Business Development Associate - SME

Who we are

GIG Gulf (a Fairfax company) is part of the Gulf Insurance Group (GIG), the #1 largest regional composite insurer in the Middle East and North Africa, with presence in 12 markets including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Turkey.

GIG Group reported consolidated assets of US$ 3.83 billion and $69 million net profit for the year 2023. The majority shareholder of GIG Group is Toronto based Fairfax Financial Holding, a global leader in insurance and reinsurance with a presence in 40 markets.GIG Gulf is an ‘A’ rated regional insurer with a top 5 position in each of its markets (UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain). GIG Gulf has been present in the region for over 70 years with a strategic focus on both growth and investments and is a one stop shop offering a wide range of insurance products and services that cater to a broad variety of needs for corporates, SMEs and individual customers throughout UAE, Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar.

GIG Gulf also owns a 50% stake in GIG Saudi. Our strategic objectives and guiding principles are focused on Regional Growth, Customer Experience and Digital Transformation.GIG Gulf has created a diverse and inclusive working environment and culture with a workforce of over 800 employees, with over 60 nationalities, across 15 branches and retail shops region-wide and over 1 million customers.

GIG Gulf is a caring partner that encourages customers to achieve their goals and live an inspiring and fulfilling life. We are obsessed with customer feedback and continuously evolving to become the region’s digital insurer of reference, committed to running our operations in a responsible, sustainable way.

Job purpose

The role is responsible for developing and managing relationships with SME clients to drive business growth, achieve sales and retention targets, and promote GIG Gulf’s products and services. The incumbent will identify new business opportunities, generate and maintain a healthy sales pipeline, maximize cross-selling opportunities, and deliver exceptional customer service and post-sale support.

The role also supports portfolio retention and growth, maintains accurate sales activity reporting, assists Client Relationship Managers with client servicing initiatives, and acts as a professional ambassador for GIG Gulf in the market.

Key Responsibilities

• The job holder must be able to work on his / her own initiative working largely independently.
• The ability to work self-sufficiently although direct enquiries may be provided.
• The job holder is accountable for proactively prospecting for new clients and new business opportunities and/or new distribution channels.
• The job holder is responsible for developing and maintaining excellent relations with large, SME and/or key customers externally and internally with key stakeholders.
• The job holder will be accountable for sharing prospects and business development leads through the effective utilization of the Company’s Prospect Data Base available in the form of CRM, Quote Register, New Business Leads and Leads from Personal Lines to generate sales prospects.
• The role is expected build relationships across the insurance / business community to be able to identify and maximize sales opportunities arising with multiple clients in SME and/or more complex environments, receiving sales enquiries and responding to tender requests, converting tenders into sales of the company’s products to meet agreed annual sales targets.
• Operational & technical responsibilities:
• The job holder works under his / her own initiative and will exercise significant judgment in relation to the time allocated to specific clients in response to needs being accountable for the effective utilization of his/her time.
• The job holder is responsible for ensuring effective management and organization of sales records and ensures effective analysis of such records to supplement the sales planning process.
• The job holder is responsible for ensuring insurance premium is collected in line with the Company’s terms of business liaising with credit control to minimize outstanding debt.
• The job holder will work with the underwriting teams to ensure all enquiries are accompanied by a full and complete presentation of underwriting information, competitor’s rates/terms/conditions if available and any other commercial/political information for consideration of underwriters and/or reinsurers.

Role Requirements

• Essential:3 years UAE Insurance Experience.
• Sound knowledge of the SME products available in the market.
• Strong communication, presentation & interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrates a strong track record of achieving sales targets/objectives.
• Futuristic approach via digital solutions to foster growth opportunities.
• Desirable:UAE Driving License.
• Exposure to all lines of SME insurance requirements.
• Good network in the market with a diverse SME portfolio of their own.
• Good knowledge of both Health and Property & Casualty lines.