Role: Area Branch Manager
Category: Management
Salary: R350 000 – R540 000 PA
Join this leading Tied insurer as an area branch manager.
The focus of this role is the sales delivery, strategic execution, people development, and regulatory compliance
Leadership and Direction
Communicate the actions needed to implement the function''s strategy and business plan within the team; explain the relationship to the broader organization''s mission, vision and values; motivate people to commit to these and to doing extraordinary things to achieve local business goals.
Functional Strategy Formation & Implementation
Develop tactical plans for optimizing resources and assets being managed within Tied Financial Advisory Services to meet business growth requirements.
Business Planning
Contribute to the development of annual and longer-term business plans; forecast performance against business key performance indicators; develop business cases for key activities/projects; and estimate the financial and human resources required to deliver performance targets.
Meet growth objectives in all distribution channels in the Life and Wealth, Personal lines and Commercial Lines channel
Stakeholder Engagement (Internal and External)
Develop stakeholder engagement through identifying stakeholders, finding out their needs/issues/concerns and reacting to these to support the communication of business information and decisions.
Promoting Customer Focus
Manage, monitor and ensure that exceptional customer service is delivered across the distribution channels in the Life and Wealth, Personal lines and Commercial Lines.
Organizational Capability Building
Use the organization''s formal development framework to identify the team''s individual development needs. Plan and implement actions, including continuing professional development specified by professional or regulatory institutions, to build their professional capabilities. Provide informal training or coaching to others throughout the organization in own area of expertise to enable others to improve performance and fulfill personal potential.
Operational Compliance
Monitor and review performance and behaviors within area of responsibility to identify and resolve non-compliance with the organization''s policies and relevant regulatory codes and codes of conduct.
Performance Management
Manage and report on the performance of a substantial, diverse team; set appropriate performance objectives for direct reports or project / account team members and hold them accountable for achieving these; take appropriate corrective action where necessary to ensure the achievement of team / personal objectives.
Personal Capability Building
Act as subject matter expert in an area of technology, policy, regulation, operational management for the team. Maintain external accreditations and in depth understanding of current and emerging external regulation and industry best practices through continuing professional development, attending conferences, and reading specialist media.
Sales Management
Sell complex, often customized products and services to significant customers and/or manage a significant sales department.
Strategic Mindset
Sees ahead to future possibilities and translates them into breakthrough strategies. For example, provides a clear picture of the organization''s vision and strategy and what the team needs to do to realize them. Develops longer-term strategies that capitalize on the organization''s distinct capabilities and emerging trends in the market.
Business Insight
Applies knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization''s goals. For example, ensures that the team understands and discusses relevant industry changes. Gives strong messages about how people''s efforts make a difference to the broader organization.
Manages Complexity
Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. For example, asks questions to encourage others to think differently and enrich their analyses of complex situations. Accurately defines the key elements of complex, ambiguous situations.
Drives Results
Consistently achieves results, even under tough circumstances. For example, creates a feeling of energy and an emphasis on excellence in the team, using productive behaviors. Builds a strong sense of urgency to exceed goals and beat deadlines. Ensures that the team pushes through obstacles and establishes a superior track record.
Cultivates Innovation
Creates new and better ways for the organization to be successful. For example, offers creative ideas, finds unique connections between previously unrelated elements. Actively encourages and supports others'' creativity; builds upon and strengthens new solutions in a positive and collaborative manner.
Collaborates
Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. For example, enhances and improves collaboration among coworkers and with external partners. Solicits ideas from diverse colleagues, leaves space in conversation for them; gives credit well and generously.
Builds Effective Teams
Builds strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals. For example, provides rich and targeted insight on establishing strong teams with the right mix of abilities and perspectives.
Conveys team members'' roles and goals in a compelling way that builds excitement.
Communicates Effectively
Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. For example, tailors communication content and style to the needs of others. Pays attention to others'' input and perspectives, asks questions, and summarizes to confirm understanding.
Plans and Aligns
Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals. For example, stays focused on plans and improvises in response to changes, including risks and contingencies. Aligns own team''s work with other workgroups''. Looks ahead to determine and obtain needed resources to complete plans.
Customer Focus
Builds strong customer relationships and delivers customer-centric solutions. For example, solicits customer feedback and data; conveys a clear understanding of the level of service the team is providing; takes action when standards are not met by team; aligns business process with customer needs.
Interpersonal Savvy
Relates openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people. For example, understands the nuances of group interpersonal dynamics and leverages this knowledge to achieve results. Investigates others'' desires and concerns; strengthens connections by honoring people''s priorities and passions.
Persuades
Uses compelling arguments to gain the support and commitment of others. For example, creates enthusiasm by building a compelling case, sharing it often and energetically to secure wide support. Brings tough internal and external negotiations to successful closure, earning some valuable wins.
Financial Acumen
Interprets and applies key financial indicators to make better business decisions.
For example, finds and uses the best financial and quantitative indicators to gain an in-depth understanding of organizational performance. Creates an environment and tools for people to take ownership of financial decisions.
Being Resilient
Rebounds from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations. For example, shows appropriate stability and resilience in crises; puts the situation in perspective, helps the organization stay focused; helps the organization move forward. Stays persistent in the face of adversity or obstacles; urges others to adopt a similar approach.
Builds Networks
Effectively builds formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization. For example, makes connections to help people build their own networks; offers insights about internal and external contacts. Leverages networks to remain aware of industry developments and widen own sphere of influence.
Instills Trust
Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. For example, builds a team with an exemplary reputation for reliability and for meeting even difficult commitments. Builds trust among people and groups by ensuring honest and up-front communication; maintains transparency.
Situational Adaptability
Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations. For example, fosters flexibility in the organization; initiates change in response to external cues. Adapts leadership style for different situations and challenges. Builds the structures and culture that allow for some organizational flexibility.
Nimble Learning
Learns through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder. For example, encourages and conveys the value of exploration and learning; reinforces the value of experimenting. Takes steps to ensure that the organization is keeping track of and communicating lessons learned.
Commercial and Business Acumen
Apply understanding of the business environment and objectives to develop solutions without supervision, while also providing technical assistance when necessary.
General Business Management principles, integrated understanding of the Short term insurance and Commercial insurance industry
Negotiates Tactically
Work independently and provide technical guidance when required to facilitate the commercial details of an opportunity such that both parties are satisfied with the value gained.
Maximizes the opportunity; Negotiates on value; Understands evolving objectives.
Action Planning
Use comprehensive knowledge and skills and provide guidance and training to others to develop appropriate plans or perform necessary actions based on recommendations and requirements.
Account/Client Management
Work independently and provide technical guidance when required on managing client accounts in a way that provides benefits both for the organization and its clients.
Financial analysis
Apply comprehensive knowledge / skill, and provide guidance and training to others client portfolio analysis
Presentation skills
Use comprehensive knowledge and skills to communicate with other people independently and provide guidance and training to others on speaking in a clear, concise and compelling manner.
Strategic Planning
Engages in strategic planning with guidance.
Review and Reporting
Work independently and provide technical guidance when required on reviewing and creating relevant, lucid and effective reports.
Analytical Processes
Work independently and provide technical guidance when required on supporting research schedules using appropriate analytical processes and procedures.
Computer skills
Support business processes independently by understanding and effectively using standard office equipment and standard software packages, while providing technical guidance as needed.
Microsoft Office Suite
Policy and Regulation
Provide guidance and training to others while interpreting and applying comprehensive knowledge of laws, regulations and policies in area of expertise.
Knowledge of the Insurance Act, Insurance principles , Business processes, New business development, Channel distribution, start up strategies, Compliance & regulatory risk management
Verbal Communication
Apply comprehensive knowledge and provide guidance and training to others to use clear and effective verbal communications skills to express ideas, request actions and formulate plans or policies.
General Education
Grade 12/ SAQA Accredited Equivalent
FAIS accredited NQF5 (120 credits)
KI Regulatory Examination
Full product holding accreditation
CFP (Advantageous)
Business Related Degree (Advantageous)
Management and/or coaching qualification (Advantageous)
General Experience
Minimum 5 or more years'' experience managing a sales-driven team or multi-teams in the financial sector (Essential)
Experience within life and wealth long- term insurance industry
Previous Tied Agent Experience (Advantageous)
Managerial Experience
Minimum 3 or more years'' managerial experience within a financial services environment
