Business Development Manager

Reporting to the Head of Cooperatives, the Business Development Manager – Cooperatives role will spearhead growth of insurance business through cooperatives and SACCOs by identifying opportunities, developing strategic partnerships, driving sales, expanding distribution channels, and building strong relationships that increase penetration of insurance products within the cooperative movement.

• Develop and implement business development strategies targeting cooperatives, SACCOs, farmers’ associations, trade unions, and microfinance institutions.

• Prospect, pitch, and onboard new cooperative societies to distribute insurance products (life, health, general, microinsurance).

• Achieve 100% set sales targets, premium growth, and market share within the cooperative segment.

• Develop and implement sales strategies and action plans to grow premiums and uptake in the cooperative segment.

• Monitor sales pipelines and accounts performance to ensure consistent revenue growth.

• Monitor business performance of cooperative accounts and recommend improvements.

• Promote a full range of insurance solutions (life, General, health, crop/ livestock, asset Management)

• Facilitate proposal submissions, member enrollments, underwriting requirements and insurance of policies for cooperative groups.

• Monitor policy renews and develop retention strategies to maintain long-term partnerships and 90% retention rate within cooperatives.

• Train cooperative leaders and field officers to drive cooperative -based sales.

• Ensure timely and accurate quotations within the turnaround times

• Build and maintain strong relationships with cooperative leadership, boards, marketing managers, and key influencers.

• Conduct regular visits, service meetings, and feedback sessions with SACCOs & cooperatives.

• Resolve client issues, claims concerns, and service gaps promptly to enhance satisfaction and retention.

• Coordinate training for cooperative staff, agents, and members on insurance products and benefits.

• Work with underwriting, actuarial, and product teams to design tailor-made insurance solutions for cooperatives (group life, General, Savings crop/livestock insurance, health schemes, etc.).

• Identify unique risks and insurance needs of cooperative members and recommend product and service modifications to give CIC a competitive advantage.

• Develop agency, broker, and micro-agent networks within cooperatives.

• Pursue partnerships with federations like national cooperative unions, apex bodies, farmers’ unions, microfinance networks.

• Drive digital and mobile insurance solutions for cooperative members.

• Prepare periodic sales reports, pipeline updates, forecasts, and performance analysis.

• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements of the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), cooperative acts, and company policies.

• Maintain accurate documentation, contracts, and service level agreements with cooperatives.

• Constantly updating the co-operative customers on company processes and procedures

• Support internal and external audits by providing necessary documentation.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing or  any related field

• Diploma in Insurance

• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience, with at least 2 years at Middle leadership level

• Strong sales and negotiation skills.

• Understanding of cooperative business models and microfinance structures.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to analyze data, prepare proposals, and develop business strategies.

• High integrity, self-driven, goal-oriented, and able to work with minimal supervision