Country Head of Business Development

Who we are

GIG Gulf is part of the Gulf Insurance Group (GIG), the #1 regional composite insurer in MENA, with a presence in 12 markets including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Turkey. GIG Group reported consolidated assets of US$4.01 billion and a net profit of US$84 million for the year 2024.

The majority shareholder of GIG Group is Fairfax Financial Holdings, a global leader in insurance and reinsurance, with a presence in 40 markets. Listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and part of the Fortune 500, Fairfax was founded in 1985 and has always had a strong focus on long-term growth and financial resilience. It follows a decentralized model, empowering local leadership teams—many of whom have over 20 years of tenure—with trust and accountability. Fairfax's culture, rooted in its guiding principles, is reflected across all of its subsidiaries.

GIG Gulf is an 'A'-rated regional insurer with a top 5 position in each of its core markets: the UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain. With over 70 years of regional presence, GIG Gulf combines a strategic focus on growth and investment with a comprehensive portfolio of insurance products and services tailored to corporates, SMEs, and individual customers. It also holds a 50% stake in GIG Saudi. The company's strategic priorities are centered around regional growth, customer experience, and digital transformation.

GIG Gulf fosters a diverse and inclusive culture, employing over 800 people from 60+ nationalities, across 15 branches and retail outlets throughout the region. Serving over 1 million customers, GIG Gulf positions itself as a caring partner—committed to helping customers achieve their goals and lead fulfilling lives. Passionate about customer feedback, the company is constantly evolving to become the region's digital insurer of reference, operating in a responsible and sustainable way.

Job Purpose:

• Drive the profitable growth of GIG Gulf's Healthcare business in Oman
  with the support of the local and regional offering, pricing and underwriting teams
• Position our offering and servicing capacity as best-in-class, by leveraging GIG Gulf's technical and operational excellence as well as the company's capacity as the largest regional insurer in the GCC.
• Manage and be responsible for the Oman Employee Benefits P&L
• Be at the forefront of promoting GIG Gulf in the country through our broker channel and with a strong connection with the respective regulators.
• Engage with regulators and foster relationships with our strategic partners to develop locally relevant solutions aligned with Oman's aspirations from a Medical protection.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational & technical responsibilities:

Business Development Strategy Planning at top and bottom line for Oman:

• Define and execute a comprehensive healthcare business development strategy for GIG Gulf, closely collaborating with underwriting, operational, wellness, claims, network and pricing teams.
• Own the healthcare sales and profits results and ensure the achievement of business targets across segments.
• Explore and document new segments as the market and consumers evolves and work collaborate with the pricing and underwriting teams to validate the risk appetite
• Find the balance between a growth strategy and profitability and manage the relationships, the segmentation and the engagement with brokers accordingly
• Build, develop, and strengthen relationships with key brokers within the scope to enhance their value contribution to GIG Gulf's healthcare business at highest levels enabling sales team under his/her organization to successfully grow the business

Lead the Oman Medical operational Teams
:

• Lead strategically the work of our internal Oman TPA, network, processing of claims and preapprovals and customer service ensuring the value proposition is delivered as per GIG standards and Oman population needs in a profitable, compliant and sustainable manner.

Regulatory Compliance and Market Monitoring:

• Maintain a strong relationship with Oman's regulatory authorities, understanding their implications for GIG Gulf and actively monitoring the development of new healthcare schemes.
• Identify market trends early and implement corrective actions to ensure successful business development and target achievement compared to prior plans.

Strategic Planning and Financial Input:

• Provide solid, detailed, and well-founded input on business development ambitions within the scope of GIG Gulf's recurring financial planning process and business planning exercises.

Team Development and Performance Management:

• Develop and coach direct reports to facilitate their growth and improve performance, including the dismissal of underperforming staff as needed and appropriate

Exercise Delegations of Authority within Oman on all Employee Benefits areas.

Role Requirements:

Essential:

• Proven professional track-record showcasing capability to deliver in the role
• Expertise in business development and strategic planning
• Solid and deep understanding of the insurance market in the GCC region
• Well versed with the principles of Healthcare pricing and underwriting as well as the Healthcare operation and provider management
• Expertise in Health offering (including but not limited to product details, features, coverage, pricing considerations, policyholder needs addressed, etc.)
• Strong capability to proactively engage with regulatory bodies on matters related to GIG Gulf's business in the country – successfully promoting the company's views
• Strong understanding for macro-economic trends and the opportunities and threats that these represent for the business
• Bachelor's degree in relevant filed.

Desirable:

• P&L experience
• Master's degree would be a plus