JOB PURPOSE:

Assists in planning and implementing pursuit of strategic opportunities for Business Insurance, by cultivating client relationships or other commercial relationships and identifying new markets for Business Insurance products or services.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Business Development

Monitor and assess sales and market data for a specific geographic region and market segment; and produce reports that will assist management in formulating strategy and identifying areas in the market where business can be developed.

Customer Relationship Development / Prospecting

Develop and implement relationship management plans for complex potential customer accounts to identify and build relationships with relevant decision makers and influencers within the customer organization and to enable effective two-way flow of information and resolution of issues.

Customer Needs Clarification

Set clear objectives for each sales call; develop and make presentations that are tailored to the known interests, needs, issues, and concerns of decision makers and influencers within the customer organization; gather and analyze relevant information; and gain agreement to a statement of customer requirements.

Sell Customer Propositions

Use personal expertise to identify the complex standard products and/or services offered by the organization that meet the customer's needs, together with quantities and product configurations. Present these to the customer with a clear rationale and at standard commercial terms, referring to senior colleagues where necessary to ask for concessions (e.g., price reduction) that gain the customer's agreement.

Sales Opportunities Creation

Develop a personal network within the business sector and represent the organization at business sector events. Obtain market intelligence and enhance the visibility and reputation of the organization, its products, and its services.

Customer Relationship Management / Account Management

Develop and implement a customer contact plan to communicate product launches and engage the customers in relevant sales campaigns. Act as first point of contact for customer queries and complaints and resolve these, referring complex issues to others and ensuring that the customer receives an appropriate response.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Data

Enter customer information that has been gathered through research and/or through direct customer contact into the customer relationship management system, to ensure that the organization has quality data to enable effective customer retention and business development activities OR Ensure that team members maintain up-to-date customer relationship management data, identifying and resolving issues.

Operational Compliance

Maintain and renew a deep knowledge and understanding of the organization's policies and procedures and of relevant regulatory codes and codes of conduct, and ensure own work adheres to required standards.

Personal Capability BuildingDevelop own capabilities by participating in assessment and development planning activities as well as formal and informal training and coaching; gain or maintain external professional accreditation (CPD, Class of Business) where relevant to improve performance and fulfill personal potential. Maintain an indepth understanding of technology, external regulation, and industry best practices through ongoing education, attending conferences, and reading specialist media.

SKILLS:

Customer-Focused Approach
Works without supervision and provides technical guidance when required to orient the seller's organization around delivering to the key needs of their customers.

Understands Customer Needs Works without supervision and provides technical guidance when required to quickly and accurately define the needs of the key buying influencers.

Builds Rapport Works without supervision and provides technical guidance when required to quickly and effectively establish trust within the buying centers in the client's organization.

Verbal Communication Acts with expertise as the organization's authority on using clear and effective verbal communications skills to express ideas, request actions and formulate plans or policies.

Policy and procedures Works without supervision and provides technical guidance when required on developing, monitoring, interpreting and understanding policies and procedures, while making sure they match organizational strategies and objectives.

Commercial Acumen Acts as the organization's authority and established expert to develop solutions based on an understanding of the business environment and objectives.

Negotiates Tactically Uses comprehensive knowledge and skills to act independently while guiding and training others to facilitate the commercial details of an opportunity such that both parties are satisfied with the value gained.

Closes Effectively Uses comprehensive knowledge and skills to act independently while guiding
and training others to arrive at mutually beneficial commitments that help move the sales/client relationship forward.

Knows the Buying Influences Works without supervision and provides technical guidance when required to accurately identify and understand the key buying influences pertaining to an opportunity.

Manages Customer Indifference Works without supervision and provides technical guidance when required to acknowledge and ask questions to understand the circumstances surrounding client indifference.

Strengthens Customer Connections Works at an advanced level to connect with customers to strengthen the relationship, meeting personal needs through positive customer experiences.Typically works independently and provides guidance.

Effectively Presents Solutions Applies expertise to act as an authority to clearly present solutions that link directly to the key objectives and challenges important to the client.

EDUCATION:
General Education Matric/SAQA Accredited Equivalent (Essential) Full FAIS accreditation (150 credits) (Essential) RE 5 (Essential) RE 1 (Advantageous)

EXPERIENCE:
General Experience 3-6 years industry and commercial experience

Business Partner (Durban)