Associate II, Business Development – Group Life & Pensions

ICEA Lion, one of East Africa's leading insurance and financial services groups, is seeking a driven and commercially astute Business Development Associate II to join its Group Life & Pensions division. This is a mid-level role designed for an insurance professional who thrives in a consultative sales environment and is passionate about growing revenue through strategic relationships with brokers, intermediaries, and direct clients.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in expanding ICEA Lion's market share within the Group Life and Pensions segment — generating new business, delivering competitive quotations, and ensuring an exceptional client experience throughout the entire business development cycle.

• Generate revenue from new and existing brokers, intermediaries, and direct clients across the Group Life & Pensions portfolio.
• Prepare and deliver competitive quotations and proposals for prospects, intermediaries, and tender submissions.
• Conduct consultative needs assessments to recommend the most suitable cover solutions for individual client circumstances.
• Schedule and lead client meetings and formal presentations to prospective customers and business partners.
• Process all documentation related to new business acquisition in a timely and accurate manner.
• Build and sustain strong working relationships with brokers, business partners, and existing clients to drive retention and cross-sell opportunities.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of market conditions, competitor products, and industry trends to reinforce credibility with clients.
• Respond promptly to client queries and complaints, ensuring a consistently high standard of customer service.
• Gather and report customer feedback, highlighting operational and intellectual issues to management.
• Attend compliance and servicing meetings as directed by line managers.
• Provide regular market intelligence and competitor insights to management.
• Accurately maintain and update the business pipeline database and submit weekly activity reports.
• Ensure strict adherence to the business development operational manual, including the Code of Ethics.
• Manage intermediary and business partner social forums to strengthen relationships and recognise top performers.
• Coordinate exhibition stands and corporate sponsorship activations.
• Contribute to process improvement initiatives and support automation of business development functions.
• Identify emerging broker and customer needs to help shape new business opportunities in collaboration with business development leadership.
• Coach and train Executive Trainees, Business Development Assistants, and intermediary partners.

• Demonstrate at least four (4) years of post-qualification experience in a Life Assurance and Pensions Business Development or sales function.
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding revenue targets within the insurance or financial services sector.
• Ability to prepare technically sound, competitive insurance quotations and comprehensive client proposals independently.
• Skilled at building and managing long-term relationships with brokers, intermediaries, and corporate clients.
• Competent in delivering persuasive presentations to C-suite and procurement decision-makers.
• Strong analytical capability to interpret market data, customer needs, and competitor positioning.
• Proficient in CRM or pipeline management tools with ability to produce accurate weekly and monthly activity reports.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; Kiswahili is an asset.
• Working knowledge of Kenyan insurance regulatory requirements and IRA guidelines.
• Progress toward ACII, FCII, or equivalent professional insurance qualification is a distinct advantage.

ICEA Lion offers a competitive remuneration package commensurate with experience within the Kenyan insurance market. The estimated monthly gross salary for this role ranges between KES 120,000 and KES 180,000, depending on qualifications and experience. Additional benefits typically associated with this level at ICEA Lion include performance-based incentives, medical cover, and professional development support. Specific package details will be confirmed during the selection process.

Ideal candidate: You are a self-motivated insurance professional with a minimum of four years in Group Life & Pensions business development or sales. You understand the broker distribution model, can hold your own in technical product conversations, and are comfortable managing a pipeline while also nurturing long-term client relationships. You are working towards or already hold a professional insurance qualification (ACII/FCII) and hold a relevant bachelor's degree.

Do not apply if: You have fewer than four years of relevant insurance experience, have no background in life assurance or pensions products, or are seeking a purely administrative role. This position requires active client-facing sales and relationship management responsibilities.

• Prepare an updated CV and a concise cover letter highlighting your Group Life & Pensions business development experience and key achievements.
• Submit your application through the ICEA Lion Group official careers portal or the job platform where this vacancy is listed.
• Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an initial screening interview followed by a formal panel interview.
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. If you do not hear from ICEA Lion within four weeks of the closing date, consider your application unsuccessful.