VP, Personal Lines & Small Commercial

WalkerHughes•Carmel, IN

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

WalkerHughes Insurance is a founder-led independent insurance brokerage headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, serving individuals, families, farmers, and business owners across Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and Ohio. The brokerage offers personal lines, commercial lines, and employee benefits, built on a relationship-first approach to understanding each client's specific needs. The people who do well at WalkerHughes are builders. We look for those who want to do more than fill a role - people who see what could be better and take ownership of making it happen. Whether it's strengthening the team, improving how we serve clients, or deepening our roots in the communities we call home, our best team members contribute in ways that leave the organization, its people, and those communities better than they found them. Learn more at walkerhughes.com. This is a senior leadership role with full accountability for the personal lines and small commercial business unit — a segment that sits at the heart of our community-focused strategy. You will own the book, lead the team, and shape how we grow. This is not a role for someone who wants to manage the status quo; it’s for a leader who sees opportunity in this market and wants the authority and support to act on it. Success in year one means a high-performing team, improved retention metrics, and a clear growth plan that the executive team is excited to fund.

Requirements

Proven track record of growing a personal lines and/or small commercial business unit — demonstrated through revenue, retention, or team performance results.
A customer-obsessed mindset – you measure success by client outcomes and loyalty, not just premium, and you instill that orientation in your team.
Strong leadership skills with experience managing producers and service staff; able to hold people accountable while maintaining a high-trust culture.
High personal integrity with the ability to set clear expectations and model the standards you hold others to.
Skilled communicator — able to translate strategy into clear direction for the team and build credibility with carriers, clients, and executive leadership alike.
Pairs data with human judgment — fluent in metrics and trends, but grounds every decision in what truly serves clients and the team.
Proficient with agency management systems, CRM platforms, and Microsoft Office suite.
Experience preparing and managing P&L budgets.
10+ years of experience in personal lines and/or small commercial insurance, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
Deep knowledge of personal lines and small commercial products, markets, and underwriting processes.
Active P&C license required.
Must have a valid driver’s license, insured vehicle, and be legally eligible to drive.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in business, insurance, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
CIC, CPCU, or other designations a plus.

Responsibilities

Own the P&L for the personal lines and small commercial book, accountable for hitting revenue growth and retention targets agreed with the executive team.
Lead, develop, and hold accountable a team of community business advisors, producers, and account managers across the business unit.
Build and execute go-to-market strategies for personal lines and small commercial, identifying new client segments and cross-sell opportunities.
Set and monitor team performance metrics (retention rate, new business premium, client satisfaction); deliver regular coaching and structured feedback to every direct report.
Champion a customer-obsessed culture across the unit – anchoring decisions in both client data and behavior, as well as direct customer insights to deliver a best-in-class experience at every touchpoint.
Drive operational consistency across service workflows, ensuring processes that scale as the book grows without sacrificing the human relationship at the center of every policy.
Ensure full compliance with all carrier, regulatory, and company guidelines across the unit.
Develop and manage carrier and strategic partner relationships to strengthen placement options, appetite access, and remarketing capabilities.
Analyze market conditions, client needs, and competitor positioning to keep the unit’s strategy relevant and differentiated.
Partner with the executive team on budgeting, forecasting, and agency integration initiatives.
Foster a team culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Represent the agency at industry events, carrier meetings, and community functions to strengthen market presence and referral networks.