Rustum Damonze
Auckland,AUK
Summary
Dynamic Senior Partnerships Manager with Hollard Insurance, adept at driving profitable growth through strategic planning and relationship management. Proven track record in optimizing financial performance and enhancing market share, leveraging data-driven insights and stakeholder engagement to achieve business objectives. Expertise in risk management and compliance ensures robust partnership health.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
SENIOR PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER
Hollard Insurance
10.2024 - Current
- Lead strategic partner relationships across New Zealand and Australia, with a focus on the performance of domestic and commercial motor insurance, as well as travel insurance performance.
- Scope and assess potential underwriting agency partners to expand Hollard’s distribution network and enhance market share.
- Cultivate strong relationships with stakeholders to ensure partnership health, and alignment with strategic objectives.
- Drive financial performance through data-driven insights and loss ratio optimization.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory and contractual standards.
- Analyze customer feedback, market trends, and the competitive landscape to identify new opportunities for the company.
- Successfully contributed to the development and execution of Hollard's partnership strategy, driving profitable growth.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for all partner-related queries and escalations.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams, including product, marketing, underwriting, claims, legal, and compliance, to align strategy and improve operational outcomes.
INSURANCE LEAD
NZ Home Loans
06.2023 - 10.2024
- Represented NZHL in key strategic partnership committees, contributing to the strategic direction, and presenting on key NZ business challenges and opportunities.
- Collaborated closely with strategic partners, product, and claims teams to refine and improve motor insurance offerings.
- Played a pivotal role in contract negotiations, ensuring favorable terms aligned with business growth objectives.
- Led business growth and retention initiatives through innovative insurance strategies, with a strong focus on motor coverage solutions.
- Enhanced NZHL's strategic positioning by actively contributing to NZ Management Committees, ensuring strong representation for the NZ business.
- Played a key role in developing marketing strategies focused on motor insurance growth, leveraging multi-benefit discount packages to attract and retain customers.
RELATIONSHIP MANAGER
Accident Compensation Corporation
02.2021 - 05.2023
- Served as the primary contact for key clients, handling queries related to claims, return-to-work assistance, and injury management
- Provided education and training on ACC systems, policies, and products to enhance client understanding and engagement
- Developed strong relationships within the portfolio, ensuring high levels of service and trust with stakeholders
- Assisted businesses and individuals with navigating the claims process, offering tailored solutions to support injury recovery and workplace reintegration
- Acted as a strategic advisor, helping clients optimize their interactions with ACC for better outcomes
- Successfully improved client satisfaction and service delivery through proactive relationship management
- Led training initiatives that increased stakeholder knowledge, reducing errors and improving process efficiency
- Enhanced support structures for return-to-work programs, resulting in improved outcomes for injured individuals and businesses
- Collaborated with internal teams to develop strategies that would increase customer engagement levels.
BUSINESS INSURANCE SPECIALIST
Bank of New Zealand
09.2019 - 07.2020
- Created referral relationship networks and provided expert advice on business protection needs.
- Analyzed customer requirements and provided tailored insurance solutions.
- Consistently met sales targets and customer growth objectives.
- Provided guidance to customers regarding available insurance plans and their benefits and limitations.
- Provided expert advice and strategic recommendations across all general insurance lines, with a strong focus on motor insurance.
- Assisted in the development of new products, services, and procedures to meet customer needs.
- Facilitated dispute resolution between customers and insurance providers when necessary.
REGIONAL SALES MANAGER & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Momentum Insurance & Financial Services
01.2007 - 12.2018
- Built and led a high-performing sales team, managing over 5,000 clients.
- Developed and executed strategic business development initiatives, increasing sales and revenue.
- Established key partnerships with automotive dealerships, trade unions, and corporate clients to drive distribution and growth of Momentum’s general insurance offerings.
- Achieved 20% year-over-year sales growth for three consecutive years.
- Implemented business strategies, generating an additional $25K of commission per broker annually.
- Collaborated with product development team to create new products tailored to local markets.
- Ensured compliance with company policies and procedures related to regional sales operations.
Education
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT BUSINESS DIPLOMA -
Southern Institute of Technology
12.2022
LEAN SIX SIGMA CERTIFICATE -
12.2022
NATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN FINANCIAL SERVICES -
Strategi
12.2020
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE -
University of South Africa
12.2014
Skills
- Strategic planning and execution
- Relationship management and negotiation
- Business development and growth strategies
- Risk management and compliance
- Financial and market analysis
- Leadership and team development
- Stakeholder engagement
- Operational efficiency and process improvement
- Underwriting and claims coordination
Timeline
SENIOR PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER
Hollard Insurance
10.2024 - Current
INSURANCE LEAD
NZ Home Loans
06.2023 - 10.2024
RELATIONSHIP MANAGER
Accident Compensation Corporation
02.2021 - 05.2023
BUSINESS INSURANCE SPECIALIST
Bank of New Zealand
09.2019 - 07.2020
REGIONAL SALES MANAGER & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Momentum Insurance & Financial Services
01.2007 - 12.2018
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT BUSINESS DIPLOMA -
Southern Institute of Technology
LEAN SIX SIGMA CERTIFICATE -
NATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN FINANCIAL SERVICES -
Strategi
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE -
University of South Africa
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