Location - Based in the UK with regular travel between offices
The Role
A significant leadership position exists within the Hiscox UK Retail Business, known for its market-leading reputation in offering flexible, delegated solutions primarily to brokers and partners. Hiscox is ambitious about growing this business segment. The role involves driving the business forward, continuing to build and evolve the team, creating a scalable model, and delivering significant profitable growth. It entails leading the schemes sales, underwriting, and operational teams, with responsibility for developing and implementing the business strategy as well as managing profit and loss. A key focus for the future of Schemes is the implementation of digital solutions. In the next 12-18 months, a major area of emphasis will be to develop a strong operating rhythm with IT and Change to ensure effective delivery of our digital requirements.
What You'll Be Doing
As Head of Schemes, you will have accountability for the business through a virtual P&L, providing the visibility needed to drive financial performance and profitability. The role is a blend of leadership, strategy, operations, sales, and project management, without carrying underwriting authority.
Schemes GWP is in excess of £150m, with ambitions for significant growth. The team currently consists of c.35 people.
Leadership
Lead the team to ensure that GWP and profit targets are met.
Recruit, develop, and motivate a team of highly driven professionals across various roles.
Translate the vision, strategy, and plan for the team into SMART performance objectives, supporting high performance.
Work closely with underwriting, delivery, and sales managers to ensure necessary technical and personal development for staff.
Ensure succession of key roles through active talent development and appropriate resourcing.
Collaborate across Hiscox UK, particularly with regional businesses, operations, IT and change, and underwriting.
Maintain high motivation and energy in schemes by leading by example.
Strategic Mindset
Work closely with underwriting to provide a strong 'outside in' view of broker requirements, particularly regarding underwriting appetite.
Evolve the operating model in schemes to enhance efficiency, aligning with the strategy to double in size without doubling the headcount.
Play a leading role in shaping the overall digital strategy of the UK business, representing opportunities in schemes over the next five years.
Lead the development of future strategies for schemes in the UK.
Drives Results
Collaborate with the Broker Sales Director and their Regional Managers to align schemes with regional broker requirements and overall strategy.
Regularly report scheme performance to appropriate leadership teams.
Engage with and hold accountable the schemes owners, Regional Managers , and RUMs for proactive management of their schemes.
Work with pricing to develop a strong performance management capability.
Ensure seamless collaboration with the change team in managing the pipeline and bringing 'in-flight' projects to a successful conclusion.
Decision Quality
Negotiating with brokers and partners to achieve optimal mutual value
Make swift, strong decisions about costs and people to deliver sustainable results.
Our Must-Haves
A degree/business qualification is preferred.
A proven track record in leading, motivating, and developing a team to achieve business goals is essential.
First-class 'Excellence in Execution'.
An established business leader.
Excellent interpersonal skills, quickly establishing credibility to develop long-lasting relationships with underwriters and brokers.
Commercial acumen, contributing to the overall UK strategy and adding value beyond one's specialism.
A visible passion for schemes, partners, and the end customer.
Diversity and Flexible Working at Hiscox
At Hiscox, we care about our people. We hire the best for the job and are committed to diversity and a truly inclusive culture, which we believe drives success. We recognize that working life doesn't always need to be office-bound. As long as it's safe, we'll operate a hybrid work model to foster a healthy work-life balance, with time spent both in the office with brokers and working remotely. This approach combines structure and sociability with independence and flexibility.
This role is subject to the requirements under the Senior Manager and Certification Regime (SMCR).
Work with amazing people and be part of a unique culture
If you want to help build a brilliant future; work with amazing people; be part of a unique company culture; and, of course, enjoy great employee benefits that take care of your mental and physical wellbeing, come and join us.
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About usWe're a global, specialist insurer headquartered in Bermuda and listed on the London Stock Exchange. With 3,000 employees and 32 offices in 12 countries we're a business with lots of opportunity for people with talent, spark and lots of ambition. If you want to build a great career with a company that prioritises strong values - such as integrity and courage - where our people always pull together to do the right thing for each other and our customers, then we'd love to hear from you.