Business Development Manager – Bancassurance & Alternative Channels

Turaco is a micro-insurtech company focused on transforming healthcare financing in emerging markets. It offers simple, affordable health and life insurance to low-income individuals through partnerships with leading businesses in Kenya and Uganda, aiming to provide a financial safety net.

The Business Development Manager for Bancassurance & Alternative Channels will play a crucial role in accelerating Turaco's expansion in Kenya by identifying and securing new distribution partnerships. This involves developing innovative embedded insurance opportunities and achieving significant growth in Gross Written Premium. The ideal candidate is a proactive individual who excels at building senior-level relationships, negotiating complex partnerships, and converting opportunities into sustainable revenue streams. Success in this role will be measured by the number of strategic partnerships originated and signed, the new-business GWP generated against targets, the quality and conversion rate of the sales pipeline, the speed of converting prospects into active partners, and the overall revenue contribution and growth potential of acquired partnerships, alongside effective commercial execution and cross-functional collaboration.

1. Identify, prospect, and acquire new partners across various financial institutions and digital channels, including banks, SACCOs, MFIs, fintechs, and mobile network operators.
2. Cultivate relationships with senior decision-makers, such as CEOs, Managing Directors, and Commercial Leaders.
3. Manage the entire business development cycle, from initial prospecting and pitching to negotiation, contracting, and commercial launch.
4. Develop a robust pipeline of high-value opportunities aligned with Turaco's growth objectives.
5. Achieve and exceed assigned new-business Gross Written Premium (GWP) targets.
6. Translate partnerships into measurable premium production and customer acquisition.
7. Create commercially attractive proposals and negotiate sustainable partnership terms.
8. Develop tailored insurance propositions for various partner ecosystems, including retail banking, SME banking, and digital finance.
9. Collaborate with internal teams to structure relevant protection solutions like embedded insurance, credit life, and hospital cash.
10. Maintain comprehensive knowledge of Kenya's bancassurance, microinsurance, and alternative distribution landscape.
11. Track competitor strategies, propositions, and pricing, identifying underserved segments and innovative distribution models.
12. Represent Turaco at relevant industry forums and events.

1. Hold a Bachelor's degree in Business, Insurance, Finance, Marketing, Economics, or a related field.
2. Possess at least 5 years of relevant experience in business development or institutional partnership acquisition, preferably within insurance, bancassurance, fintech, or financial services.
3. Demonstrate a proven track record of successfully originating, negotiating, and closing commercial partnerships.
4. Have established relationships within Kenya's banking, SACCO, MFI, fintech, or broader financial services ecosystem.
5. Exhibit a strong understanding of insurance distribution, embedded insurance, or credit-linked protection products.
6. Possess excellent commercial negotiation, presentation, and financial analysis skills.
7. Be capable of engaging and influencing C-suite executives and senior decision-makers.
8. Insurance qualifications such as COP, AIIK, or ACII are considered an advantage.
9. Be a proactive "hunter" who creates opportunities and closes deals.
10. Be adept at building trust and long-term relationships.
11. Take personal ownership for pipeline progress, targets, and commercial delivery.
12. Think creatively to identify unique insurance embedding opportunities.
13. Act with urgency, follow through, and consistently deliver results.
14. Work collaboratively with internal teams to ensure exceptional partner and customer experiences.