AVP, Market Director (Gulf Region)

Alternate locations: Dallas, TX; Houston, TX. This is a remote work-at-home position for employees residing outside a commutable distance to an office location. Relocation assistance may be provided within company guidelines.

About the Role

We are seeking an AVP, Market Director to join the Group Protection Sales & Distribution organization. In this role, you must be located in the territory and will work in a hybrid environment if near one of our sales or key offices. As the AVP, Market Director, you will play a critical leadership role in driving market growth, developing high-performing sales talent, and delivering exceptional client outcomes. You will execute market strategy, accelerate sales performance, and ensure alignment across sales, service, and pod models. This role involves translating enterprise and segment priorities into actionable plans, building organizational and sales capability, and fostering collaboration across cross-functional teams to achieve growth objectives, enhance client experience, and drive operational excellence.

This is an opportunity to lead and develop a talented sales organization, shape market strategy, and influence business results while creating an environment where individuals and teams can thrive.

Responsibilities

• Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing Group Protection sales organization, coaching leaders and sales professionals to reach their full potential while building a strong culture of accountability, collaboration, and results.
• Build the next generation of sales talent and leaders by attracting, developing, and retaining top performers, creating meaningful growth opportunities, and strengthening succession pipelines across the organization.
• Drive market growth and business results by translating strategy into action, optimizing sales performance, and ensuring teams focus on opportunities that deliver the greatest impact.
• Partner across the business to deliver exceptional client experiences, working closely with sales, service, underwriting, and operational leaders to create seamless solutions for brokers, employers, and customers.
• Champion innovation, change, and continuous improvement by leveraging market insights, data, and technology to enhance sales effectiveness, improve operational efficiency, and accelerate growth.
• Serve as a strategic leader and trusted business partner, influencing key decisions, aligning teams around shared goals, and shaping the future direction of the market and organization.

Requirements

• 4-year/Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience (4 years of experience in lieu of Bachelor’s).
• 10+ years in sales directly related to the specific responsibilities of this position, including 5 years of managerial, supervisory, and/or demonstrated leadership experience, including influencing senior management or critical stakeholders.
• Experience in strategic planning and execution.
• Strong presentation skills with demonstrated ability to influence at all levels of management through clear, informed, and logical discussions or presentations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate knowledgeably and credibly with senior management and internal constituents.
• Licensing required upon hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Group insurance or sales experience.
• Proven sales acumen.
• Demonstrated leadership and work ethic experience through campus or community involvement.

Travel

Up to 50%.

Benefits

• Clearly defined career tracks and job levels, with associated behaviors for Lincoln’s core values and leadership attributes.
• Leadership development and virtual training opportunities.
• PTO and parental leave.
• Competitive 401K and employee benefits.
• Free financial counseling, health coaching, and employee assistance program.
• Tuition assistance program.
• Flexible work arrangements and effective productivity tools and training.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $400,000 - $500,000, with anticipated pay for new hires between the minimum and midpoint of the range. Pay may vary above or below the listed range as permitted by applicable law and is based on non-discriminatory factors including work experience, education, location, licensure requirements, proficiency, and qualifications. The base pay is one component of Lincoln’s total rewards package, which may also include eligibility for the Annual Incentive Program (discretionary and based on company, business unit, and individual performance), long-term incentives, sales incentives, and standard benefits.