Business Development Manager

About the role

This is an individual contributor role that offers an immense opportunity to develop strategic relationships with current and potential producers of profitable business across the eastern region of the United States. This role will require significant travel, up to 70% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Develop relationships with prospective crop insurance agents in South Dakota or Iowa and recruit them to place their business with ProAg.
• Work with currently appointed crop insurance agents to place more of their business with ProAg.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities with new agents through a variety of means, including but not limited to cold calling, networking, trade shows, building and developing relationships with agents, and strategic partnerships.
• Monitor competitors, industry trends, and client insights to identify marketplace characteristics to shape ProAg’s strategic competitive advantage.
• Conduct targeted sales outreach to prospective agents, cultivating long-term relationships that align with ProAg’s business objectives.
• Proactively collaborate with agents to deliver tailored solutions that address their business needs and drive profitable premium growth based on ProAg’s business goals.
• Cultivate strong relationships with current books of business through periodical on-site visits and resolving client issues in a timely fashion.
• Develop and maintain a database of current and prospective producers.
• Maintain a deep understanding of the crop insurance business and ProAg’s Standard Reinsurance Agreement (SRA).
• Ensure compliance with organization policies and government regulations, including all pertinent dates, which include the Sales Closing Date (SCD), Acreage Reporting Date (ARD), Production Reporting Date (PRD), fund designation, and accounting cutoff.
• Track producer quote ratio, close ratio, renewal persistency, and loss ratio and adapt sales strategy as needed.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with sales, marketing, product, finance, and operations to align go-to-market efforts and client solutions.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, or related field, or the equivalent education or experience.
• 6 years of relevant and progressive professional experience in sales.
• Crop Insurance experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with an emphasis on confidentiality, tact, and diplomacy.
• Exceptional organizational and analytical skills, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously while also working independently.

Skills

• Strategic relationship-building.
• Effective communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
• Knowledge of crop insurance and ProAg’s Standard Reinsurance Agreement (SRA).
• Understanding of industry trends and competitor analysis.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefit package.
• Strong learning culture with ongoing development opportunities.
• Opportunities for growth and career advancement.
• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, with eligibility beginning on your first day of employment.
• Basic life and disability insurance.
• 401(k) plan with 6% company match.
• 20 days of PTO, three floating holidays, approximately 10 paid holidays, and volunteer time off.
• Paid parental leave.
• Access to our award-winning wellness program, including mental health services, fitness network membership, and a complimentary Headspace subscription.
• Student loan matching program.
• Employee discount program.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $99,600 - $122,000, which includes geographic adjustments, where applicable.

Schedule

Full-time position with significant travel required, up to 70% of the time.