Senior Commercial Manager

Howden Group Holdings; Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global insurance group in Peterborough is seeking a Senior Commercial Manager to drive their commercial strategy for Personal Lines and SME insurance. The ideal candidate will have experience in the insurance industry, excellent negotiation skills, and the ability to manage relationships effectively. This position offers a hybrid working model, competitive compensation, and opportunities for growth in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in a commercial role within the insurance industry, ideally with exposure to Personal Lines and SME products.
• Experience managing insurer relationships and distribution channels.
• Strong understanding of insurance market dynamics and FCA compliance.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head of Commercial in executing the company’s commercial strategy.
• Identify opportunities for product development, capacity expansion, and distribution growth.
• Manage day-to-day relationships with insurers, aggregators, and key partners.
• Negotiate competitive terms and commission structures under guidance from the Head of Commercial.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure alignment on product and distribution strategies.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and regulatory changes to inform decisions.
• Ensure compliance with FCA regulations, GDPR, and internal governance frameworks.
• Assist with budgets, forecasts, and performance reporting for the commercial division.
• Act as a key member of the Commercial leadership team, supporting team development and engagement.

Skills

Excellent negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills

Strong analytical and financial acumen

Ability to work collaboratively across departments

Commercial awareness and strategic thinking

Job description

Who are we?

Howden is a global insurance group with employee ownership at its heart. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of insurance. We are united by a shared passion and no-limits mindset, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 23,000 employees spanning over 56 countries.

People join Howden for many different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. It’s what sets us apart, and the reason our employees have been turning down headhunters for years. Whatever your priorities – work / life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering – you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.

Senior Commercial Manager

Location: Hybrid – Peterborough

About the Role

We’re looking for a Senior Commercial Manager to play a key role in delivering our commercial strategy for Personal Lines and SME insurance. Working closely with the Head of Commercial, you’ll manage insurer and distribution relationships, identify growth opportunities, and lead initiatives that enhance profitability and market share. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with strong commercial acumen and relationship management skills who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Support the Head of Commercial in executing the company’s commercial strategy.
• Identify opportunities for product development, capacity expansion, and distribution growth.
• Manage day-to-day relationships with insurers, aggregators, and key partners.
• Negotiate competitive terms and commission structures under guidance from the Head of Commercial.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure alignment on product and distribution strategies.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and regulatory changes to inform decisions.
• Ensure compliance with FCA regulations, GDPR, and internal governance frameworks.
• Assist with budgets, forecasts, and performance reporting for the commercial division.
• Act as a key member of the Commercial leadership team, supporting team development and engagement.

About the Candidate

We’re looking for someone who combines commercial insight with strong relationship management skills. You’ll have:

• Experience:
  • Experience in a commercial role within the insurance industry, ideally with exposure to Personal Lines and SME products.
  • Experience managing insurer relationships and distribution channels.
  • Strong understanding of insurance market dynamics and FCA compliance.
• Skills & Competencies:
  • Excellent negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills.
  • Strong analytical and financial acumen.
  • Ability to work collaboratively across departments.
  • Commercial awareness and strategic thinking.

What do we offer in return?

A career that you define. At Howden, we value diversity – there is no one Howden type. Instead, we’re looking for individuals who share the same values as us:

• Our successes have all come from someone brave enough to try something new
• We support each other in the small everyday moments and the bigger challenges
• We are determined to make a positive difference at work and beyond

Reasonable adjustments

We're committed to providing reasonable accommodations at Howden to ensure that our positions align well with your needs. Besides the usual adjustments such as software, IT, and office setups, we can also accommodate other changes such as flexible hours* or hybrid working*.

If you're excited by this role but have some doubts about whether it’s the right fit for you, send us your application – if your profile fits the role’s criteria, we will be in touch to assist in helping to get you set up with any reasonable adjustments you may require.

*Not all positions can accommodate changes to working hours or locations. Reach out to your Recruitment Partner if you want to know more.

Permanent