Corporate Sales Executive (Business Development) Job – General Insurance and IFA Channel

A career opportunity is available for an insurance professional who understands that corporate business growth depends not only on finding new clients, but also on building strong intermediary relationships and keeping existing portfolios active. The Corporate Sales Executive (Business Development) role focuses on growing and retaining General Insurance business through Independent Financial Advisors (IFAs), combining sales, relationship management, customer service and insurance knowledge.

The position is particularly suited to someone who enjoys working with business partners, identifying opportunities and turning relationships into measurable commercial results. Rather than concentrating solely on direct selling, the role places the Independent Financial Advisor channel at the centre of business development. The successful candidate will therefore need to understand how to work with IFAs, support them effectively and encourage greater placement of corporate General Insurance business.

At the heart of the position is the responsibility to achieve annual premium targets while protecting and expanding the existing portfolio.

The Business Starts With Relationships

Much of the work revolves around developing productive relationships with IFAs. These relationships are expected to generate new corporate business while also helping maintain business that is already on the books.

The Corporate Sales Executive will be expected to identify opportunities within the IFA network and work towards converting them into actual business. This includes recruiting new IFAs, bringing them through the onboarding process and activating them so that they begin placing corporate General Insurance business.

However, bringing an IFA into the network is only part of the responsibility. The role also requires continued engagement with existing intermediaries. Building strategic relationships with important IFAs can help increase business support, improve market penetration and contribute to portfolio growth.

This makes relationship management an important part of the day-to-day work. The person in this position will need to understand what IFAs require, respond to their concerns and maintain relationships that can support long-term business retention.

Turning Opportunities Into Corporate Business

Sales performance remains a major part of the position. The Corporate Sales Executive will work to secure new corporate General Insurance business through IFAs and grow existing accounts according to established objectives and portfolio targets.

The work involves applying business development techniques to identify potential opportunities and move them forward. The executive will also be expected to implement market and IFA-specific initiatives designed to increase growth and meet assigned premium objectives.

There is a strong conversion element to the role. Recruiting an IFA does not automatically translate into business, so the executive must work towards activating new relationships and increasing the amount of corporate General Insurance business placed through the channel.

Approved incentive schemes and other authorised initiatives may also be promoted as part of efforts to encourage new business and strengthen engagement with IFAs.

Success in the role therefore depends on more than maintaining a large contact list. The focus is on productive relationships, actual business placement, portfolio growth and the ability to achieve premium targets.

Retention Is Just as Important as New Sales

Winning new business is only one side of corporate insurance sales. Existing customers and portfolios also require consistent attention, particularly when renewal dates approach.

The executive will proactively manage corporate renewals with the aim of maximising retention and reducing business losses. This requires staying close to the business, following up at the appropriate time and working with relevant teams to resolve issues that could affect renewal decisions.

Customer service also forms part of this responsibility. IFAs and clients may have questions or concerns relating to policies, claims, commissions or other service matters. The executive will coordinate with the relevant teams to ensure that these issues are addressed within a reasonable timeframe.

The position also involves following up on premium collections and supporting the resolution of outstanding premium and receivables matters. In this environment, relationship management and commercial discipline need to work together.

Insurance Knowledge Has a Practical Role

This is not simply a sales position where general business knowledge is enough. The successful candidate needs a sound understanding of General Insurance products, including coverage, exclusions, policy terms and market practices.

The role also involves initial risk assessment within approved underwriting guidelines and delegated authority requirements. This means the executive needs to recognise the insurance considerations surrounding prospective business before forwarding the relevant information to Underwriting.

Proposal forms, risk information and other required documentation must be submitted to Underwriting for processing. The executive will therefore work between the IFA, client and internal insurance teams to help keep the business process moving.

This practical understanding of insurance is also important when responding to questions from IFAs and clients. Being able to explain products and processes clearly can help build confidence while ensuring that business discussions remain aligned with approved insurance requirements.

Helping IFAs Understand the Business

The relationship with an IFA does not end when a business opportunity is identified. The Corporate Sales Executive will also conduct General Insurance product and process training for IFAs.

This part of the role provides an opportunity to strengthen intermediary knowledge and engagement. Training schedules and reports will also need to be prepared and submitted as required.

The position therefore combines commercial activity with a degree of knowledge-sharing. An effective executive should be able to communicate insurance products and processes in a way that IFAs can understand and apply when working with corporate clients.

The role also requires monitoring IFA trends and developments within the market. Competitor activity and other relevant market information should be observed and shared with the supervisor. This helps ensure that business development activity remains informed by what is happening within the wider market.

Working Across the Insurance Business

Corporate General Insurance sales cannot operate in isolation from other departments. Once business is identified, several functions may become involved in processing and servicing it.

The executive will work closely with Underwriting, Claims, Finance, Branches and other relevant functions to support seamless service delivery and achievement of business objectives.

This cross-functional element means that communication and coordination are essential. A corporate client or IFA may require assistance that involves more than one internal department, and the executive will help coordinate the response.

The position also requires regular performance reporting. Daily, weekly and other business reports will be prepared and submitted as required. These reports help track activity and performance against the commercial objectives assigned to the role.

The Experience Behind the Position

The opportunity is aimed at an insurance professional with between two and four years of relevant industry experience. Experience in General Insurance sales, business development or intermediary relationship management is particularly relevant.

A bachelor's degree in Business, Insurance, Finance, Marketing or another relevant business-related discipline is required. The professional qualification is equally important, with candidates expected to have an insurance qualification such as ACII, IIK or an equivalent recognised professional insurance qualification.

The ideal professional background therefore combines formal education with practical exposure to the insurance market.

Experience managing corporate business would be particularly relevant because the role requires the ability to grow an assigned portfolio while maintaining strong retention levels. The candidate should also be comfortable working towards measurable premium and growth objectives.

The Commercial Skills That Matter

Relationship building is one of the most important capabilities required for this position, but it needs to be supported by strong commercial skills.

The executive should be capable of identifying business opportunities, using sales and business development techniques and influencing potential clients and intermediaries towards conversion. Negotiation skills are also important because corporate insurance business can involve discussions with both IFAs and clients.

Risk assessment knowledge is another key requirement. The successful candidate must be able to apply underwriting principles appropriately while remaining within approved guidelines and delegated authority.

Strong portfolio management skills will also be necessary. Growing a book of business is not simply about adding new accounts; it involves maintaining relationships, following up renewals, addressing service concerns and supporting premium collection.

The role consequently brings together several areas of expertise: sales, insurance knowledge, relationship management, negotiation, risk awareness and customer service.

A Role Built Around Measurable Growth

The Corporate Sales Executive (Business Development) position is ultimately about turning the IFA channel into a productive source of corporate General Insurance business.

The successful candidate will be expected to find new opportunities, develop intermediary relationships, activate new IFAs, encourage business placement and protect existing accounts. At the same time, they will need to coordinate with internal teams, support customers, monitor market developments and maintain accurate performance reporting.

For an insurance professional with the required academic background, professional insurance qualification and two to four years of relevant experience, the role offers a position where relationship-building and commercial performance are closely connected.

It is an opportunity for someone who can combine knowledge of General Insurance with the ability to build trust, pursue opportunities and maintain business relationships over time. The strongest fit will be a professional who is comfortable working towards premium targets while remaining attentive to service quality, underwriting requirements and the long-term value of the corporate portfolio.

Application

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