Snr BDM & Key Account Manager: Pet Insurance & Strategic Channels at Liquid Thought

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

13 Sep, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

15 Jun, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Business Development, Key Account Management, Strategic Partnerships, Commercial Negotiation, Sales Forecasting, Stakeholder Management, Pet Insurance Expertise, Insurance Distribution, CRM Management, Market Analysis, Go-To-Market Strategy, Revenue Growth, Contract Negotiation, Channel Sales, Product Bundling, Cross-Functional Leadership

Industry

IT Services and IT Consulting

Description

Snr Business Development Manager & Key Account Manager: Pet Insurance & Strategic Channels Our client is a well-established and respected insurance provider known for putting customers first and delivering innovative, accessible solutions that help people live life on their own terms. With a strong culture built on agile values and a genuine commitment to employee growth, our client offers a dynamic environment where ambitious professionals can build long-term, rewarding careers. About the Opportunity This is a high-impact, senior-level role responsible for shaping a national distribution strategy across two key areas: Pet insurance: a fast-growing product category with significant market potential Short-term insurance (STI) products The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in forging long-term partnerships, driving commercial innovation, and positioning our client's insurance solutions as best-in-class within their respective markets. The Role Our client is looking for an experienced, commercially astute Senior Business Development Manager & Key Account Manager to accelerate growth of their pet insurance portfolio and expand their short-term insurance offering through strategic partner networks across the country. This role calls for a strategic thinker with strong relationship-building capabilities, deep commercial acumen, and solid experience spanning insurance and FMCG sectors. You will lead national business development efforts, manage high-value key accounts, and ensure strong, sustainable partnership performance across multiple distribution channels. Key Responsibilities Strategic Business Development Identify, pursue, and secure new business opportunities to grow pet insurance market share across veterinary networks, retail partners, breeders, shelters and animal welfare organisations, digital and affinity channels, strategic channel networks, partner-facing sales teams, and strategic industry alliances Develop compelling business cases, proposals, and go-to-market strategies for new partnerships Lead national negotiations through to contract finalisation, securing multi-year agreements Key Account Management Act as the senior relationship lead for major partners across veterinary, retail, digital, and strategic channel partnerships Build and nurture long-term relationships with partner principals, channel leads, and executive stakeholders Develop and execute joint business plans that drive revenue growth, policy growth, and uptake of value-added products Monitor account performance, proactively identify risks, and implement corrective actions to sustain growth Pet Insurance Growth & Channel Expansion Own end-to-end commercial performance for the pet insurance product line Design and roll out partner-specific sales strategies, training programmes, and product bundling initiatives Manage partner onboarding, training, and ongoing business support Use customer and partner insights to inform product enhancements, underwriting decisions, and digital improvements Sales Strategy, Forecasting & Reporting Lead annual sales planning, revenue forecasting, and performance management Track key performance indicators across channels and prepare monthly reports for executive stakeholders Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimise acquisition, retention, and channel performance Maintain CRM accuracy, pipeline visibility, and high-quality partner documentation Cross-Functional Leadership Partner closely with Product, Actuarial, Underwriting, Claims, Marketing, and Operations teams to support channel needs Collaborate with marketing on co-branded campaigns, partner activations, and consumer education initiatives Represent the business at conferences, partner events, and industry forums Role Requirements We are specifically looking for CVs that clearly demonstrate strong expertise within the Pet industry — candidates must be able to speak to, and reflect, a deep understanding of the Pet landscape in South Africa. Key focus areas: 80% Business Development Management (Pet focus): Proven experience driving growth within the Pet space, including ground-breaking Pet initiatives and similar value-added pet offerings 20% Relationship & Partnership Building: Strong capability in building, nurturing, and expanding strategic partnerships within the Pet ecosystem Experience required: 5–10 years in VAPS (Value-Added Products and Services), with current and demonstrable focus on Pet-related products or services What You'll Need Qualification: NQF Level 7 or equivalent in Business, Marketing, Commerce, or a related field Experience: 7+ years' experience in Business Development, Key Account Management, or a commercial role Proven experience in insurance distribution, ideally within personal lines Experience working with strategic distribution partners, particularly within insurance or value-added product environments Strong commercial negotiation skills with a demonstrated track record of securing and growing national partnerships Excellent stakeholder management, presentation, and communication skills Willingness and ability to travel nationally while managing multiple high-value accounts simultaneously Advantageous: Experience specifically within pet insurance Understanding of channel sales processes and related compliance requirements Experience launching or scaling new insurance products or distribution channels Strong data orientation and CRM management proficiency A demonstrated track record of securing high-value accounts (a portfolio of evidence may be requested) Key Competencies Strategic commercial thinking Strong relationship-building and stakeholder influence High-level negotiation and deal-closing ability Results-oriented with strong accountability Analytical, data-driven decision making Excellent planning and organisational skills Strong communication and executive presence Our client is committed to transformation and embracing diversity, fostering a multicultural workplace reflective of the demographics of South African society.

Responsibilities

Lead the national distribution strategy for pet and short-term insurance by securing new partnerships across veterinary and retail networks. Manage high-value key accounts and drive commercial performance through joint business plans and sales strategies.