Insurance and Commercial Services Manager

Essential Qualifications and Skills

• A minimum NFQ Level 8 qualification in a related discipline such as Risk Management, Insurance, Financial Services, Business, Accounting or Law.

• A minimum of five years’ experience of service management and delivery at a senior level in a university campus or similar environment.

• Experience of managing and controlling budgets.

• Experience of managing direct staff, contractors and outsourced service providers in the delivery of a range of services.

• Strong analytical and decision-making skills.

• Experience of preparing reports and presenting for senior management, Committees or Boards.

• ICT competence.

• A strong track record in and capability for:

Leadership, team building and team participation.

Customer service.

Negotiating and influencing skills.

Communication and interpersonal skills.

High attention to detail.

Commercial and Financial acumen.

Desirable Experience and Competencies

Desirable Experience

• A postgraduate management or other relevant postgraduate qualification.

• Valid membership of a relevant recognised professional institution (i.e. Insurance, Risk, Business, Accountancy, Law).

• IT skills relevant to the requirements of the post.

• Practical experience in a higher education environment, a strong customer service perspective and a good understanding of the insurance industry.

• An understanding of the Public Spending Code and EU Public Procurement requirements.

• Capacity to anticipate and resolve potential problems and to develop innovative/creative solutions to multi-faceted problems.

Overview of the Role

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) is a multi-campus technological university in the West and Northwest of Ireland that delivers a rich combination of academic and research excellence, quality of life and opportunity. Serving a diverse group of learners, staff, communities, and organisations from our region and further afield.

The University offers 600+ academic programmes from pre-degree to doctoral level to a student population of 32,000+ students supported by over 2,900 staff.

The University operates nine campuses across Donegal, Sligo, Mayo and Galway and has approximately 152,000 sqm/15 Ha. of buildings on approximately 115 hectares.

The University seeks applications from candidates for the post of Insurance and Commercial Services Manager to join the Operations team.

The appointee will have responsibility for Insurance, the development of commercial services and will have responsibility for other university wide initiatives and activities contributing to university wide strategies.

This position presents an exciting opportunity for a dynamic, proactive individual, with experience in Insurance, Risk management and commercial services to make a significant contribution to the University’s plans.

The position can be based in any of the University’s campuses and may from time to time have to travel to other campuses as required. The post-holder will liaise with and work collaboratively with university-wide teams and participate in cross-University working groups and initiatives.

The manager will:

• Have ownership of all Insurance matters including managing the full insurance portfolio, annual insurance renewal processes, claims management, etc.

• Work closely with colleagues in the development of strategies relating to Insurance, Health & Safety and Risk Management amongst others.

• Liaise closely with all relevant stakeholders relating to Insurance and Risk Management matters.

• Have ownership for the strategic development and operational management of the University’s commercial activities.

• Develop and implement a commercial services strategy that aligns with the strategic plan.

• Manage a portfolio of contracts, concessions and in-house operations to grow commercial revenue while maintaining high standards of service and compliance.

• Plan and manage operational budgets.

• Devise and implement a communications plan in the designated areas.

• Carry out regular reviews of service areas to ensure that they are fit for purpose, implementing change processes to drive improvement.

• Evaluate existing procedures and processes and implement improvements in line with best practice.

• Develop and implement appropriate customer consultation and feedback mechanisms.

Duties and Responsibilities

The main duties and responsibilities of the role will include but not be limited to the following:

Act as the principal point of expertise on insurance matters while also developing the commercial operations of the University, to meet the needs of the staff, students and visitors.

Insurance Programme Management

• Manage the University’s full insurance portfolio and ensure adequate cover (including property, contents, travel, etc).

• Lead the annual insurance renewal process, liaise closely with the broker and negotiate the most economically advantageous outcome and sufficient coverage.

• Maintain relationships with insurance brokers, underwriters, government agencies and colleagues as required.

• Advise procurement, research, legal and faculties on insurance requirements as requested.

• Assist with any training and upskilling needs identified across the University in the insurance area.

• Ensure key insurance issues are communicated in a timely and effective manner to the relevant stakeholders.

Claims Management

• Manage the claims process for damage, liability or other insured losses from end-to-end.

• Liaise closely with Health and Safety (H&S), Estates and other functions as required in relation to investigations.

• Maintain accurate records in relation to cases.

• Work closely with H&S to assess trends and inform risk mitigation strategies and reduce exposure.

Risk Management

• Work with the Health and Safety, Estates and Faculties to identify, assess and mitigate insurable risks.

• Contribute to Risk Management exercises.

• Provide expert guidance on insurance implications for University activities to the Governing Body, management, staff and students.

Budgeting, Governance and Compliance

• Ensure the insurance arrangements comply with legislation, sectoral guidelines and University policy.

• Prepare reports as required.

• Support internal and external audit purposes relating to commercial activity, risk and insurance.

• Maintain records pertaining to insurance.

• Manage budgets as delegated by the Chief Operations Officer.

Commercial Services

• Lead the team regarding the management of in-house catering and outsourced contracts/concessions.

• Manage relationships with catering and contractors including contract negotiations, KPI’s etc.

• Develop a coherent procurement strategy in conjunction with the procurement function as regards commercial services.

• Implement change processes arising.

• Ensure procurement processes carried out are in line with public procurement regulations.

• Develop and implement a commercial services strategy that aligns with the strategic plan.

• Identify under-utilised institutional assets/spaces with commercial potential and develop proposals for use.

• Ensure the commercial offering reflects student and staff needs while meeting value-for-money.

• Develop and grow the commercial activity of the University in a responsible and sustainable manner.

• Ensure commercial operations comply with relevant legislations (e.g. Food Safety, Health and Safety etc.)

As the business needs continue to expand and evolve, it is likely that flexibility regarding the allocation of specific duties will be necessary. Accordingly, the list of duties specified above is not intended to be exclusive or restrictive; duties may be added or withdrawn after consultation with the post holder.

The appointee may also be required as a member of the Operations team to carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required by the Chief Operations Officer within the general scope and level of the post, or other duties as required by the University.

Salary

Senior Management Grade Salary Scale (€90,005 – €115,759)*

*Candidates external to the sector may be appointed up to the 3rd Point €96,318 of the Salary Scale in accordance with University policy.

Hours of Work

35 Hours per week