Head of Distribution Services & Support

Job Summary

To ensure the performance of an energised team of broker administration, sales support, event management, sales IT and sales controlling that delivers demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the allocated broker market, customer, distributor, regulator, works council, third party suppliers, and the media to support a high performing team.

Job Accountabilities

• Contribute to the overall leadership of the business including the formation and execution of the business strategy, management of expenses, sponsorship of significant development programmes of work.
• Define and deliver support functions (e.g. sales support, IT sales support) and administration service for all brokers.
• Jointly develop and agree demand levels, unit costs and Service Level Agreements for shared services from Support and Control functions (as per the service offerings defined by Propositions.)
• Optimises the operating model for the business in line with Zurich standards and policy and leveraging local, regional and global expertise.
• Works with the other segments to ensure activity is joined-up and customer focused, and that as an organization we are easy for customers to deal with.
• Attracts, develops performance manage, retain and motivate capable employees in support of high performance, a strong succession plan, employee engagement, a positive culture and delivery of the function´s current and planned responsibilities within expense and headcount allocations.

Business Accountabilities

• Set, agree and control opex budgets for functional area and propose capex investments in to ensure objectives are achieved in line with the organization´s goals.
• Lead multi-dimensional, high-value programs in complex cross functional/organizational environments to deliver business change or improvements in business/customer metrics.
• Communicate and take the necessary action, including strategies to deliver behavior change, to enforce the company´s risk and compliance policy framework.
• Evaluate market dynamics to anticipate channel development requirements and their impact on the organization’s performance, and call the attention of senior leadership to distribution trends and potential implications for broker administration.
• Review and interpret Sales & Distribution policies, develop and recommend changes and initiate plans to support their effective implementation.
• Implement and drive the sales and distribution elements of the business plan, working with key functions (e. g. marketing, underwriting) to develop market focused initiatives aligned to wider strategy.
• Negotiate, agree and manage the performance of commercial partners to enhance customer service across a region.
• Contribute to global Sales and Distribution strategy and implement strategy, activities and initiatives across the Business Unit to achieve distribution/customer/sales targets and support business objectives.
• Build strong relationships with senior leaders locally, in order to support and challenge stakeholders regarding their understanding of market developments, and the suitability, resource adequacy, and execution of their plans.
• Build relationships with key customers and distributors and negotiate/finalize strategic distributors’ agreements and terms of business.