Davies
Operations Manager Niche and DER
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Operations Manager Niche and DER
Department: Claims Management
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Preston
Reporting To: Bethany Lundie
Description
Claims UK & Ireland | Niche & DER Division
Remote / Hybrid
Reporting to: Operations Director
Lead Operational Excellence. Drive Performance. Shape the Future.
Are you a proven insurance operations leader with a passion for people, performance, and continuous improvement?
We're looking for an experienced Operations Manager to lead a high-performing team within our Niche and DER business. This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping operational strategy, delivering outstanding customer outcomes, and driving sustainable growth across a dynamic and fast-paced claims environment.
You'll lead a team of Team Managers and their wider operational teams, ensuring service excellence, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and a culture where people can thrive.
What will your day look like:
- Lead, mentor, and coach Team Managers across remote and hybrid locations.
- Create a culture built on accountability, engagement, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Support performance management through regular coaching, feedback, and development planning.
- Identify and nurture future talent, ensuring succession plans are in place across the division.
- Deliver key operational and telephony KPIs across the business.
- Develop resourceful and innovative plans to optimise performance, including surge planning and capacity management.
- Partner with the Resource Planning Manager to develop recruitment and workforce strategies aligned to future growth.
- Work closely with recruitment teams to maintain strong candidate pipelines and workforce readiness.
- Identify opportunities to streamline processes from policy inception through to claim resolution.
- Analyse operational data, trends, and performance metrics to identify inefficiencies and drive improvement initiatives.
- Partner with cross-functional teams across Niche and DER to implement automation and process enhancements.
- Champion a culture of innovation and operational excellence.
- Maintain robust compliance standards across all operational activity.
- Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, company policies, and industry best practice.
- Stay informed of market and legislative changes, implementing operational adjustments where required.
- Conduct regular audits and reviews to mitigate operational risk and maintain quality standards.
- Collaborate with customer service teams to effectively manage customer enquiries, complaints, and escalations.
- Champion initiatives that enhance the customer journey and overall experience.
- Analyse customer feedback, NPS, and customer outcome measures to implement meaningful improvement plans.
- Drive market-leading customer satisfaction and Trustpilot performance.
- Support the delivery of strategic business objectives and operational plans.
- Manage departmental budgets effectively and deliver against financial targets.
- Identify emerging market trends, growth opportunities, and competitive threats.
- Provide operational insight that supports business development and revenue growth.
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Knowledge and Abilities:
- Proven success in an insurance operations leadership role.
- Strong experience within Property, Niche, or related insurance sectors.
- Demonstrable track record of driving operational improvements and delivering business results.
- Experience leading large teams through Team Managers in remote and hybrid environments.
- Strong understanding of insurance products, underwriting principles, and claims processes.
- Knowledge of insurance regulation, compliance frameworks, and risk management practices.
- Inspirational leadership style with the ability to motivate and influence teams at all levels.
- Strong commercial awareness and strategic thinking capability.
- Excellent decision-making, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.
- Data-driven approach with strong analytical and reporting capabilities.
- Outstanding communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences.
- Adaptable, resilient, and comfortable leading change initiatives.
- Commitment to maintaining the highest ethical and professional standards.
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Benefits
Career & Purpose
- Davies Innovation Lab
- Leadership training programme
- Funding for professional qualifications
- Thrive at Davies; learning opportunities
Environmental & Social
- The Davies Foundation
- Local charity funding
- Pennies To Heaven
- Employee Resource Groups
- Employee volunteering programme
Financial Health
- Pension, 5% employee and 5% employer contribution
- My Choices at Davies provides; High Street discounts and Financial wellbeing hub
- Life assurance: x4
- Refer a Friend
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Lease car salary sacrifice
- Davies Incentive Plan
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
Mental, Physical & Emotional Wellbeing
- Wellbeing centre; move, munch, money & mind focus
- Discounts with 100's of UK retailers
- EAP; 24/7 confidential helpline
- 25 days holiday, increases to 26 days after 5 years and 27 after 10 years
- Flexible working
- Dress for your day
- Inclusive employment policies e.g., Menopause, fostering friendly, fertility, sabbatical policy, and baby loss and miscarriage
- Flexible benefits include; holiday purchase plan and an opportunity to purchase a health cash plan and BUPA dental plan
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