This is an exceptionally exciting year for the team, and we are delighted to present a new opportunity for a Motor Network and Engineering Manager to join our First Party Claims leadership team here at The Acorn Group. Reporting to the Head of First Party Claims, you will be responsible for the leadership of our motor engineering team, overseeing various supplier operational arrangements, and being accountable for certain aspects of our repair network provision.
This position offers huge opportunities for professional growth and development, entails sizeable accountability and decision-making responsibilities, and will position you as a senior leader within the claims team, where you will have a real impact on our customers and business. In this role you will be a manager who leads from the front – being hands-on, engaging and committed to a quality-first mindset with a focus on creating good outcomes for our customers and our people. If that sounds like you, then please read on!
This exciting position offers the flexibility of fully remote work or a hybrid option with a desk at one of our offices located in Liverpool or Sevenoaks. Regular travel will be necessary, allowing you to spend time with your team and colleagues, meet with suppliers, visit body shops within our repair network, and attend industry events and conferences. This role will undoubtedly keep you busy, engaged, and well-connected to the industry!
Job title: Motor Network and Engineering Manager
Location: Fully remote homeworking or hybrid office – regular travel required to various offices and suppliers
Working hours: Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours between 9:00am and 5:30pm
What you will be doing:
* You will take charge of all engineering related to network and non-network repairs, total loss valuations and categorisations, and manage any referrals made to the team, including those from our external supplier engineering teams.
* Your role will involve implementing new strategies and processes that enhance cost control, improve fraud detection, and create subrogation opportunities.
* Prioritising the customer experience will be essential, ensuring that engineering processes and measures align with our core purpose.
* You will actively advocate for and promote our internal motor engineer apprenticeship programme.
* It's important to establish effective controls to guarantee that both internal and external motor engineering services adhere to our best practice standards.
* You will focus on your own training and development as well as that of your team, which includes embedding an internal QA process, coordinating external training courses, and ensuring continuous professional development is maintained.
* You will oversee the performance and technical delivery of outsourced suppliers, such as independent engineering and software providers.
* Supporting internal colleagues will be key, providing training, suggesting process improvements, and implementing strategies to enhance the quality of referrals, identify total losses, resolve valuation disputes, address forensic engineering issues, manage subrogation challenges, and more.
* You will provide technical oversight and development of our salvage arrangements, building on existing supply chain relationships, maximising salvage returns, and ensuring effective categorisation, disposal, and sale of vehicles in accordance with ABI guidelines.
* Additionally, you will foster relationships with external organisations in the automotive industry, such as vehicle manufacturers, Thatcham, the Institute of Automotive Engineer Assessors (IAEA), and others.
* Lastly, you will ensure the business fulfils its regulatory obligations by embodying Consumer Duty, exemplifying The Acorn Group values, and ensuring both you and your team remain compliant with professional qualifications and other mandatory training requirements.
* Your role will involve collaborating closely with our repair network management provider to guarantee that repairs are conducted safely and cost-effectively, prioritising the customer in every decision made.
* You will be responsible for overseeing technical audits, governance, and best practices established by the network provider.
* Implementing The Acorn Group's approach to ensuring effective repairs within the network, focusing on delivering quality, timely, and cost-efficient solutions.
* Developing new customer-centric and cost-effective solutions through updated processes, systems, or technologies.
* Establishing and monitoring auto-authorisation rules for approving repair and supplementary estimates.
* Creating and tracking key metrics to measure network performance and drive continuous improvement.
What we’re looking for:
* Ideally, you should be IMI VDA (Vehicle Damage Assessor) accredited.
* You should also hold your AQP qualification – a current competency-based assessment in salvage categorisation from the IAEA or another recognised industry body.
* Demonstrable experience in handling insurance motor claims or working within the repair body shop industry is essential.
* Strong leadership abilities are a must.
* Exceptional stakeholder and relationship management skills are crucial; you will be expected to develop a robust internal network while managing relationships with various suppliers and industry contacts.
* You should be adept at working with diverse types and sources of data, able to analyse, interrogate, and present it in various formats.
* Effective communication at all levels is required, with the ability to adapt your style as necessary.
* A solid understanding of the body shop industry’s complexities, including parts supply chains, repair methods, material composition, ADAS, and proficiency with specialised systems like Audatex or Escribe is important.
We’re not about ticking boxes and so if you think that you meet most of the above, then we’d love to hear from you.
About Acorn Insurance
We are a growing business with great opportunities to build your knowledge of the financial services industry. As a specialist insurance provider, we have over 40 years of experience helping people secure motor insurance across all of the UK. We help more than 50,000 customers to find a policy that meets their needs and gives them the peace of mind that comes with high-quality insurance.
At Acorn Insurance we provide full training and continuous coaching inhouse you will be given full in-depth FCA regulated industry knowledge and have all the tools necessary to help you personally grow your career with the business.
We celebrate difference and it’s important to us that we have a culture where our people feel respected and valued for who they are. We pride ourselves on being accessible and encourage inclusive environments where our people can always give and show the very best of themselves.
The Acorn Group is a Great Place to Work 2024/5. A record number of Acorn employees completed the survey. The results overwhelmingly revealed that the group is welcoming, supportive and a great place to forge a career. There is always room for improvement though. We have big plans to improve even further in 2025.
Why Acorn Insurance?
Acorn Insurance want to give you more than a job, we want to give you a purpose and a career. So, what can we offer you as an employer? Some of the “your tomorrow” benefits you will receive include:
* Enhanced Annual Leave entitlement starting at 31 days and potentially increasing to 35 days per year depending on grade & length of service (including bank holidays)
* Additional Buy & Sell Holidays
* Company Sick Pay Scheme
* Company Paid Maternity & Paternity Leave
* Generous Company Pension Scheme
* Perk Box Online & High Street vouchers and discounts
* Fresh fruit Deliveries twice a week*
* £250 Refer a friend bonus.
* Cycle to work scheme.
* Free eye test vouchers and a contribution towards the frames
* Free self-development & qualifications via Magpie Learning
* A comprehensive Mental Health support a wide network of mental health first aiders and free counselling sessions
* Free Hot Drinks*
* Regular Employment Engagement including ongoing competitions with fantastic prizes.
*On selected sites
All roles are subject to DBS and Financial checks, any offer made will be conditional until checks are completed to a satisfactory standard.
Unfortunately, due to the length of training and complexity of the role, we can only accept applications from candidates who have at least one year remaining on their (Graduate/ Post study work) visa. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide visa sponsorships.
At Acorn, we are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive work environment. We recognise that candidates may have specific needs and are happy to consider reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process and working environment to accommodate individual requirements. Whether it’s modifying equipment, adjusting working hours, or providing additional support, we aim to ensure all employees can perform at their best. If you require any reasonable adjustments, please let us know during the application or interview process, and we will work with you to ensure your needs are met.
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