Operations Relationship Manager - Life

Overview: Independently and proactively engage key contacts for Sammons Life Insurance Group via phone calls, e-mail, regularly scheduled virtual meetings, and in-person events to develop a deep understanding of National Accounts and build strong working relationships. Support the Life Division sales strategy to grow life insurance sales and strengthen partnerships through National Accounts and other key distribution relationships. Work in close collaboration with National Account Managers, Sales Leaders, Regional Vice Presidents, Sales Operations, and other team members to capitalize on opportunities to strengthen relationships, leverage and align resources, and drive continued sales growth. Responsibilities:

• Partner closely with National Account Managers, Sales Leaders, and Sales Operations leadership to identify and capitalize on opportunities within assigned national relationships.
• Develop a deep understanding of key account structures, value propositions, technology offerings/capabilities, and key third-party partnerships for each account. Ensure that the appropriate life company is positioned and promoted properly on key account websites, technology platforms, and in field communications to ensure accurate representation and optimal brand exposure across key national relationships.
• Develop a deep understanding of existing member firm/agent relationships with Sammons companies and identify opportunities for new or deeper engagement with member firms/agents across Sammons companies. Facilitate introductions to Regional Vice Presidents (RVPs) and other sales leaders as new member firms/agents join assigned national relationships.
• Partner with Sales Leaders and National Account Managers in the planning and coordination of marketing opportunities, meeting planning, event attendance, event sponsorship, etc.
• Use strong industry knowledge to effectively and efficiently respond to a broad range of requests and/or questions from assigned national relationships and facilitate introductions to other internal team members as needed.
• Identify and participate in process improvements and onboarding efforts including but not limited to, rules of engagement analysis and needs, assessing technology and operational needs and leading planning meetings both internally and with new distribution partners to ensure a successful launch.
• Make recommendations to leadership on opportunities to further promote and differentiate North American or Midland National using strong understanding of other carriers and/or third-party vendors partnering with assigned national relationships.
• Proactively research market trends and gather insights to help inform the overall National Account strategy including sales results, member firm feedback, mergers and acquisitions news, etc.
• Identify opportunities and facilitate discussions regarding technology, data needs, and/or process improvement opportunities to strengthen key relationships.
• Proactively engage Key Account staff on a regular basis to develop strong collaborative partnerships and to maintain a strong awarweness of key initaitives happening with Key Accounts.
• Provide regular updates to Sales Operations and Sales leadership on activities with key partners and overall health of the relationships.
• Identify and provide input in to new initiatives that help to provide process and workflow improvements, programs and policy changes, operational efficiencies, and technology improvements.
• Collaborate with operations leaders to ensure the day-to-day transactions are handled in line with service level standards to continuously meet the expectations of our key distribution partners to drive sales.
• In conjunction with Sales Team members, gather and maintain profile information in customer relationship management system including key contacts, key carrier relationships, business profiles, and other critical information deemed necessary for ensuring a complete understanding of key National Accounts.
• Actively manage key contacts across Shared Services operations teams and business unit partners to ensure open and collaborative communication is occurring on escalated issues, process and technical improvement ideas.
  

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree Preferred
• Insurance industry experience Required
• 3-5 years' operations leadership, project leadership or relationship management experience Preferred
• Exemplary phone skills with a service and problem resolution base; proven ability to handle difficult calls in a professional manner
• Strong organizational skills with emphasis on prioritization
• Demonstrated ability to influence and lead others outside of reporting authority to achieve goals
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to easily engage others in dialogue, convey sincere interest in building and deepening relationships; demonstrate a commitment to providing personalized service
• Proven results exceeding goals in a customer-centric, results driven environment
• Proven ability to utilize expert conflict resolution skills to maintain strong relationships
• Ability to handle numerous tasks effectively at the same time
• Strong customer relationship management and servicing skills, as well as internal corporate relationship management capabilities
• Goal driven individual, strong project skills and keeps timelines in focus
• Proven ability to promote operational efficiencies and ease of business initiatives utilizing a creative skillset
• Demonstrated training skills with the ability to work with individuals virtually, in person or via phone to educate on product, process or technology
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and operate in fast paced, changing environment
• Proven ability to provide competitive analysis, monitor and be familiar with multiple competitor’s products
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft suite of products (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)
• 30% travel required

Suitability Requirements: • Criminal background check required.
Company Information: •Sammons Financial Group offers a competitive benefit package that includes: Health, Dental, Vision, Company Paid Retirement, PTO and Holiday Pay.

• Our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is a 100% company-funded retirement plan, so you can save for retirement without contributing a penny of your own paycheck.
• Healthy balance between work and personal lives. Friday afternoons off all year long, competitive PTO, and generous number of paid holidays.
• Our incentive program for defined goals subject to eligibility and performance. Monetary rewards are based on individual and/or overall company performance.
• Colleagues who support one another, model our core values, and drive our healthy, high-performing culture. Pay Range: USD $66,791.00 - USD $139,149.00 /Yr. Pay Transparency Verbiage: Range includes data points from multiple labor markets. Specific range is dependent on the labor market where the incumbent will be hired to perform the position. Starting salary is dependent on candidate qualifications and experience. For a narrower salary range specific to your labor market, please inquire. Work Authorization/Sponsorship: At this time, we’re not considering candidates that need any type of immigration sponsorship now or in the future or those needing work authorization for this role (This includes, but is not limited to students on F1-OPT, F1-CPT, J-1, etc.)