Agency Carrier Relations & Distribution Manager

Summary:

The Agency Carrier Relations & Distribution Manager serves as the primary liaison between the agency and its insurance carrier partners. This role mirrors the function of a carrier-side Territory Representative but operates internally to drive strategic alignment, optimize carrier performance, and ensure effective market access for producers.

This position is responsible for managing all carrier relationships, maintaining a deep understanding of underwriting appetite and product changes, and translating carrier strategy into actionable guidance that supports agency growth and profitability.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Carrier Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for carrier territory representatives and leadership teams

• Develop and maintain strong, strategic relationships with all carrier partners

• Coordinate and lead regular carrier meetings, performance reviews, and planning sessions

• Act as the escalation point for underwriting, service, and operational issues

Carrier Strategy & Market Intelligence

• Maintain a comprehensive, real-time understanding of:

  • Carrier underwriting appetite

  • Product offerings and coverage enhancements

  • Pricing trends and competitive positioning

• Monitor and communicate:

  • New carrier market entries

  • Carrier exits, restrictions, and appetite changes

  • Regulatory and compliance developments impacting carriers

Production & Performance Management

• Track production, hit ratios, and growth by carrier

• Identify opportunities to improve carrier mix, utilization, and profitability

• Align internal production with carrier goals, incentives, and contingency programs

• Partner with leadership to guide carrier placement strategy

Internal Communication & Training

• Translate carrier updates into clear, actionable guidance for sales and service teams

• Lead internal training on:

  • New products and coverage changes

  • Underwriting updates and appetite shifts

  • Carrier-specific processes and requirements

• Ensure consistent alignment with current carrier expectations across teams

Operational & Process Alignment

• Stay current on:

  • Carrier systems, platforms, and technology updates

  • Submission, binding, and servicing workflows

• Collaborate with operations and technology teams to:

  • Optimize quoting and placement processes

  • Improve efficiency across carrier integrations

Executive Liaison

• Serve as a bridge between carrier partners and agency leadership

• Provide regular reporting and insights on:

  • Carrier performance

  • Market trends

  • Strategic risks and opportunities

• Support executive decision-making related to carrier strategy and partnerships

Other Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Comply with all company policies and procedures.

• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position has direct reports. Manages staff and carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Strategic thinking and strong business acumen

• Exceptional relationship management and influencing skills

• Ability to synthesize complex information into actionable insights

• Strong communication, presentation, and facilitation skills

• High level of organization and attention to detail

• Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree from a Four (4) year College or University.

• 5+ years of experience in Property & Casualty insurance

• Prior experience as a Territory Representative, Marketing Representative, or Distribution Manager on the carrier side

• Strong understanding of:

  • Personal Lines and/or Small Commercial P&C

  • Carrier underwriting and distribution models

• Demonstrated knowledge of agency-carrier dynamics and production management

Preferred

• Experience working with independent agencies

• Familiarity with multiple carrier systems and rating platforms

• Exposure to multi-state regulatory environments

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• None Required

Work Complexity:

Problems and issues faced are moderately complex. Problems typically impact own department and maybe other departments. Problems are typically solved through drawing from prior experience and analysis of issues.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is normally performed in a typical interior office work environment which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unpleasant elements. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, religion, national origin, age (40 and over), disability, military status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Americans with Disabilities Act:

Applicants as well as employees who are or become disabled must be able to satisfactorily perform the essential job functions of the position either with or without reasonable accommodation. Applicants as well as employees are encouraged to meet with Human Resources as the organization shall review reasonable accommodations on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.

Job Responsibilities:

The statements reflect the general duties and responsibilities considered necessary to perform the essential functions of the job and should not be considered as an all-inclusive list of all the work requirements of the position. The company may change the specific job duties with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.