Travel Bonds Manager

Salary: circa £45,000
Reporting to: Head of Advantage Financial Services
Direct reports: 0
Location: Home based with occasional travel

Who you’d be working with…

The Advantage Travel Partnership is the UK’s pre-eminent business network representing travel agents and travel management companies.

Part of Advantage Travel Partnership, Advantage Financial Services Limited (AFS) is a leading wholesale insurance brokerage specialising in providing travel bonding solutions for the UK travel industry. We work with insurance brokers, travel bond consultants and travel industry accountants to assist with the placement of their client’s financial protection needs, ensuring regulatory compliance and peace of mind. Our firm is recognised for delivering excellent client service levels by being efficient and precise which enables us to maintain our strong and trusted relationships with our producers and our underwriters. 

Following a period of growth within our bond book, we are seeking an individual with experience of the travel industry, and particularly the financial protection aspect of the sector, ideally with an accountancy background, to join our team to assist in the placement of existing renewals, assist in expanding our wholesale distribution network and assist in further elevating our high standing in the financial protection market. 

What you would be doing…

This is an amazing opportunity to join a fantastic company at a very exciting time.  As Travel Bonds Manager, you will be responsible for managing and expanding our portfolio of producers within the travel industry, providing advice and support on determining the structuring of travel protection policies, as well as administer the policies on behalf of the underwriters. 

You will serve as the main point of contact for wholesale producers as well as the underwriters to ensure all financial protection applications are applied in line with travel regulations, company policy and company objectives. You will also work closely with insurers, negotiating terms and pricing, while ensuring compliance with relevant regulatory requirements. This role requires deep knowledge of the travel financial protection sector, a high level of attention to detail and strong financial acumen. 

There are two key periods in the travel financial protection industry where the negotiation and administration of policies will be critical and then quieter periods to build the wholesale network through attending events, forging and maintaining network relationships and strategic thinking with internal stakeholders and the underwriters in order to future-proof the company proposition and maintain market relevance.  

To do this, you would…

• Act as the point of contact for producers, providing expert advice and tailored bonding solutions.  
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with producers, underwriters, and other travel industry specialists.  
• Negotiate with underwriters to secure competitive terms. 
• Provide relevant advice to assist producers with their client’s financial protection placement. 
• Manage the renewal process for travel bonds, ensuring timely and accurate submissions to underwriters and regulatory bodies.  
• Prepare and submit underwriting reports.
• Expand the wholesale distribution network by developing relationships with existing and new brokers and producers in the travel industry. 
• Stay up to date with travel industry regulations, market trends, risk factors and new financial protection products to ensure competitive product offerings.  
• Achieve individual and team sales targets, contributing to the overall success of the business. 
• Hold or be working towards financial and/or insurance accreditations such as, but not limited to ACCA or ACII. (desired)
• Have strong relationships with underwriters and wholesale distribution networks in the travel financial protection industry. (desired)
• Have a good understanding of the insurance industry and the industry terminology. (desired)

To be successful in this role, you would have experience of…

• Working with travel industry regulators/trade associations financial protection and regulatory requirements.
• An underwriting or accountancy background.
• Being familiar with the travel industry, including the operations and structures of tour operators, travel agents, and industry stakeholders.
• Able to manage stakeholder relationships, identify new business opportunities and expand existing accounts. 
• Working within tight timeframes and manage multiple accounts independently.
• Working under pressure in peak bond renewal periods, namely March and September.  

And be…

• An excellent team player
• A great communicator
• A natural influencer and negotiator
• Able to work independently with a level of autonomy
• Naturally enthusiastic and committed
• Knowledgeable and aware of the business & products
• Interested in your own self-development
• An excellent planner and organiser
• Able to adapt and work flexibly
• Able to prove your right to work in the UK

What you get in return

You want to apply?  Excellent.  Here’s how…

It’s easy. All you need to do is send us your up-to-date CV. Send all details and questions to [email protected].

Due to not having a sponsorship license, we can only accept applications from people within the UK who can prove their right to work.

At Advantage, we embrace the diversity of culture, gender, physical capability and thought. We firmly believe that true innovation cannot happen without this real-life variety in our working community. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where people of all walks of life aspire to work.