Oversees an assigned territory with broad and challenging agency partners driving profitable premium growth to achieve financial and operational goals.  Creates, implements and executes territory and agency strategies to achieve short term and long term goals utilizing all company programs, tools and resources in collaboration with internal business partners.   Builds and cultivates complex agency partnerships in person with agency ownership, management and frontline team members.  Establishes position as a subject matter expert while delivering product, underwriting philosophy, appetite and system training, and support retention and new business development to increase depth and maximize agency revenue.   Builds and executes an effective agency management sales plan with broad and challenging agencies to achieve maximum production and profit goals in assigned territory.

Essential Functions:

• Oversees an assigned territory with broad and challenging agency partners driving profitable premium growth to achieve financial and operational goals

• Creates, implements and executes territory and agency strategies to achieve short term and long term goals utilizing all company programs, tools and resources in collaboration with internal business partners

• Owns the business development process within assigned market area with heavy emphasis on developing a pipeline of profitable new business and renewal retention

• Continually identifies and evaluates prospects for new agencies within the territory.  Surveys prospective agencies and obtains completed agency applications

• Builds and cultivates complex agency partnerships in person with agency ownership, management and frontline team members

• Creates, drives, and manages strong producer relationships through high visibility, clear knowledge of company strategy and joint sales planning

• Communicates with branch team about complex agency relationships and proactively coordinates actions to address potential issues, involving other departments as appropriate

• Builds and executes an effective agency management sales plan with broad and challenging agencies to achieve maximum production and profit goals in assigned territory

• Leads assigned geographical territory and agency management processes (e.g. agency prospecting, business planning, engagement, training, compensation, etc)

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in marketing or business or equivalent relevant work experience

• Five years of experience in property and casualty underwriting, claims, sales territory development, or agency, or related experience

• Insurance designations, such as CPCU or CIC, or an agent license preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent knowledge of property and casualty insurance industry

• Advanced knowledge of independent agency operations, market conditions and competitor information

• Exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to make sound decisions

• Excellent sales and negotiating skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentation skills

• Excellent organizational, time management and planning skills

• Strong problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills

• Ability to work independently

• Strong computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office and social media

• Demonstrated leadership qualities

• Travel required; valid driver’s license with an acceptable motor vehicle report per company standards required if driving