Partnership Development Manager

Cfs Recruitment (Pty) Ltd; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,350,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading short‑term insurance organisation seeks a high‑calibre Partnership Development Manager to own, grow and govern a portfolio of strategic partnerships. You will engage executives, drive commercial performance and oversee delivery across underwriting, claims and operations.

Key duties include building a robust pipeline, negotiating terms, and presenting performance insights to leadership. The role emphasizes governance, compliance (FAIS/TCF) and disciplined reporting in a dynamic market.

Qualifications

• Recognised short-term insurance qualification and relevant regulatory training.
• RE5 certification and CPD compliance are preferred or required.
• Experience in business development and key account management.
• Knowledge of commercial and personal lines is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Act as the single contact for all existing partnerships.
• Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Lead joint business planning, service reviews and performance reporting.
• Identify risks, issues and pursue proactive resolution.
• Drive profitable growth and report to senior leadership.
• Structure and negotiate terms, including revenue share and exclusivity.
• Coordinate with underwriting, claims and operations to deliver service.

Skills

Business development

Partnership management

Relationship management

Executive stakeholder engagement

Negotiation

Education

RE5 certification

Recognised short-term insurance qualification

Class of Business training for Commercial & Personal Lines

Product Specific Training for Commercial & Personal Lines

Current CPD compliance

RE1 certification

Job description

A leading short‑term insurance organisation is seeking a highly skilled Partnership Development Manager to manage, grow, and develop a portfolio of strategic partnerships. This senior role requires a commercially minded relationship builder with strong insurance expertise, proven business development capability, and the ability to engage confidently at the executive level.

The Partnership Development Manager is responsible for owning all existing partner relationships, driving commercial performance, developing new partnership opportunities, and ensuring seamless internal coordination and governance. The role spans relationship management, commercial growth, new business development, operational delivery, compliance and disciplined reporting.

Key Responsibilities

Partner Relationship Management

• Act as the single point of contact for all existing partnerships.


• Build strong, trusted relationships with senior stakeholders.


• Manage structured engagement: joint business planning, service reviews, performance reporting and escalation management.


• Identify and resolve service issues, risks and relationship threats proactively.


• Ensure consistent, high‑quality service delivery across all partner touchpoints.

Commercial Performance & Growth

• Drive profitable growth across the partnership book.


• Deliver on agreed annual GWP and revenue targets.


• Manage commercial health of each partnership, ensuring growth improves net income.


• Monitor premium movement, revenue trends and book performance.


• Identify gaps, underinsured exposures and cross‑sell opportunities.


• Prepare and present commercial performance reports to senior leadership.

New Partnership Development

• Build and maintain a pipeline of new partnership opportunities.


• Evaluate prospects against commercial and operational criteria.


• Structure and negotiate partnership terms, including revenue share and exclusivity.


• Onboard new partners smoothly and meet annual acquisition targets.


• Leverage networks to generate qualified opportunities.

Internal Coordination & Delivery

• Coordinate delivery across underwriting, claims, administration and operations teams.


• Ensure internal alignment with partnership requirements and service standards.


• Manage partner‑related escalations promptly.


• Contribute to internal planning, reporting and problem‑solving.

Governance, Compliance & Reporting

• Maintain strong governance and disciplined record‑keeping.


• Comply with FAIS, TCF and all regulatory requirements.


• Protect confidentiality and handle information in line with privacy standards.


• Deliver accurate, timely reporting with measurable results and forward‑looking insights.


• Maintain disciplined execution with clear commitments and documented follow‑through.

Minimum Qualifications & Regulatory Requirements

• Recognised short‑term insurance qualification.


• RE5 certification.


• Product Specific Training for Commercial & Personal Lines.


• Class of Business training for Commercial & Personal Lines.


• Current CPD compliance.

Preferred

• RE1 certification (or willingness to obtain within 12 months).


• Additional specialist commercial or corporate insurance training.


• Business development, sales or key account management training.

Minimum Experience Requirements

• Proven experience in business development, partnership management or strategic key‑account management.


• Demonstrated ability to grow revenue through partners, channels or B2B relationships.


• Strong commercial acumen: deal economics, margin, revenue‑share modelling and negotiation.


• Senior‑level relationship management experience with executive stakeholders.


• Results‑driven and accountable for targets.

Preferred

• Commercial insurance or broader financial services experience.


• Understanding of binder and administration arrangements (or ability to learn quickly).


• Existing networks in transport & logistics, property management or asset finance.


• Solid knowledge of commercial insurance products, markets and industry dynamics.