Senior Business Leader

About the Role

2-year fixed term contract pathway to self-employment Bespoke leadership development programme based in/around Cumbria Build the skills, confidence and commercial understanding to lead your own £multi-million insurance business. Join NFU Mutual’s Future Senior Business Leaders programme and build the skills, confidence and commercial understanding to run your own £multi-million insurance business. This 2-year fixed term contract offers structured learning, mentoring, business coaching and hands‑on agency experience, preparing you for a future self‑employed Agent appointment in Cumbria.

You’ll be supported to make the transition from employed senior business professional to self‑employed strategic leader, working with like‑minded professionals to lead an established NFU Mutual agency within our trusted network.

What can you expect when you join our Future Senior Business Leaders programme?

• A dedicated leadership development plan, including technical product training, industry-recognised qualifications and hands‑on agency placements.
• Access to senior mentors and top‑performing self‑employed Agents across the NFU Mutual Agency Network.
• Exposure to NFU Mutual’s core business areas, helping you understand how a leading UK insurance business operates.
• Involvement in key regional projects from day one, giving you the opportunity to contribute while building your future capability as an Agent of NFU Mutual.

This role falls under Insurance Distribution Directive requirements, and as a result, role holders will be required to demonstrate ongoing Continuous Professional Development in role, along with undergoing regular re‑screening to show that they are of “Good Repute”. Further information can be found in the FCA Handbook.

We’re looking for a high‑potential business professional with the ambition, commercial judgement and drive to be ready to lead a £multi‑million NFU Mutual agency within two years. Previous insurance experience and/or a connection to farming and agriculture would be helpful, but not essential. What matters most is your potential, attitude and commitment to growing into broader business leadership. More specifically, you’ll need to demonstrate:

• A strong commercial track record, ideally gained in B2B sales, business development or corporate account growth.
• People leadership experience, with evidence of motivating, developing and getting results through others.
• Clear commercial judgement, including the ability to interpret financial information and make robust business decisions.
• A strategic mindset to spot opportunities, set clear priorities and turn business goals into practical action.
• A proactive approach, with the motivation to take ownership of your own development and future performance.

This is a long‑term development opportunity for someone who wants to become embedded in the local community. As the strongest future Agent opportunities are expected to be in Cumbria and the Lakes, you’ll need to show a clear and realistic commitment to living and working in the area, anywhere from Kendal to Carlisle.

At NFU Mutual, we support an inclusive workplace and value all the differences that make us unique. We celebrate the creativity and innovation that comes from diverse perspectives and experiences and share a common vision of doing the right thing for our customers and employees. We recognise that some candidates may experience barriers during the recruitment process. So, we encourage candidates to discuss any adjustments or accommodations they need to be the best they can be throughout our recruitment process.

We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, a Race at Work and Women in Finance Charter signatory and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, regardless of age, ethnicity, disability, neurodiversity, gender, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background.

When you join our team, you can expect a supportive culture and an attractive range of rewards and benefits including:

• Salary – Up £60,000 per annum
• Company car / cash allowance
• Contributory pension scheme, up to 20%, including your 8% contribution
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