VP, Distribution

Unified Life Insurance•Indianapolis, IN

13d

About The Position

The Vice President of Distribution leads the strategy, growth, and execution of the company's Independent Marketing Organization (IMO) distribution channel. The role generates sales revenue by developing and implementing sales and marketing strategies, building and maintaining relationships with IMOs, agencies, brokers, independent producers, and other market participants, and recruiting and retaining annuity producers. The VP drives profitable sales growth, expands market reach, strengthens distributor engagement, and works to meet revenue, premium-volume, and sales goals. This executive also provides leadership and direction to distribution and sales teammates, establishes goals and performance measures, and monitors sales drivers and results. The role requires deep knowledge of independent distribution and insurance and/or financial services markets, producer recruitment, sales execution, and relationship management. The VP develops strategic and operating plans, identifies market opportunities and partnerships, leads contract and compensation discussions, and coordinates with marketing, product, operations, compliance, and technology teams to support distributors. The role also monitors market and competitive activity, ensures distribution practices align with company and regulatory requirements, maintains forecasting and reporting processes, represents the company at industry and distributor events, and provides senior leaders with updates and recommendations. The position includes coaching and developing internal teammates, supporting advisors with product and process questions, and maintaining product, industry, and competitor knowledge.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent working experience.
7–10 years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Strong knowledge of and a track record of success within the independent distribution channel.
Demonstrated strong, current relationships within the IMO channel.
Demonstrated success building sales and distribution.
Demonstrated ability to recruit and retain top-selling talent.
Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
Public-speaking experience and strong presentation skills.
Ability to drive significant sales and service initiatives.
Ability to develop and execute organizational strategies.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
Exceptional problem-determination skills and high attention to detail.

Responsibilities

Achieve sales goals, premium volumes, and revenue targets by building rapport with IMOs, setting clear goals, and supporting agents and IMOs.
Develop and implement strategic plans to increase revenue and premium volume.
Establish sales objectives, growth plans, distribution priorities, and performance metrics.
Answer agent and IMO questions about products and explain product features, advantages, benefits, and state-specific variations.
Coordinate contact schedules and meet or call agents and IMOs to facilitate individual and group meetings, training, promotional seminars, and other discussions; prepare related materials, demonstrations, illustrations, and proposals.
Educate agents about product availability, website features, e-applications, and company requirements for applications in good order; assist with matching client needs to appropriate products and suitability requirements.
Assist with marketing campaigns and webinar topics, and host webinars as needed.
Partner with marketing, product, operations, compliance, and technology teams to support distributor needs.
Identify new market opportunities, strategic partnerships, and sources of profitable growth.
Lead contract negotiations, compensation discussions, business planning, and joint marketing initiatives.
Develop field strategies, sales campaigns, training programs, and producer-engagement programs.
Monitor sales performance, market trends, competitive activity, and distributor feedback.
Ensure distribution practices comply with company policies, regulatory requirements, and compliance standards.
Establish forecasting, reporting, pipeline-management, and performance-review processes.
Represent the company at industry conferences, partner meetings, and executive-level distributor events.
Lead, coach, and develop internal distribution and sales teams.
Provide senior leadership with updates on channel performance, risks, opportunities, and strategic recommendations.
Implement and monitor programs to attract, interview, hire, train, develop, and retain teammates.
Coach teammates, provide feedback, support their professional development, and identify and prepare teammates for advancement.
Help define and execute strategic and operating plans and ensure an appropriate risk-control environment.
Keep abreast of insurance-market developments through periodicals, seminars, professional organizations, brokers, and carriers.
Troubleshoot advisor product and process issues, use corporate resources, and refer advisors to appropriate areas to resolve problems.
Document appointments, sales calls, follow-ups, call campaigns, and sales opportunities in the CRM system.
Collaborate productively with home-office departments.
Listen to advisors to assess their needs and determine the sales support required to accomplish objectives and add value to products.
Maintain strong product knowledge, including relevant economic, industry, and competitor information, and prepare routine sales and marketing reports.
Perform other duties as assigned.