Job Description

This is an exceptionally exciting year for the team, and we are delighted to present a new opportunity for a Desktop Motor Engineering Manager to join our First Party Claims leadership team here at The Acorn Group. Reporting to the Head of Network & Engineering 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 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!



We may be a bit biased, but we believe you would be joining the finest claims team in the industry. We are a close-knit group that enjoys having fun while working hard to provide the best service possible for our customers and each other.

Job title:

Desktop Motor Engineering Manager

Location:

Homeworking with hybrid office - regular travel required to various offices and suppliers

Working hours:

Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours between 9:00am and 5:30pm

Salary:

Competitive depending on experience, plus 10% annual performance related bonus paid quarterly



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. 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.



Grow with Acorn



At Acorn Insurance, we're proud of our Liverpool roots -- and even prouder of how far we've come. As part of the Acorn Group, we bring over 40 years of specialist insurance expertise to the table. From humble beginnings, we've grown into a national leader, now employing 1,700+ people across the UK and reached a milestone 750 million in total value of insurance policies written in 2024.



We're growing fast, with new opportunities emerging every week. That growth is largely due to the values we share:



o We run through walls for our customers and each other o We challenge the status quo o We succeed when we help those around us succeed o We decide quickly when the smart thing to do is use our judgement

Benefits:

o 35 days' holiday (including bank holidays) with additional buy/sell options o 24/7 mental health support & free counselling available Grow with us: Through career fairs, leadership programs, and learning on the go! o Flexible benefits, including early access to salary via our internal platform o Hybrid working options to support work-life balance and individual needs o Recognition awards, social events & more

Our Commitment to our colleague's:

These aren't just words -- they're the principles we live by. And we're proud to back them up with real action, earning recognition and accreditation from leading organisations that share our commitment to people and growth:



o Mindful Employer - championing mental health and wellbeing Disability Confident Level 1 & 2 - creating accessible, inclusive opportunities o Menopause Friendly accredited - supporting every stage of life o? Armed Forces Covenant signatory - honouring those who serve o Great Places to Work 2024/25 - fostering an engaging and positive workplace culture o Best Place to Work for Development - proud to be investing in people's future o?o Best Place to Work for Women - breaking down barriers to women's career progression

If you're looking for a company with a strong culture, real career progression, and a people-first approach -- all rooted in the heart of Liverpool -- Grow with Acorn.



A Few Things to Know Before You Apply



We're really excited that you're considering joining Acorn! To help everything go smoothly, here are a couple of things to keep in mind:



Checks & Clearances All roles at Acorn are subject to DBS and financial checks. Any offer we make will be conditional until these are completed to a satisfactory standard. Visa Requirements Because our training is quite comprehensive, we can only consider applicants who have at least one year remaining on their Graduate or Post-Study Work visa. At the moment, we're not able to offer visa sponsorship. * We're Here to Support You We're committed to creating an inclusive, supportive workplace where everyone can flourish. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process--or once you're part of the team--just let us know. Whether it's flexible hours, adapted equipment, or a bit of extra support, we'll work with you to make sure you can do your best work.