VP Agency Operations Contracting and Incentive Compensation

AmeriLife•Clearwater, FL

About The Position

The Vice President, Agency Operations Contracting and Incentive Compensation (C&IC) is a senior executive accountable for end to end performance, scalability, and compliance across Agency Operations service delivery, including all Contracting and Incentive Compensation functions spanning Health and Wealth business models. This leader sets a strong, can do tone and cultivates a proactive, solutions oriented service culture—anticipating agent and affiliate needs, removing roadblocks, and elevating the customer experience through clear ownership and responsive partnership. The role translates enterprise standards, operating models, governance, and transformation priorities into disciplined, high quality operational execution while driving efficiency through traditional process improvement methods (e.g., Lean/Six Sigma, standard work, automation) and emerging AI capabilities that streamline workflows, improve accuracy, and accelerate cycle times. Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Operations and Transformation, this leader champions operational excellence and enterprise change to deliver a seamless, scalable, high performance model that supports business growth and advisor success.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in a related field (insurance or financial services preferred); Master's degree is a plus
10+ years of experience in an executive leadership role within operations or enterprise transformation in the financial services industry
Extensive experience leading to both transformational initiatives and large-scale, day-to-day operational teams
Proven experience in a regulated environment (e.g., SOX) and strong understanding of compliance protocols defined by the organization and industry
Demonstrated ability to build, lead, and mature high-performing, geographically distributed teams
Exceptional strategic planning, analytical, implication thinking and problem-solving skills
Excellent communication, presentation, and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage and influence a diverse range of stakeholders
Demonstrated executive presence with the ability to communicate complex operational and transformation topics clearly and concisely to senior leaders and boards
Proven ability to influence and align cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., Finance, HR, IT, Legal, and business leadership) and drive decisions without direct authority
Strong change leadership skills, including the ability to lead organizations through ambiguity, manage resistance, and sustain adoption across multi-year transformations
Highly collaborative leader with a customer/service mindset, focused on improving agent and affiliate experience through consistent, high-quality service delivery

Responsibilities

Drive the multi-year, enterprise-wide strategy for Contracting and Incentive Compensation (C&IC), integrating both the CoE's transformational efforts and the Service Delivery team's operational excellence
Accountable for the execution and maturity of the integrated C&IC operating model, ensuring alignment with corporate vision and scalability for future growth
Guide the organization through a complex, multi-year transition of C&IC practices, overcoming obstacles and managing stakeholder expectations throughout the process and aligning with compliance requirements
Foster a culture of continuous innovation, leveraging new technologies, automation, AI and processes to meet evolving business models and scale operations effectively
Accountable for the overall performance of the C&IC function, including the achievement of all operational KPIs, financial targets, and quality standards for the CoE and Service Delivery teams
Establish and maintain robust governance, controls, and compliance standards for all C&IC processes, with specific attention to regulated environments (e.g., SOX) and standard operating procedures
Utilize performance metrics and business intelligence from both the CoE and Service Delivery teams to provide actionable, data-driven insights to executive leadership
Champion initiatives that enhance the customer experience for all stakeholders, including agents, marketers, and affiliates, as measured by satisfaction metrics (CSAT, NPS)
Provide strategic guidance, coaching, and mentorship to the leaders of both the C&IC CoE and C&IC Service Delivery teams
Ensure the recruitment, development, and retention of top talent within the Contracting and Commissions organization, fostering a collaborative and high-achieving culture
Cultivate a positive and productive team culture that prioritizes performance, collaboration, and continuous development across both direct report teams
Serve as the primary point of communication and escalation for C&IC matters, regularly reporting to executive leadership and the Steering Board
Ensure seamless collaboration and alignment with key functions such as Finance, HR, IT, and affiliate leadership to support the C&IC strategy
Accountable for the performance, management, and budgets of all vendor relationships supporting the C&IC function (i.e.: Agent Sync, Varicent, Vertafore, Unqork/Auxo, Enlighten, etc.)