Associate Vice President of Distribution & Market Engagement

United Educators • Bethesda, MD

13d • $200,000 - $225,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Vice President of Distribution & Market Engagement leads the execution of United Educators’ strategic market engagement and business development framework across defined customer segments, including higher education and private K–12 schools. The role manages activities intended to achieve new business and revenue results across revenue channels and translates enterprise market and growth strategies into coordinated sales and business development plans. It oversees business development operations, territory management, and broker engagement to support insurance premium growth and noninsurance revenue programs within a clearly defined customer universe.

The AVP contributes to market intelligence efforts by gathering and synthesizing field-level insights from brokers, members, and partners. Working with Programs, Underwriting, and other internal stakeholders, the role turns information about emerging risks, institutional needs, competitive dynamics, and distribution into actionable recommendations for strategic market decisions. The AVP supervises territory managers and business development staff, develops broker and partner relationships, and uses data, market insights, and disciplined pipeline management to support sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and member engagement.

The position requires adherence to United Educators’ cybersecurity policies and industry best practices to protect company and member data, incorporating security-conscious practices into daily work and completing required security training.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Typically requires 12 years of progressively responsible experience in insurance business development, market strategy, marketing, or related leadership roles.
• Demonstrated success leading market-facing or growth-oriented teams and influencing cross-functional strategy.
• Strong understanding of broker, agent, and wholesale distribution models.

Nice To Haves

• MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred.
• Experience in education, public sector, or institutional insurance markets strongly preferred.
• Experience identifying, evaluating, and supporting development of new insurance products, programs, or services.
• Experience in multiple lines of insurance preferred.

Responsibilities

• Translate UE’s strategic market engagement framework and growth priorities into executable business development plans across higher education and K–12 segments.
• Develop and oversee business development strategies for defined customer segments and channels, aligned with UE’s product, underwriting, and risk appetites.
• Coordinate campaigns and initiatives to expand engagement in existing markets and introduce UE offerings to new institutions and networks within the defined customer universe.
• Partner with Programs, Underwriting, and Risk Management leaders so field feedback on emerging risks, institutional needs, and competitive dynamics informs product direction and program priorities.
• Provide structured input on segment performance, broker feedback, and opportunity pipelines to support evaluation of market opportunities and growth initiatives.
• Gather, structure, and synthesize market feedback from brokers, members, and partners to identify emerging risks, evolving institutional needs, and competitive trends.
• Maintain high-quality data on segment performance, opportunities, and challenges within the defined customer universe.
• Collaborate with the Vice President for Strategic Market Engagement and other internal leaders to turn field-level insights into recommendations for product design, pricing considerations, and distribution strategy.
• Provide clear summaries of broker and member feedback, opportunity pipelines, and segment trends for executive- and Board-facing materials.
• Define, monitor, and report leading indicators for new initiatives, including lead generation, engagement quality, and early-stage pipeline health.
• Manage broker relationships across revenue channels and support the continued development of UE’s broker network.
• Strengthen relationships with brokers, agents, risk managers, and other external partners to support member acquisition, retention, and service excellence.
• Participate in broker advisory forums, meetings, and industry events, maintaining engagement with key market stakeholders and communicating UE’s value proposition.
• Serve as a senior escalation point for brokers and external constituents, coordinating responses with Programs, Underwriting, Claims, and other internal teams.
• Capture insights from broker, member, and partner engagement and feed them into market intelligence and strategic planning processes.
• Lead and supervise directors, territory managers, and business development staff responsible for member acquisition and sales execution across UE’s offerings.
• Own new business and expansion for the defined customer universe, focusing sales activity on priority institutions and segments.
• Develop and maintain territory plans, including broker assignments, prospect lists, and account plans reflecting UE’s underwriting appetite and strategic segment priorities.
• Ensure disciplined sales pipeline management through consistent CRM use, clear opportunity stages, and accurate forecasting.
• Provide senior support for key renewals, complex prospective accounts, and strategic opportunities where AVP-level engagement may help advance outcomes.
• Coordinate outreach and cross-selling across insurance programs and noninsurance offerings with internal stakeholders.
• Define, maintain, and refine a documented customer universe and prospect list for each territory, aligned with strategic segment priorities and risk appetite.
• Keep outreach, campaigns, and sales activities focused on the defined customer universe, using disciplined processes to add or remove institutions based on data and agreed criteria.
• Use operational data, business development reporting, and market feedback to guide priorities, allocate resources, and improve sales and business development effectiveness.
• Track and report key performance indicators, including lead generation, engagement quality, pipeline conversion, bind ratios, and retention outcomes.
• Oversee retrieval, quality, and analysis of relevant CRM and other system data for decision-making, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing business development team, including directors, territory managers, and account managers.
• Establish goals, performance expectations, and accountability aligned with UE’s strategic objectives and growth priorities.
• Promote insight-driven decision-making, disciplined sales management, and member-focused service within the business development organization.
• Actively participate on UE’s Council through appropriate oral and written contributions.
• Participate in or help lead cross-functional councils or forums supporting growth, market engagement, and operational coordination across Programs, Underwriting, Finance, Risk Management, Communications, and other areas.
• Assist with member, broker, and partner concerns and coordinate responses with relevant internal stakeholders.
• Follow cybersecurity policies and industry best practices, protect company and member data, incorporate security-conscious practices into daily work, and complete required security training.

Benefits

• Medical insurance with prescription and telehealth benefits, HSA with employer contribution, dental and vision insurance, employer-paid basic life insurance, and short- and long-term disability coverage.
• 401(k) with an immediate 3% employer safe harbor contribution; after one year, eligibility for an additional 7% employer profit-sharing contribution and a 25% match on the first 5% of employee contributions. Employer contributions are immediately vested.
• 24 days of PTO annually during the first two years, increasing to 30 days beginning in the third year, plus 11 paid holidays including a floating holiday.
• Performance-based bonus eligibility.
• Hybrid work environment, typically two to three days in the office per week following initial training.
• Employee events and monthly lunches.
• Opportunities to participate in Employee Resource Groups, the Social Committee, and IDEA.
• Inclusive and supportive workplace focused on opportunities for employees to contribute, connect, and succeed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior