Job Description
Company Details:
Own what's next. Add your experience and insight to our business.
Berkley Agribusiness works with ambitious agribusiness and food industry clients to help them own their futures. Our culture is built on the belief that everyone has the power to create the future they deserve. Every Berkley Agribusiness team member must have the courage to challenge the status quo, collaboratively working with our clients to find creative property and casualty insurance solutions that drive them to succeed. We depend on our ability to listen to our clients - and our experience to help them make fact-based decisions that help their businesses thrive.
Berkley Agribusiness is part of the W. R. Berkley Corporation (WRBC). Founded in 1967, WRBC is one of the nation's premier commercial lines property casualty insurance providers. All member insurance companies are rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company, and carry Standard & Poor's Financial Rating of A+ (Strong).
Learn more about how Berkley Agribusiness can help you Create Your Future at (url removed)
Responsibilities:
The AVP-Business Development is expected to create and perpetuate business opportunities through the management and growth of a national distribution network of agency & broker partners with defined Agribusiness and Food practice groups. This individual must have extensive experience in the insurance marketplace in addition to exuding strong leadership and underwriting acumen to effectively vet production opportunities. Additionally, the candidate must have successfully demonstrated the acumen to network with C-suite and executive leadership to establish strategic partnerships.
Strategically expands market access in the niche markets of Commercial Agribusiness and Food. Implements and monitors an effective agency management system that supports the company's profit and production objectives. Facilitate profitable business growth by building strong professional working relationships with business partners in key decision-making roles.
Analyzes competitive marketing data, market and industry research, loss ratios, mix of business, policy count, premium growth, hit ratios and business retention to identify territorial and agency needs. Develops and implements action plans that align with company growth and profitability strategies. Recognizes opportunities to penetrate new markets. Takes advantage of all critical opportunities to increase market share.
Performs due diligence on potential new domestic and international markets including developing definition, entry strategy, identifying scope and capital costs.
Leads and influences agencies through creation and execution of sales strategies that drive new sales, profit and retention. Identifies new distribution opportunities and recommends agency appointments, while increasing relevancy in existing agencies.
Develops, implements and manages an agency appointment and onboarding process that results in quality representation of the company. Ensures that business partners are familiar with the company's initiatives, products, policies, procedures and services. Develops and tracks metrics and success criteria for all sales/marketing programs and activities holding business partners accountable to profitability, production and volume commitments. Ensures the Company follows through on commitments to business partners.
Exemplifies collaboration, teamwork and unified goals when working with peer leaders in Underwriting, Risk Services and Claims to secure resources, vetting out business opportunities, securing accounts and delivering on value proposition of service. Leverages relationships with other W. R. Berkley Corporation companies to capitalize on business opportunities and efficiencies.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Insurance, Risk Management, Business Administration or related degree.
A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in the property and casualty insurance industry.
Individual must possess strong leadership and underwriting acumen. Ability to travel on a regular basis; lead people and get results through others; think ahead and plan over a 2-3 year time span; organize and manage multiple priorities; communicate effectively with all levels of the organization; attract, coach, and develop talent.
Must possess problem analysis and problem resolution skills at both a strategic and functional level; strong customer orientation; and interpersonal and communication skills including presentation skills. Regularly and consistently demonstrates commitment to company values and guiding principles.