Distribution Management Specialist

Encova•Charleston, WV

12d•$69,152 - $110,642•Remote

About The Position

Responsible to execute the distribution management strategy for assigned states across Encova’s footprint, including sourcing, recruiting, and appointing right-fit agencies aligned with strategic relationship, appetite, growth, and profitability objectives across all lines of business. Conducts distribution and pipeline analysis to identify opportunities, trends, and gaps, delivering actionable insights to business partners. Contributes to the development and continuous improvement of processes supporting Encova’s agency recruiting and relationship management strategy. Partners with internal stakeholders and builds strategic relationships with independent agents, agency associations, and industry networks to support sustainable, profitable growth.

Requirements

Minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience in agency distribution management, agency operations or underwriting with direct exposure to independent agencies is required.
Demonstrated working knowledge of the independent agency distribution model, include agency operations, broker relationships, and agency contractual structures.
Ability to clearly and effectively communicate Encova’s product offerings, value proposition, and underwriting appetite to prospective agencies across the Encova footprint.
Strong understanding of carrier sales strategies, underwriting guidelines, and appetite across multiple lines of business, familiarity with Encova products preferred.
Demonstrated analytical capability, including strong numeric reasoning, data interpretation, and problem-solving skills to evaluate agency prospects, pipeline trends, and performance metrics.
Proven ability to apply short- and long-term strategic thinking, including territory planning, prioritization of recruiting efforts, and alignment with organizational growth and profitability initiatives.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present recommendations, influence stakeholders, and facilitate productive discussions with agency partners and internal business teams.
Strong interpersonal, relationship-building, and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across functions and maintain credibility with agency partners and stakeholders.
Ability to travel within the assigned territory, including overnight travel, to support agency recruiting.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university preferred.
Professional insurance designation (e.g. CPCU,CIC, or similar advanced insurance education) preferred.

Responsibilities

Execute the distribution management strategy for assigned states to achieve agency appointment, new business growth, and profitability across the Encova footprint.
Execute agency recruiting and appointment strategies aligned with Encova’s appetite, market needs, and desired agency profile to support sustainable, profitable growth.
Maintain, apply, and continuously leverage Encova’s agency characteristics profile and minimum appointment standards to identify and prioritize right-fit agency partners.
Identify, evaluate, and qualify prospective agencies that meet Encova’s appointment criteria using defined agency profile standards, data analysis, and market insights.
Analyze distribution, pipeline, and performance reports to identify recruiting gaps, emerging needs, and opportunities within assigned territories and line of business.
Proactively source and cultivate new agency appointment opportunities in targeted territories through independent agency associations, industry networks, referrals, distribution management tools, etc.
Gather, analyze and synthesize qualitative and quantitative information on prospective agencies and provide clear, data-supported recommendations to business teams regarding suitability for an Encova appointment.
Lead and facilitate meetings with agency prospects and internal business partners to assess agency operations, strategic alignment, and growth potential to support informed appointment decisions.
Partner with agency managers and national relationship managers to evaluate additional locations for existing appointments and key national agency partnerships.
Support the onboarding process for newly appointed agencies and execute timely follow-up post-appointment to ensure readiness, alignment with expectations, and initiation of submission activity.
Service as an active liaison with state, regional, and national insurance associations (i.e. IIAB, PIA), strengthening Encova’s market presence and agency recruiting pipeline.
Provide input and support for the development and refinement of key metrics and reporting used to track agency recruiting, appointment activity, and performance metrics.
Monitor and evaluate performance of newly appointed and existing agencies using established metrics to identify trends, risk, and opportunities to drive optimal agency performance.
Assigned travel throughout the territory/footprint to support agency recruiting, evaluation, and relationship-building efforts.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of distribution management and agency growth objectives.