DIRECTOR, COMMERCIAL LINES

Descriptive Summary
HR Partner has been retained to find the next Director, Commercial Lines for a leading insurance agency. This is a great opportunity to join a large Michigan-based regional insurance company with an excellent client services reputation and recognized as a "Best Employers to Work For". This agency built its reputation by delivering the best possible insurance and risk management products, the most informed and insightful strategic counsel, and the highest level of service to every customer, every day.

The Director of Commercial Lines is responsible for the agencies commercial lines account services success including middle market and large commercial account service teams. This individual is charged with creating and leading a commercial lines organization (40+ employees including 7 direct reports) that supports agency customer growth and service objectives, provides support for employees’ development and success and enables managers to succeed. This individual ensures the commercial lines organization works collaboratively with the sales organization to promote customer retention and create an environment that enables revenue growth and profitability.

This position reports to the COO and is a member of the senior leadership team. Additional key stakeholders include the producers in four offices, leadership team peers, direct reports (2 managers, 1 supervisor, 4 marketing specialists), commercial lines staff and customers.

Key Accountabilities
Service Delivery Leadership
• Lead and develop best in class service model for both external and internal customers that is scalable and recognizes the unique needs of small, middle and large customers.
• Explore best technology service delivery models to improve quality and efficiency allowing service teams to focus skill sets for highly leveraged customer interactions.
• Promote coverage and industry expertise at all levels as appropriate to role.
• Drive commercial lines continuous improvement initiatives that improve efficiency and ensure customer satisfaction.
• Partner with sales department in developing and implementing stewardship initiatives that improve the customer experience, increase retention and balance efficiency.
• Measure service standards success through monitoring of key metrics for the team and individual performance.
• Effectively deliver on all of the agency's Manager/Leader Key Accountabilities.
• Adopt, demonstrate and champion the agency’s leadership team norms and governance.

Talent Acquisition and Development for Commercial Lines
• Ensure talent management of the Commercial Lines team including hiring, development, evaluation, performance management and compensation.
• Coach and develop commercial lines leaders.
• Collaborates with the training leader and his/her leadership team ensure the training and ongoing development of the Commercial Lines team.
• Ensure all employees understand and empower them to communicate and deliver the value that the agency brings to every customer.
• Build and maintain a talent management strategy and pipeline to meet future staffing needs in collaboration with the HR business partner.

Drive Effective New and Renewal Account Marketing
• Oversee new business marketing efforts and give overall direction to middle market account managers for renewal marketing.
• Enhance and develop skill sets across team to ensure formidable marketing strategy to win new clients and retain existing clients.
• Evaluate quote proposals, bench-marking and other agency marketing material for updating and effectiveness meeting the changing needs of customer acquisition.

Identify growth opportunities and partner to enable growth of agency revenue.
• Partner with the sales department to develop strategies that promote new customer acquisition.
• Manage commercial lines carrier relationships ensuring mutual profitable growth for the agency and its partner carriers.
• Ensure market availability and secure the broadest product offering and most flexible terms that gives the agency the edge in the marketplace.
• Monitor and evaluate carriers monthly (i.e., new business, retention, and loss ratio).
• Track and report new business and customer retention monthly, quarterly, and annually.

Protect the agency's E&O exposures.
• Ensure consistent use of procedures and practices to maintain files.
• Ensure team is meeting agency expectations for the secure handling of private/sensitive agency and customer information (medical, social security numbers, drivers’ licenses, financials, etc.) and following the proper protocol always.
• Ensure team is compliant with all company policies.

Requirements: Experience & Qualifications
• 10+ years of Commercial Lines leadership experience
• 20+ years of insurance industry experience
• Demonstrated superior knowledge of all Commercial Lines products
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Excellent organization, planning, and prioritization skills
• Superior leadership and coaching skills
• Strong influencing skills
• Proven ability to influence at all levels
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical, problem solving and judgment skills
• High level of computer proficiency
• Self-starter and results-oriented team player with a constant focus on improving processes
• Property & Casualty License required
• Professional designation(s) preferred
• Some travel is required

Competitive Compensation and Benefits
• Highly competitive base salary
• Target bonus 10% based on company and unit performance
• 401(k) Match up to 3% of salary
• Car allowance – monthly stipend
• Nonproducer book-of-business lead account management service commission potential
Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 4 weeks per year
• 10 paid holidays
Health/Medical
Health Savings Account
Flexible Spending Account – Medical & Dependent Care
Dental and Vision
Employer Paid Benefits
• Life and AD&D
• Long Term Disability
Employee Voluntary Benefits
• Life and AD&D
• Short Term Disability
• Accident
• Critical Illness
• Pet Insurance
• 401K