Sr. Relationship Manager

National Life Insurance Company • Montpelier, VT

4d • $101,250 - $148,500 • Onsite

About The Position

The Sr. Relationship Manager owns onboarding, operational relationships, and business readiness for assigned Distribution partners. The role connects Distribution partners with CIG and coordinates across Distribution, Service & Operations, technology, training, and quality-of-business functions to deliver an effective experience that supports field growth, adoption of new capabilities, and customer service.

The role develops deep knowledge of assigned partners’ business models, operating practices, technology, service expectations, and growth priorities. It establishes relationship plans and operating approaches, exercises independent judgment on most decisions, and mobilizes functional partners to resolve complex cross-functional issues. It turns partner insight into recommendations for improvements to processes, capabilities, training, technology, and the overall partner experience, and communicates results to leaders across disciplines.

Success is measured by partner adoption, improved experience, reduced friction, and business impact. The position currently requires onsite work four days per week, Monday through Thursday, on core days. The schedule and core days may change with advance notification and manager discretion. Travel may be required as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 11 or more years of related work experience; or an advanced degree and 8 or more years of related experience; or 15 or more years of total equivalent work experience.
• Related experience in life insurance, annuities, financial services, relationship management, distribution support, Operations, business readiness, or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of life insurance and/or annuity distribution and the operational processes supporting new business, underwriting, policy issuance, service, and field support.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex partner relationships, onboarding, operational initiatives, or cross-functional problem solving.
• Ability to independently evaluate ambiguous business issues, identify appropriate approaches, and influence outcomes without direct authority.
• Experience using operational metrics, partner insight, and business context to identify trends and recommend improvements.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, and facilitation skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and significant areas of accountability in a matrixed environment.
• Ability to travel as needed.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and relevant collaboration, CRM, workflow, and reporting tools.
• Applicants must be able to work without visa sponsorship.
• AI proficiency expectations include sound judgment in reviewing AI-generated content and adherence to company policies on confidentiality, data privacy, security, compliance, retention, and intellectual property.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting Field Leaders, agencies, advisors, key accounts, or other Distribution-facing relationships.
• Knowledge of distribution models such as MLM, IMO, Direct, Brokerage, or comparable structures.
• Experience with business readiness, implementation planning, testing, adoption, and post-implementation assessment.
• Experience leading continuous-improvement or cross-functional change initiatives.
• LOMA, LIMRA, project-management, process-improvement, change-management, or other relevant professional certification.

Responsibilities

• Own the operational health, readiness, and experience of assigned Distribution relationships, serving as a primary connection between partners and CIG.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of each partner’s structure, business practices, growth priorities, technology, service expectations, training needs, and quality-of-business considerations.
• Establish and manage relationship plans, governance routines, service expectations, communication approaches, and operating practices, building networks with partners and internal functional teams.
• Contribute to department objectives and policies for supporting Distribution partners, and set short-term goals for the area of accountability aligned with those objectives.
• Anticipate emerging operational requirements and engage appropriate functional teams before they become significant partner or business issues.
• Lead the Operations experience for partner onboarding and significant business, product, process, or technology changes, from planning through stabilization.
• Establish readiness plans integrating milestones, responsibilities, dependencies, education, communications, risks, and success measures.
• Translate operational and technology changes into clear business implications and practical guidance for Distribution partners.
• Monitor adoption, early performance, and partner feedback; identify barriers and drive adjustments when intended outcomes are not achieved.
• Lead resolution of complex cross-functional partner matters by framing business issues, clarifying accountability, aligning stakeholders, and maintaining momentum through closure.
• Use independent judgment to determine when established approaches are sufficient and when new solutions, escalation, or leadership decisions are required.
• Influence timelines and expectations and negotiate priorities within the department when partner needs conflict with other demands.
• Maintain visibility into material commitments, risks, dependencies, and decisions, and communicate results to stakeholders and leaders across disciplines.
• Balance Distribution advocacy with customer, regulatory, risk, operational, financial, and enterprise considerations.
• Integrate operational metrics, partner feedback, adoption results, service trends, and quality-of-business information into a consolidated view of relationship performance.
• Identify recurring patterns and translate material themes into recommendations for process, technology, training, communication, or service improvements.
• Lead or support root-cause analysis and cross-functional improvement efforts to reduce recurring friction and improve scalability.
• Demonstrate relationship-management value through stronger partner confidence, improved adoption, reduced handoffs, timely resolution, and measurable operating improvements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Leverage approved AI tools where appropriate, remain open to AI-enabled ways of working, validate AI-generated content, maintain accountability for work products, and use AI responsibly under company policies.

Benefits

• Benefits start on day one and are flexible and customizable to employees’ and their families’ needs.
• Medical, financial, and other benefits may be included, depending on the position offered.
• 401(k) eligibility.
• Paid time off benefits, including vacation and sick time.
• Parental leave.
• May be eligible for discretionary annual incentive programs.

What This Job Offers

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