Head of Distribution Strategy & Sales Governance

Markel; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance provider is looking for a Head of Distribution Strategy & Sales Governance in Leeds to oversee the strategic direction and effectiveness of broker distribution channels. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in the general insurance industry, proven success in managing distribution initiatives, and strong stakeholder engagement skills. This hybrid role offers a competitive salary along with a generous benefits package.

Benefits

Generous annual bonus

25 days paid holiday

Pension scheme

Private medical cover

Qualifications

• Experience in the general insurance industry with senior leadership.
• Proven track record of delivery against new business targets.
• High competence in using data for performance management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement broker distribution strategy.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
• Build strong relationships with broker partners.

Skills

Broker relationship management

Performance management

Risk management

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Head of Distribution Strategy & Sales Governance (Broker)

Do you have experience building broker propositions? Are you looking to progress your insurance career with a forward‑thinking, people‑driven business?

Join Markel as our Head of Distribution Strategy & Sales Governance – a hybrid role based in Leeds, Manchester or Birmingham with travel to our London office.

Overview

The Head of Distribution Strategy & Sales Governance (Broker) is a pivotal leadership role responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, operational effectiveness and regulatory compliance of broker distribution channels (Open market, Digital and Schemes). This role ensures that all sales activities, partnerships and broker relationships align with the organisation’s objectives, compliance requirements and best‑practice standards.

Responsibilities

• Strategy Development: Develop and implement the broker distribution strategy in alignment with Markel’s commercial objectives and growth targets.
• Sales Governance: Design and implement robust governance frameworks to ensure all broker sales activities adhere to regulatory, legal and company standards.
• Performance Management: Work with the Head of Strategic Sales to set and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for broker sales teams, driving continuous improvement and accountability.
• Regulatory Compliance: Act as the primary point of contact for all matters relating to sales compliance, ensuring timely adaptation to regulatory changes and industry best practices.
• Broker Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong, productive relationships with key broker partners, fostering trust and collaboration for remuneration/ISA’s.
• Accountability for broker proposition – development and continuous improvement.
• Risk Management: Identify, assess and mitigate risks within the broker sales channel, ensuring effective internal controls are in place.
• Training & Development: Oversee the development and delivery of training programmes to ensure broker distribution teams are fully equipped in compliance, product knowledge and sales effectiveness.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including Legal, Compliance, Underwriting, Marketing and Product teams, to support business objectives.
• Reporting & Insights: Provide regular updates and actionable insights to senior management on broker performance, compliance issues and emerging risks.

Qualifications

• Previous experience within the general insurance industry and working with senior leadership and placement teams of large, sophisticated brokers with a UK footprint of offices.
• Distribution experience – including strategy setting, framework development and implementation of change.
• Demonstrable experience and success in roles with a distribution/development focus, with a proven track record of delivery against new business and portfolio growth targets and objectives.
• Understanding of project management techniques and stakeholder management of both internal and external stakeholders.
• High competence in the use of data to robustly performance‑manage distribution delivery and instigate corrective action as necessary.
• High standard of presentation skills, including the ability to differentiate these according to audience and target outcome.
• Challenging, self‑starting and success‑oriented individuals who bring expertise, initiative and a desire to build a market‑leading business.
• Credibility and engaging representative of Markel, in order to cultivate long‑term relationships within the industry.

Company

Markel Corporation (NYSE – MKL) is a Fortune 500 company with over 60 offices in more than 20 countries, acting as a holding company for insurance, reinsurance, specialist advisory and investment operations around the world.

Benefits

• A great starting salary plus a generous annual bonus and a strong benefits package.
• 25 days paid holiday plus bank holidays, with the opportunity to buy or sell additional leave.
• Fantastic company pension scheme, private medical and dental cover, life assurance, travel insurance, income protection, season‑ticket loan and other benefits.
• Countless opportunities to learn new skills and develop your career, with the support needed to do so.

How to apply

Choose “Apply Now” to fill out our short application, so that we can find out more about you.

EEO & Accommodations

Markel celebrates a diverse workforce and welcomes applicants of all backgrounds. We are an equal‑opportunity employer and provide reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities. Please contact us via email at [e-mail] or call 0161 507 5827 to request accommodations or alternative formats for the application.