Crop Business Developer Manager

Be Here. Be Great. Working for a leader in the insurance industry means opportunity for you. Great American Insurance Group's member companies are subsidiaries of American Financial Group. We combine a "small company" culture where your ideas will be heard with "big company" expertise to help you succeed. With over 30 specialty and property and casualty operations, there are always opportunities here to learn and grow.

At Great American, we value and recognize the benefits derived when people with different backgrounds and experiences work together to achieve business results. Our goal is to create a workplace where all employees feel included, empowered, and enabled to perform at their best.

Great American's Crop Division is looking for a Business Developer Manager in our Central U.S. region. The position is remote, based out of AR, CO, KS, LA, MO, MS, NE, NM, OK, TX or WY. This position requires frequent day and overnight travel (60% - 80% of time) to visit agents and brokers throughout the state. As one of the largest Crop insurers in the country, Great American is recognized as a leader in this specialized marketplace.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

• Oversees employees in functions of the Business Development team/department.

• Player/Coach – Responsible for the service and support of a small book of business to be determined based on location.

• Oversees the development of productive agency plant(s)/territory(ies).

  • Accountable for the development of marketing plans for assigned territory(ies), taking into consideration the strengths and weaknesses of the agency plant(s)/territory(ies) and competitors, divisional objectives, and overall market conditions.

  • Oversees staff in prospecting, appointing, and managing agency relationships and in achieving production and profitability objectives.

  • May oversee the development and execution of agency action plans for achieving individual agency objectives.

  • Ensures timely review and analysis of agents' production and results and that appropriate corrective measures, including modification or cancelation of agency appointments, are implemented.

  • Oversees resolution to problems between company and producer.

• Has responsibility for marketing and providing strategic training on company products and services to existing and prospective agencies.

  • Serves as a technical expert in and ensures staff is able to interpret, explain, and educate agencies on products (features, market placement, techniques to market/sell, etc.), facilities, practices, and services and technology solutions and/or integration needs.

  • Gathers, analyzes, and maintains competitive information.  Makes appropriate recommendations based on competitive landscape and industry trends.

• As appropriate for line of business: 

  • Has accountability for own profit-oriented risk selection/rejection, pricing decisions, within designated authority, and those made by members of the team/unit.

  • Empowers employees to use independent judgment and initiative to support business goals.

  • Monitors aggregate quality and pricing for assigned territory(ies).

  • Ensures the monitoring of persistency, placement, and agent/agency debt.

  • Ensures a high level of customer service.

  • Binds and/or oversees the binding of risks in the field, within level of authority.  Oversees and may perform risk appraisals.

  • May take an active role, as needed, for large and/or complex accounts during upstart and/or critical periods in order to assist agents in producing business.

• Ensures that effective business relationships with internal and external customers/coworkers are developed and maintained in order to attract and retain profitable business.

  • Ensures consistency across the team when communicating with/responding to agents and brokers.

• Identifies opportunities for and may spearhead development of new business and/or programs.

• Administers and applies insurance laws and regulations and as appropriate administers, applies, and may update underwriting rules and guidelines, and rating manual rules. 

• Analyzes quality and quantity of risks underwritten and prepares reports to communicate this information.

• Ensures that the team meets performance targets.

• Responsible for performance and coaching of staff and decisions regarding talent selection, development, and performance management.  Ensures new members of the team receive proper training.

• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field.

• Generally, a minimum of 9 years of experience in strategic business development, marketing, or a related role, including a minimum of 4 years of leadership experience. Crop insurance experience required.

• Position requires frequent day and overnight travel (60% - 80% of time) to visit agents and brokers.

Business Unit:

Salary Range:

Benefits:

We offer competitive benefits packages for full-time and part-time employees*. Full-time employees have access to medical, dental, and vision coverage, wellness plans, parental leave, adoption assistance, and tuition reimbursement. Full-time and eligible part-time employees also enjoy Paid Time Off and paid holidays, a 401(k) plan with company match, an employee stock purchase plan, and commuter benefits.

Compensation varies by role, level, and location and is influenced by skills, experience, and business needs. Your recruiter will provide details about benefits and specific compensation ranges during the hiring process. Learn more at http://www.gaig.com/careers.

*Excludes seasonal employees and interns.