice level new starters, allowing for development and robust succession planning across the region. Working collaboratively across wider the Branch network, you’ll execute business plans by managing resources and processes so that a high quality, efficient and compliant service is provided to our brokers and business.

What you’ll be doing:

• Accountable for all Motor Trade business, including profitability, sales and servicing of new business. Oversee all relevant broker engagement to optimise sales decisions and broker experience for all Open Market Motor Trade business.
• Lead, motivate and develop the team to deliver market leading sales and service through the operational, underwriting and sales functions. (Managing 3 direct reports, with 40+ total FTE).
• Create an open and honest culture which drives engagement, development and supports CLI strategy to meet KPI’s.
• Build, manage and maintain strong relationships with all internal and external stakeholders, including all key customers to deliver strategy and increase business opportunities and proposition development.
• Lead and deliver the national Motor Trade strategy, to align with overall AXA CLI strategy, to include setting challenging targets for the function and monitoring performance against targets, costs and budget.
• Continue to meet profitability targets by driving underwriting strategy, maximising use of trading flexibility, full empowerment and adherence to underwriting protocols and regulatory requirements.
• Increase operational discipline across the team to deliver a simplistic, joined up experience for brokers, removing complexity for our employees and brokers and focusing efforts on work that drives excellent customer service and simplicity

At AXA we work smart, empowering our people to balance their time between home and the office in a way that works best for them, their team, and our customers. You'll work at least 60% of your week away from home, across the offices, visiting clients or attending industry events.

What you’ll bring:

• Industry expertise, with previous experience of working at a senior level within a commercial insurance environment; sound understanding of Motor Trade insurance market and processes essential.
• Proven track record of managing a profitable P&L within the intermediary channel.
• Excellent relationship management skills and experience of building successful long-term relationships both internal and external.
• Ability to create and maintain an open and honest culture which drives engagement, development and opportunity for all employees.
• People and resource management skills, with proven experience and ability in leading and motivating teams.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, displaying flexibility and resilience.
• Lead and manage change successfully in an environment where navigating complex and abstract challenges are commonplace.
• Strong service ethos and proven track record in improving standards / customer service.
• Pragmatic decision maker with experience of managing and analysing data.
• Strong long and short-term planning and analytical skills with proven experience of both operational & strategic planning.

This position has been defined as an Insurance Distribution Directive (IDD) role under the IDD regime which means that in addition to pre-employment screening checks, the successful candidate will be subject to background screening every 4 years with an annual declaration in interim years.

What we offer:

At AXA UK, we’re appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. You can expect to receive:

• Competitive annual salary dependent on experience
• Annual company & performance-based bonus
• Contributory pension scheme (up to 12% employer contributions)
• Life Assurance (up to 10 x annual salary)
• Company Car Cash Allowance
• Private Health Cover
• 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Opportunity to buy up to 5 extra days leave or sell up to 5 days leave
• Wellbeing services & resources
• AXA employee discounts

To apply, click on the ‘apply for this job’ button, you’ll then need to log in or create a profile to submit your CV. We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer and don’t discriminate against employees or potential employees based on protected characteristics. If you have a long-term condition or disability and require adjustments during the application or interview process, we’re proud to offer access to the AXA Accessibility Concierge. For our support, please send an email to kate.wilding@axa-uk.co.uk.

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Who we are:

AXA Commercial protects businesses, from multinationals to micro start-ups, giving them the confidence to thrive. We’re currently making our biggest ever investment to develop the expertise and skills we need to be the best. We’re a vibrant community where everyone is supported to learn, develop, and take ownership of their work.