Commercial Director, General Manager jobs

Working hours: Full time

Duration: Permanent

Location: Sydney or Melbourne

Job Ref: 205334

About the role

Ansvar Australia, who are proudly part of the Benefact Group, is seeking an exceptional insurance leader to join our Executive Leadership Team as General Manager – Corporate and Commercial.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future direction of a respected specialist insurer with a strong purpose and ambitious growth agenda. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you will play a key role in influencing enterprise-wide strategy and leading a significant portfolio that is central to Ansvar's long-term success.

Beyond leading a national business, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a values-led organisation that balances commercial success with social purpose. This role offers genuine executive influence, broad leadership accountability and the chance to help shape the future of Ansvar, our people, customers and communities.

The Opportunity

As General Manager – Corporate and Commercial, you will be accountable for delivering profitable growth through a high-performing, market-facing Corporate and Commercial insurance proposition across direct and intermediary channels, while helping strengthen Ansvar's position as the leading specialist insurer in the sectors and communities we serve.

You will lead distribution strategy, champion underwriting excellence, strengthen service and operational effectiveness, and build enduring relationships with brokers, customers and industry partners. As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will contribute to the delivery of our Corporate Plan, balancing sustainable growth, underwriting discipline and risk management while fostering a high-performing and engaged culture.

What you'll be doing

• Lead and execute Corporate and Commercial distribution strategy to deliver profitable new business growth, customer retention and sustainable portfolio performance.

• Build and deepen relationships with brokers, major clients, distribution partners and niche market stakeholders.

• Drive high-quality underwriting execution aligned to Ansvar’s risk appetite, technical standards and governance frameworks.

• Provide Executive Leadership Team oversight of Enterprise Risk Management strategy, service delivery, governance and capability.

• Deliver outstanding service and operational effectiveness across Corporate and Commercial portfolios.

• Lead, coach and develop senior leaders and teams, building capability, accountability and a strong values-based culture.

• Represent Ansvar with credibility in the market and contribute to Group initiatives, industry engagement and strategic growth opportunities.

About you

You'll be an accomplished senior insurance leader with extensive experience leading commercial underwriting portfolios, distribution strategy and business performance. You have a proven track record of delivering sustainable growth, leading large and diverse teams, and influencing outcomes across complex stakeholder environments. Recognised for your leadership credibility and commercial acumen, you are equally comfortable shaping strategy, driving execution and building strong relationships with brokers, customers and industry partners.

You are known for developing high-performing teams, fostering strong cultures and leading through change. As a collaborative and purpose-driven leader, you are motivated by the opportunity to contribute at an enterprise level and help shape the future of a values-led organisation committed to achieving commercial success while making a positive impact in the communities it serves.

What you will bring

• At least 15 years’ experience in the insurance industry.

• 10+ years’ experience in a senior leadership role, ideally leading large teams.

• 10+ years’ experience in a market-facing sales, distribution or business development function, including broker and major client engagement.

• Proven underwriting capability in commercial general insurance, including property and liability classes.

• Demonstrated success developing and executing strategies that deliver profitable and sustainable business growth.

• Strong commercial acumen, negotiation skills and understanding of the broader insurance value chain.

• Highly effective communication, stakeholder management and people leadership capability.

• A degree qualification and recognised ANZIIF insurance qualification, or equivalent, will be highly regarded.

What we offer

• A competitive salary - let's discuss it

• Flexible, Hybrid working in modern CBD offices

• Generous industry performance bonuses

• Generous annual leave plus birthday, well-being, paid parental, volunteering & more

• Tailored professional development programs

• Recognised as the Best Australian Workplace for Fathers (2024)

• Good Company Award Winner (2025)

About us

At Ansvar Insurance, we are transforming the way we operate. As specialists in the Care, Community, Faith, Education, and Heritage sectors, we are modernising our business while staying true to our purpose - protecting those who serve others.

Benefact Group is a unique international financial services Group made up of over 30 businesses. We believe it’s essential to attract, empower, grow and reward talented people, offering fantastic opportunities for career and personal development. Our giving ethos, 135-year history and the diversity of what we do, has enabled us to build a culture of kindness, great ambition, and of passionate people driven to do better and be better.

At Benefact Group, we are committed to creating an inclusive culture and building an environment where each and every one of us feels valued and respected. We are a community made up of people with a range of different backgrounds, abilities, perspectives, beliefs and interests and we value the strength this brings to us as a Group. We welcome applications from everyone.

If you need any additional support during the recruitment process, then please let us know.