Branch Manager – General Business

Role Overview

As Branch Manager, you run the branch as a self-contained business unit — leading the sales floor, pricing and accepting risk, and keeping administrative operations disciplined so that premium income, client numbers and service standards all move in the right direction. You are the bridge between head office strategy and local execution, turning growth targets into daily activity for the sales, underwriting and support teams while holding branch costs inside budget. The position matters because a branch's capacity to win clients, write sound business and keep them on the books is what ultimately determines whether the company's underwriting premium objectives are achieved in that market.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the branch's underwritten premium target, break it into individual and team goals, track progress at regular intervals and adjust tactics where performance falls short.
• Grow the client base through prospecting, referrals, recruitment of intermediaries and retention of existing policyholders.
• Prepare and issue accurate quotations using the correct rates, terms and conditions, and make underwriting decisions within delegated authority.
• Run day-to-day branch administration, including policy documentation, record-keeping, follow-up on premium collection and adherence to internal procedures and underwriting guidelines.
• Control branch expenditure against budget, reviewing recurring costs, supplier commitments and resource use to eliminate unnecessary spend.
• Supervise and develop branch staff by setting performance targets, coaching on sales and underwriting technique, conducting appraisals and closing skill or conduct gaps.
• Resolve escalated customer complaints and service issues quickly, protecting renewal rates and the branch's standing in the local market.
• Build relationships with brokers, corporate clients and local business networks, and report branch performance and market intelligence to senior management.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in any discipline.
• Professional insurance qualification — ACII or AIIK.
• A diploma in marketing is an added advantage.
• At least five years of relevant experience, including a proven record of successfully heading a branch of an insurance company.
• Underwriting capability, with the ability to produce accurate quotations without close supervision.
• Demonstrated sales skills and a track record of meeting premium or revenue targets.
• Problem-solving and decision-making ability, including sound judgement on risk acceptance and escalated client matters.
• Relationship-building and networking skills for working with intermediaries, corporate clients and community contacts.
• Staff supervision, training and performance management experience.
• Working knowledge of insurance products, insurance practice and general management principles.
• Strong communication, interpersonal and customer service skills, with fluent IT skills for quoting, reporting and record-keeping.
• Personal attributes: integrity, reliability, transparency, professionalism, teamwork and a commitment to quality.