Job Details

Business Development Leader - Hybrid or Remote Opportunity in AZ, Phoenix

As the Business Development Leader (BDL), you will lead strategic planning and execution within your assigned area. You are responsible for driving growth, retention, and profitability through the development and management of key distribution partnerships. In alignment with GuideOne's distribution strategy, you will collaborate closely with Underwriting Managers and Territory Managers to shape geographic distribution plans, guide production strategies, engage brokers, and build a robust business pipeline.

Accountabilities

Business Development

• Growth and strengthen key national trading partnerships focusing on developing mutually beneficial relationships with marketing, sales and regional leaders.
• Cultivate existing distribution partnerships and recruit new producers that create strategic value and drive highly scalable partnerships.
• Develop and execute the business development strategy for the focus niche.
• Drive financial performance of planned premium and profitability goals.
• Be the business advocate for new business opportunities, key renewals, and outstanding issues with senior management of distribution partners.
• Consistent approach to distribution and line of business engagement, communication, and collaboration to ensure strategies and activities align with goals.
• Schedule and lead regular engagement meetings with carrier liaisons, practice leaders, and territory marketing representatives to effectively drive a top-down strategy.
• Work to position the company as a lead carrier for business that fits underwriting appetite in company's core niches to increase "size of wallet" in line with growth, retention, and profitability targets.
• Approval of appointments and cancellations of distribution partners as needed.
• Utilize market knowledge to identify panels, programs, master policies, and portfolio transfer opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent education/work experience. Professional designations (CIC, CPCU, ARM, P&C Producers License) highly desired.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of commercial insurance territory management experience plus underwriting experience preferred.
• Ability to build and develop new partnerships and deeper relationships for GuideOne.
• Demonstrable expertise with a variety of sales and insurance concepts, practices, and procedures.
• Documented relationships and experience developing and selling to large independent agencies, brokers, aggregators, and wholesalers.
• Broad understanding of and connectivity to territories distribution marketplace with strong relationship building skills at peer group level.
• Advanced ability to segment distribution partnerships and create engagement strategies using marketplace knowledge.
• Ability to build distribution in new geographical areas.
• Experience in working with underwriting personnel.
• Knowledge of commercial insurance preferably in the non-profit human services/education, religious institutions, and small business niches.
• Established record of meeting new and renewal business and profitability goals.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Well-versed in client management and detailed knowledge of large and complex national and regional broker structures and their local operations.
• Ability to communicate clearly and persuasively with distribution partners, peers, and senior executives without executive authority.
• Strong negotiation and overcoming objection skills. Ability to negotiate best position and manage through conflicting priorities.
• Solid experience with Microsoft Office tools including Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Must be able to prepare and interpret reports, spreadsheets, budgets, and PowerPoint presentations.
• Knowledgeable in analysis and presentation of data.
• Ability to work remotely, utilizing independent judgement and creativity.
• Strong degree of self-motivation, organizational, and time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to accept change and lead within a change-oriented environment.
• Frequent overnight travel required to be visible with distribution partners to develop and maintain peer level relationships.
• Experience with CRM programs.

Compensation

• $120,000 - $160,000 commensurate with experience, plus bonus eligibility

Benefits

We are proud to offer a robust benefits suite that includes:

• Competitive base salary plus incentive plans for eligible team members
• 401(K) retirement plan that includes a company match of up to 6% of your eligible salary
• Free basic life and AD&D, long-term disability and short-term disability insurance
• Medical, dental and vision plans to meet your unique healthcare needs
• Wellness incentives
• Generous time off program that includes personal, holiday and volunteer paid time off
• Flexible work schedules and hybrid/remote options for eligible positions
• Educational assistance