Director/ Senior Director, Market Development - Insurance

AM Best; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

AM Best, the leading international credit rating agency focused on the insurance sector, seeks an experienced market development professional to support growth in Continental Europe. The role is based in London or Amsterdam and reports to the Managing Director, Market Development, EMEA.

Key duties include developing market plans, executing targeted campaigns, and building relationships within the (re)insurance industry. German fluency is essential, with a second European language an advantage.

Qualifications

• Extensive market development experience in the (re)insurance industry.
• German language fluency is required.
• Experience in building senior-level client relationships.
• Willingness to travel across Europe as needed.
• Strong presentation and communication skills are essential.
• Knowledge of Solvency II and ERM is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to annual market development plan aligned with growth strategy.
• Research, plan and execute targeted marketing campaigns and events.
• Build network within the (re)insurance sector to raise AM Best brand and rating services.
• Manage relationships with prospective clients and explain rating processes.
• Price rating proposals and negotiate fees per approved models.
• Develop and maintain relationships with existing clients for long-term commitments.
• Handle commercial matters related to clients and support cross-office collaboration.
• Lead IMB events in Germany and NE Europe to boost participation.
• Keep abreast of rating methodology changes and policies.
• Produce market briefs, research reports and press comment with teams.
• Develop internal contacts across London and other AM Best offices.

Skills

German

Market development

Insurance knowledge

Travel in Europe

Presentations

Relationship building

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in Business or Marketing

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

AM Best, the leading international credit rating agency focused exclusively on the insurance sector, is seeking an experienced market development professional to support its ambitious growth plans in Continental Europe.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, Market Development, EMEA, the key purpose of the role is to build AM Best's profile in target European markets and grow year on year profitable new rating fee revenue through the effective development of prospective client relationships. The successful candidate is likely to have extensive market development experience and knowledge of the international insurance industry gained through working at a (re)insurer or broker, consultancy firm, rating agency or other industry service supplier. The ability to speak German is essential. Command of a second European language is highly desirable as well as a degree/masters level education particularly business or marketing related.

Note: The role can be either based in London or Amsterdam. If Amsterdam is your preference then please apply to this job advertisement.

Responsibilities

• To contribute to the development of an agreed annual market development plan in line with the Company’s strategic growth plan.
• To research, plan and execute targeted marketing campaigns, including external event participation, road shows, market seminars, briefings.
• To establish and develop a network of relationships within the (re)insurance industry, building awareness and presence of the AM Best brand and the value of its rating services.
• To successfully manage individual prospective client relationships, explaining the rating process, rating methodology.
• Price new rating proposals and negotiate fees in accordance with an approved fee model and successfully conclude contractual negotiations.
• To develop and manage highly effective and responsive relationships with existing rating clients helping to ensure their long-term commitment to AM Best.
• Deal with all commercial matters in relation to such clients as they arise.
• Spearhead IMB events in Germany and North Eastern Europe as necessary and work in increasing the market attendee participation.
• Understand and keep abreast of changes to AM Best’s rating methodology.
• Ensure compliance with the company’s policies and procedures specifically in relation to record keeping, international sanctions and client/prospect interactions.
• To contribute to the production of market briefings, research reports, and press comment, working collaboratively with press relations, and the analytical teams.
• Developing network of relevant internal contacts within London and the other AMB offices.

Required Skills and Experience

• Thorough knowledge of the international (re) insurance industry likely to have been gained through working within a consultancy, rating agency, broker, insurer or service supplier including ideally knowledge of reinsurance, London Market, ART/captives.
• An awareness of typical corporate/capital structures in the (re)insurance sector would be desirable.
• An awareness of risk-based capital, Solvency II and ERM.
• Market development experience, ideally in an insurance, consulting, accountancy, analytical or other complex and regulated environment.
• Ability to effectively build and manage a pipeline of opportunities and a number of complex rating proposals simultaneously.
• The ability to speak/write German fluently is essential.
• Fluency in second major European language is an advantage.
• Ability to build relationships at a senior management level.
• Experience of constructing and delivering high-quality presentations and communications.
• Ability to meet compliance requirements in accordance with company procedures reflecting the requirements of various regulatory bodies.
• Ability and desire to travel as required, principally in Europe.
• Ability to understand and communicate at a high level the technical aspects of performing credit analysis including rating methodologies, capital and other models.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications: Word, Excel and PowerPoint.