Senior Business Development Manager – Employee Benefits

Our client is a leading regional insurance provider with a strong presence across the GCC, offering a comprehensive portfolio of employee benefits and health insurance solutions to corporate, SME, and retail clients. They are seeking a Senior Business Development Manager – Employee Benefits to be based in the UAE, responsible for driving profitable growth across broker and intermediary channels. This role is critical in expanding market share, strengthening strategic broker relationships, and delivering sustainable portfolio performance. Success will be defined by the ability to secure new business, maximize renewal retention, and build long-term partnerships that contribute to profitable growth. This is a senior commercial leadership role with responsibility for developing and executing growth strategies across both SME, retail, and large corporate segments. The role will work closely with underwriting, claims, operations, and finance teams to deliver commercially competitive solutions while maintaining profitability and governance standards. The successful candidate will bring deep knowledge of the UAE insurance market, strong broker management experience, and the ability to drive performance across complex portfolios and distribution channels. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES • Drive new business acquisition, portfolio growth, renewal retention, and profitability across employee benefits portfolios • Develop and execute business development strategies aligned with overall commercial objectives and market opportunities • Build, manage, and strengthen relationships with key brokers and intermediaries to increase market share and share of wallet • Identify and convert new business opportunities across SME, retail, and large corporate segments • Lead renewal and retention strategies in partnership with underwriting teams to maximize profitable retention • Manage complex commercial negotiations involving pricing, benefits, terms, and service requirements • Maintain oversight of portfolio performance, claims trends, profitability, pipeline activity, and key account movements • Coordinate closely with underwriting, claims, operations, finance, and other stakeholders to deliver client and broker requirements effectively • Oversee complex quotations, tenders, RFPs, and renewal submissions to ensure strong commercial positioning • Monitor market trends, competitor activity, broker dynamics, and customer needs to identify growth opportunities and support strategic decision-making • Drive service excellence by ensuring high-quality broker and client experiences across the end-to-end customer journey • Lead strategic initiatives focused on improving distribution capabilities, commercial performance, and operational efficiency REQUIREMENTS • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Insurance, Finance, Economics, or a related discipline; a Master’s degree or professional insurance qualification is an advantage • Proven experience in business development, sales, account management, or distribution within the insurance industry • Strong knowledge of the UAE insurance market, particularly employee benefits and medical insurance products • Significant experience managing and developing broker and intermediary relationships • Demonstrated success in delivering new business growth, renewal retention, and profitability targets • Strong commercial acumen across pricing, portfolio management, claims performance, and profitability drivers • Experience handling complex tenders, RFPs, renewals, and commercial negotiations • Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, communication, and presentation skills • Strong analytical and strategic planning capabilities with the ability to make data-driven commercial decisions • Excellent written and spoken English; Arabic would be an advantage **Due to the high volume of applications, please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear from us within two weeks, kindly consider your application unsuccessful at this time. Thank you for your understanding.** Show more Show less

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Insurance, Finance, Economics, or a related discipline; a Master’s degree or professional insurance qualification is an advantage. Proven experience in business development, sales, account management, or distribution within the insurance industry. Strong knowledge of the UAE insurance market, particularly employee benefits and medical insurance products. Significant experience managing and developing broker and intermediary relationships. Demonstrated success in delivering new business growth, renewal retention, and profitability targets. Strong commercial acumen across pricing, portfolio management, claims performance, and profitability drivers. Experience handling complex tenders, RFPs, renewals, and commercial negotiations. Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, communication, and presentation skills. Strong analytical and strategic planning capabilities with the ability to make data-driven commercial decisions. English fluency; Arabic would be an advantage.

Drive new business acquisition, portfolio growth, renewal retention, and profitability across employee benefits portfolios; Develop and execute business development strategies aligned with overall commercial objectives and market opportunities; Build, manage, and strengthen relationships with key brokers and intermediaries to increase market share and share of wallet; Identify and convert new business opportunities across SME, retail, and large corporate segments; Lead renewal and retention strategies in partnership with underwriting teams to maximize profitable retention; Manage complex commercial negotiations involving pricing, benefits, terms, and service requirements; Maintain oversight of portfolio performance, claims trends, profitability, pipeline activity, and key account movements; Coordinate closely with underwriting, claims, operations, finance, and other stakeholders to deliver client and broker requirements effectively; Oversee complex quotations, tenders, RFPs, and renewal submissions to ensure strong commercial positioning; Monitor market trends, competitor activity, broker dynamics, and customer needs to identify growth opportunities and support strategic decision-making; Drive service excellence by ensuring high-quality broker and client experiences across the end-to-end customer journey; Lead strategic initiatives focused on improving distribution capabilities, commercial performance, and operational efficiency.