Branch Manager

AXA Group; Maidstone; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

AXA Accessibility Concierge

Job summary

AXA, a global leader in insurance, is seeking an experienced leader to manage the Commercial Lines Branch in the United Kingdom. You will drive profitable growth, deliver excellent customer service, and lead a high‑performing team to achieve strategic goals.

Reporting to the Regional Director, you will oversee sales, broker relationships, renewal negotiations, and risk and underwriting standards, with a focus on efficiency, compliance, and stakeholder engagement across the business.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading a profitable commercial lines operation.
• Strong ability to build and maintain broker and client relationships.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning and execution.
• Track record of managing profitability, risk, and underwriting standards.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations of the Branch, delivering sales, service and profitability targets.
• Lead, motivate and develop a team of managers and staff to foster a high-performance culture.
• Build long-term relationships with brokers, agencies and internal stakeholders.
• Develop and execute local business plans aligned with AXA’s Commercial Lines strategy.
• Oversee all sales activities, including broker engagement, renewals and new business development.
• Ensure operational efficiency by reviewing processes and optimal resource use.
• Maintain focus on risk, compliance and underwriting standards.

Skills

Leadership

Relationship management

Strategic planning

Commercial insurance

P&L management

Job description

About AXA:

AXA is a global leader in insurance and financial services, dedicated to helping customers protect what matters most to them. As the sixth-largest insurance company in the world, we provide a wide range of services, including health, car, home, and business insurance. We support millions of customers worldwide, helping them navigate life's uncertainties with confidence.

AXA Commercial protects businesses, from multinationals to micro start-ups, giving them the confidence to thrive.

Job overview:

We’re looking for an experienced and inspiring leader to manage our Commercial Lines Branch, driving profitable growth, excellent customer service, and operational excellence. Reporting directly to the Regional Director, you’ll be responsible for delivering sales, managing relationships, and leading a high-performing team to achieve our strategic goals. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, excel at building relationships, and have a strong track record of managing profitable P&L within the insurance sector, this is your opportunity to shape the future of our Commercial Lines business.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Branch, ensuring sales, service, and profitability targets are delivered in line with strategic objectives.
• Lead, motivate, and develop a team of managers and staff to create a high-performance culture focused on customer excellence and continuous improvement.
• Build strong, long-term relationships with brokers, external agencies, and internal stakeholders, fostering trust and collaboration to maximise business opportunities.
• Develop and execute local business plans aligned with AXA’s Commercial Lines strategy, setting challenging targets and monitoring performance against KPIs.
• Oversee all sales activities, including broker engagement, renewal negotiations, and new business development, to drive profitable growth.
• Ensure operational efficiency by reviewing processes, managing resources, and implementing improvements to enhance customer experience and reduce costs.
• Maintain a strong focus on risk, compliance, and underwriting standards, supporting the delivery of audit outcomes and compliance targets.
• Represent the Branch at senior meetings, reporting on performance, market developments, and strategic initiatives to key internal and external stakeholder

Work arrangements:

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 two days a week (40%) away from home, moving to three days a week (60%) from December 2026. Away from home means attending the office, visiting clients or attending industry events

Your skills & experience:

• Proven experience managing a profitable insurance branch or intermediary business within the commercial insurance sector.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to develop talent and embed a performance-driven culture.
• Excellent relationship management skills, capable of building long-term partnerships with brokers, agencies, and internal teams.
• Demonstrable success in achieving sales, retention, and profitability targets.
• Strong strategic planning and operational management skills, with a focus on process improvement and efficiency.
• Sound knowledge of underwriting, risk management, and compliance standards.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills at all levels.
• Resilience, flexibility, and the ability to navigate complex challenges in a fast-changing environment.

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.

As a precondition of employment for this role, you must be eligible and authorised to work in the United Kingdom.

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.

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