Vice President, Distribution

VP Distribution Agency/Independent Producers

The VP Distribution Agency/Independent Producers is responsible for the development and execution of industry leading go-to-market, sales, marketing and customer engagement strategies while developing and maintaining highly effective relationships with both external (e.g. small to mid retail producers, independent agents) and internal customers (e.g. underwriting). Will also be responsible for developing and executing an advanced distribution strategy. Will demonstrate the highest level of partnership and collaboration with underwriting to drive superior results in new business submissions, new business written premium, retention and profitability. Position requires superior sales, communication, collaboration, influence management and analytical skills. Attaining and maintaining a superior knowledge of our products and services is critical. This role is responsible for the implementation of agency development strategies with Westfield Specialty's US products with the primary objective being to increase the production of profitable business, expand the number of product lines placed by key agents and identify, appoint and develop new production sources.

What Will You Do?

• Coordinate and communicate with Westfield Specialty leadership to understand the key drivers and strategies that are critical to success.
• Collaborate to identify opportunities utilizing segmentation, cross sell and other distribution management tools.
• Be recognized as a resource to establish and implement distribution strategies with agents within the region.
• Engage outside groups to develop targeted distribution opportunities.
• Leverage organizations strength and communication to new distributor appointments and identified opportunities.
• Learn & provide exceptional knowledge of product and appetite while also demonstrating outstanding knowledge of competitors' products.
• Schedule and run agency visits with distribution partners to drive production & profitability results.
• Collaborate with Underwriting on account pipeline development, book roll opportunities and key relationships to proactively manage the sales process.
• Conduct regular territory reviews with Underwriting with focus on new business, renewal business and profitability performance to plan.
• Assist in development & understanding of competitors' products & pricing strategies in marketplace while also providing "street level" feedback.
• Develop annual agency/broker business plans with select partners and hold accountable through various metrics (submissions, premium commitment, pipeline, etc.).
• Differentiate distribution support based on agency assessments, including driving production with relationships with aggressive growth potential, while also helping to maintain relationships with larger, more-tenured books of business.
• Be recognized as a lead resource with respect to more local and regional marketplace dynamics and knowledge of the relationships with distribution.
• Viewed as a proficient consultant helping BUs understand distribution and align resources to optimize channel results.
• Exhibit knowledge of the market drivers that impact each category of distributors and connect these relationships internally with appropriate BUs.
• Lead efforts to gather and maintain competitor intelligence on key national and regional competitors.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in business or related field.
• Professional designations (CIC, CPCU, ARM) highly desired.
• A minimum of 10 plus years of experience in distribution with independent producers/ agencies, demonstrating expertise with a variety of sales and insurance concepts, practices, and procedures.
• Strong interpersonal skills, business acumen, and sound business judgment and be capable of effectively communicating with a diverse range of individuals and teams
• Strong aptitude for analyzing and translating data
• Superior strategic and execution skills along with strong coaching and mentoring abilities
• Successful experience in areas of strategic planning and marketing, business and market development, market research and planning in commercial lines insurance
• The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed in this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, skills, responsibilities, knowledge, etc. These may be subject to change and additional functions may be assigned as needed by management.