Description:
Allegany Co-op Insurance Company is the emblem of stability, security, and integrity and has been serving the Property & Casualty insurance needs of our policyholders since 1887. The Company has proudly received an “A-” rating from A.M. Best.
We are seeking a Business Development Manager or Senior Business Development Manager to secure our agency relationships in the state of Pennsylvania. Expectations for both roles are below with a salary range encompassing both roles. The specific role and salary will be determined based on experience and qualifications
The Business Development Manager (BDM) is responsible for understanding and promoting Allegany Insurance Group products & services to independent agency partners, with an emphasis on maintaining positive company/agency relationships, while identifying new agency appointment prospects. Operating with an Allegany Insurance Group perspective, and utilizing our value proposition to enhance agency economics, the BDM prioritizes and drives effective relationship management and producer activities to build trust, facilitate negotiation, and secure commitment to optimize growth, profit and retention ratios, aligned with corporate budgeted goals.
The Senior Business Development Manager is responsible for leading strategic agency relationship management and serving as a senior resource for agency partners and internal teams, in addition to the responsibilities of the BDM.
Responsibilities and Duties:
Business Development Manager
- Ensure regulatory compliance in agency & producer licensure and record-keeping.
- Maintain agency files and work collaboratively with supporting resources
- Ensure proper versions of agency contracts, commission schedules/agreement, or other documents are utilized and executed for new agency appointments, merger/acquisitions, and/or times when the company updates standards.
- Oversee optimal process and effective communication for agency ownership, appointment, and/or coding updates across departments and/or systems.
- Act as company/agency liaison. Communication and collaboration across departments & functional areas is critical, including but not limited to: Underwriting, Claims, Absolute Customer Experience (ACE), Accounting/Finance, and Information Systems (IS)
- Participate in monthly underwriting, product and related meetings to stay informed of updates, and offer agent feedback on: appetite, guidelines, products, system features, processes, etc.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with assigned agencies by way of accessibility, visibility, communication, and consultative partnership.
- Monitor and share agency production and loss information, with a long-term focus toward profitable agency growth, to capitalize on profit-sharing/contingent commission. Develop and maintain methods for information and data distribution to agents and Allegany Leadership.
- Identify, evaluate and recommend new agency appointments to leadership for approval.
- Participate in annual premium budget planning for the assigned territory.
- Analyze agency compensation plans, including agency profit-sharing/contingent commission, relative to peer competitors, as well as Allegany profit margins by product.
- Ownership of agency events within budget, with support from leadership or other departments.
- Support agency-directed marketing campaigns which align with organizational strategic & tactical communication objectives.
- Assist with mentoring and guidance of other employees.
Senior Business Development Manager
- Above duties of Business Development Manager
- Lead assigned territory strategy to achieve budgeted premium, profit, retention, and agency relationship objectives.
- Develop, maintain, and deepen executive-level relationships with key agency principals, producers, and strategic partners.
- Identify, evaluate, negotiate, and recommend new agency appointments, mergers/acquisitions impacts, agency segmentation, and growth opportunities to leadership.
- Analyze production, loss results, profit-sharing/contingent commission, market conditions, competitive compensation plans, and product performance to inform agency and company strategy.
- Lead agency business planning discussions, including action plans for growth, profitability, retention, mix of business, and producer engagement.
- Provide leadership with regular territory updates, agency pipeline insights, competitive intelligence, and recommendations for strategic or tactical action.
- All other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
Business Development Manager
- Proactive, self-starting mentality
- Able to work independently or with minimal supervision
- Able to be a collaborative, strong interpersonal leader who interacts with all domains of the Group and our Independent agency sales force
- Possess strong written and verbal communication skills, including negotiation and persuasion
- Ability to teach and train others, specifically agency staff on company appetite, products, systems and processes
- Organized, detail oriented and highly reliable
- Valid driver’s license required
Senior Business Development Manager
- Advanced relationship management, negotiation, persuasion, presentation, and consultative sales skills.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret production, loss, profitability, compensation, and market information.
- Ability to influence without direct authority and collaborate effectively across all domains of the Group and the independent agency sales force.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with executive presence and sound business judgment.
Education/Experience:
Business Development Manager
- 7+ years industry experience, 3+ years sales and/or agency management experience
- High school diploma required. Associates or Bachelor’s degree preferred
- Continue advancement in insurance knowledge and current industry trends through designation coursework such as INS, AIS, CPCU, CIC, CPIA and seminars
- Strong knowledge of P&C insurance principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems
Senior Business Development Manager
- 10+ years of property and casualty insurance experience preferred, including 5+ years in sales, agency management, business development, underwriting, or related distribution roles.
- High school diploma required; Bachelor’s degree in business, insurance, marketing, finance, or related field preferred.
- Advanced knowledge of P&C insurance principles, agency operations, profitability drivers, compensation models, sales practices, and competitive market dynamics.
- Professional insurance designation or continued coursework preferred, such as INS, AIS, CPCU, CIC, CPIA, or related seminars.
Physical Requirements:
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
- Must be able to travel, which includes various periods of sitting and/or driving.
Employment:
- Location: Cuba, New York / Remote
- Territory: Pennsylvania
- Some overnight travel required
- Job Status: Full Time, Exempt
- Work Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:00 am-4:00 pm
- Salary: $67,000-112,000
- Allegany Co-op Insurance Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $67,000.00 - $112,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- sales or agency management: 7 years (Required)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: On the road
