Senior Commercial Account Executive - Athlone

Howden Ireland; Athlone; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Howden Ireland, based in Athlone, is seeking a Senior Account Executive to own a portfolio of high-value commercial clients, focusing on renewals, retention, and growth. You will lead strategic discussions, engage with insurers, and mentor junior staff while driving revenue and client value.

The role requires extensive knowledge of the Irish insurance market, a CIP qualification, and a track record in complex client management. Excellent negotiation and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8+ years' experience in a commercial insurance broking or underwriting role.
• CIP Qualification is a neccessity.
• Strong technical knowledge across a broad range of commercial insurance products and the Irish market.
• Proven track record in client retention, portfolio growth, and new business generation.
• Highly skilled negotiator with ability to influence clients and insurers.
• Strategic advisory level collaboration with clients.
• Mentoring or supporting junior team members preferred.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong organisational skills with multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Full clean driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with key commercial clients as trusted advisor on insurance matters.
• Own portfolio, ensuring retention, profitability, and opportunities for cross-selling and up-selling.
• Lead end-to-end renewal process for complex commercial risks including market engagement and terms negotiation.
• Identify, pursue, and convert new business opportunities to drive revenue growth.
• Analyze clients' risk profiles and provide tailored insurance solutions.
• Leverage insurer relationships to secure competitive terms and monitor market trends.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and maintain audit-ready documentation.
• Mentor and support junior colleagues, share expertise, help team development.
• Provide leadership feedback on market conditions, product innovation, and service improvements.
• Lead client meetings and strategic reviews including renewals and pitches.

Skills

Client portfolio management

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Strategic advisory

Mentoring

Communication

Presentation

Team collaboration

Education

CIP Qualification

Job description

Based in our Athlone office, Howden Ireland are delighted to have a vacancy of Senior Account Executive within our Commercial division. This is a key position within the business, responsible for managing a portfolio of high-value commercial clients, driving strategic growth, and contributing to the overall success of the Commercial team.

About the role

Reporting to the Team Leader and Head of Existing Business, the Senior Account Executive will take full ownership of a portfolio of commercial clients, leading renewal and retention strategies while proactively identifying and securing new business opportunities.

This role requires a highly experienced professional with strong technical expertise, commercial acumen, and the ability to operate at a strategic level. The successful candidate will play a critical role in maximising client value, driving revenue growth, mentoring junior team members, and contributing to the development of best practices across the Commercial function.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong, long-term partnerships with key commercial clients, acting as a trusted advisor on all insurance and risk matters.
• Take full responsibility for a portfolio of clients, ensuring retention, profitability, and identifying opportunities for cross-selling and up-selling.
• Lead the end-to-end renewal process for complex commercial risks, including market engagement, structuring of placements, negotiation of terms, and delivery of optimal outcomes.
• Proactively identify, pursue, and convert new business opportunities, contributing to overall business growth and achieving agreed revenue targets.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of clients' risk profiles and provide tailored, strategic insurance solutions aligned to their evolving needs.
• Leverage strong insurer relationships to secure competitive terms, while maintaining awareness of market trends, pricing dynamics, and emerging products.
• Ensure adherence to all regulatory requirements, company procedures, and compliance standards, maintaining best-in-class documentation and audit readiness.
• Act as a senior point of contact within the team, supporting and mentoring junior colleagues, sharing expertise, and contributing to team development initiatives.
• Provide feedback to leadership on market conditions, product innovation, and service improvements to enhance client outcomes and operational efficiencies.
• Lead client meetings and presentations, including involvement in strategic reviews, renewals, and prospect pitches.

About You

• Minimum 8+ years' experience in a commercial insurance broking or underwriting role, with demonstrable experience managing complex client portfolios.
• CIP Qualification is a neccessity
• Strong technical knowledge across a broad range of commercial insurance products and the Irish insurance market.
• Proven track record in client retention, portfolio growth, and new business generation.
• Highly skilled negotiator with the ability to influence both clients and insurers to deliver optimal outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to operate at a strategic, advisory level with clients.
• Experience mentoring or supporting junior team members preferred.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Full clean driving licence.

About Howden Ireland

Howden Ireland is part of Howden, the global insurance intermediary group, and has over 600 employees across 28 local offices advising clients on their commercial insurance, personal insurance, health insurance, life and pensions and mortgage requirements. Our success is primarily down to the incredible people we employ.

For more information, please visit About Us | Howden Ireland (howdengroup.com)