Manager of Strategic Partner Relationships - HYBRID
About The Position
The Strategic Partner Relationships Manager is responsible for driving profitable growth for AIS Insurance by sourcing, developing, and managing strategic partnerships that generate new customer acquisition and premium volume. This role blends strategy, sales, and relationship management, working closely with carrier partners, digital distribution partners, lead providers, agencies, and internal stakeholders across AIS and Mercury Insurance. The role requires periodic domestic travel, up to approximately 20% of the time, including overnight trips typically lasting 1–3 days, to support partner meetings, industry events, and conferences. This role requires a strategic thinker with a hands-on operator mindset, comfortable owning a pipeline of opportunities from concept through execution while continually seeking ways to optimize performance.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in business, Insurance, Finance, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 5+ years of experience in business development, partnerships, account management, or sales in insurance, financial services, or a closely related industry.
- Experience working with personal auto, homeowners, and/or commercial insurance products.
- Strong financial acumen with the ability to understand P&L drivers, build simple business cases, and manage to ROI and profitability targets.
- Proven ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Strategic and analytical thinking – able to connect market opportunities to AIS strategy and make data-driven decisions.
- Relationship management – trusted partner who can influence without authority and navigate complex organizations.
- Execution & project management – takes ownership from idea through implementation, with strong follow-through.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills: Demonstrated ability to plan, prioritize, and execute across multiple partnerships, initiatives, and stakeholders simultaneously with minimal supervision.
- Ability to translate business needs into AI/analytics requirements, collaborating effectively with data, product, and technology teams.
- Attention to detail: Ability to manage complex agreements, timelines, and performance metrics while maintaining accuracy and follow-through.
Nice To Haves
- Experience managing geographically dispersed partners and coordinating cross-functional efforts in a remote or hybrid work environment.
Responsibilities
- Identify, evaluate, and prioritize new business opportunities (distribution partners, lead sources, affinity programs, agencies, AI-enabled partners and platforms and emerging channels) that align with AIS growth objectives.
- Build and maintain a robust opportunity pipeline, including initial outreach, qualification, business case development, and deal execution.
- Develop and present business cases and proposals, including projected volume, conversion, ROI, and operational impacts.
- Negotiate and implement partnership agreements, working with Legal, Compliance, and Finance as needed.
- Ability to translate business needs into AI/analytics requirements, collaborating effectively with data, product, and technology teams.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned partners and accounts, ensuring strong, long-term relationships.
- Conduct regular performance reviews with partners (volume, quality, conversion, revenue, customer experience) and drive joint action plans to improve results.
- Coordinate marketing and campaign activity with partners and AIS Marketing to support acquisition goals.
- Represent AIS professionally at partner meetings, industry events, and conferences.
- Own financial and operational performance for assigned channels and accounts, including tracking results against volume, revenue, and profitability targets.
- Champion AIS and Mercury values and brands in all external interactions and internal collaborations.
Benefits
- Competitive compensation
- Paid time off (vacation time, sick time, paid Company holidays, volunteer hours)
- Incentive bonus programs (potential for holiday bonus, referral bonus, and performance-based bonus)
- Medical, dental, vision, life, and pet insurance
- 401 (k) retirement savings plan with company match
- Engaging work environment
- Promotional opportunities
- Education assistance
- Professional and personal development opportunities
- Company recognition program
- Health and wellbeing resources, including free mental wellbeing therapy/coaching sessions, child and eldercare resources, and more
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
