Crop Business Developer (Iowa)

Great American Insurance Group's member companies are subsidiaries of American Financial Group. We combine a "small company" culture where your ideas will be heard with "big company" expertise to help you succeed. With over 30 specialty and property and casualty operations, there are always opportunities here to learn and grow. At Great American, we value and recognize the benefits derived when people with different backgrounds and experiences work together to achieve business results.

The Crop Division of Great American has been helping generations of farmers take control of their risks since 1915. The Division is also one of a select few private companies authorized by the United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency (USDA RMA) to write MPCI policies. With six regional offices throughout the U.S., the teams provide tremendous expertise in the specific needs of farmers and crops.

About the role

This position is based in our Iowa territory and requires frequent day and overnight travel (60% - 80% of time) to visit agents and brokers throughout the state. As one of the largest Crop insurers in the country, Great American is recognized as a leader in this specialized marketplace.

Responsibilities

• Develop a productive agency plant/territory.
• Create a marketing plan for assigned territory, considering strengths, weaknesses, competitors, divisional objectives, and market conditions.
• Prospect, appoint, and manage agency relationships to achieve production and profitability objectives.
• Develop and execute agency action plans for achieving individual agency objectives.
• Review and analyze agents' production and results; implement or recommend corrective measures, including modification or cancellation of agency appointments.
• Act as a liaison between the company and producers to solve problems.
• Market and provide strategic training on company products and services to existing and prospective agencies.
• Interpret, explain, and educate agencies on products, practices, services, and technology solutions.
• Gather, analyze, and maintain competitive information; make recommendations based on competitive landscape and industry trends.
• For the line of business: make profit-oriented risk selection/rejection and pricing decisions within designated authority on lower to moderately complex multi-line risks.
• Monitor aggregate quality and pricing for the book of business in the assigned territory.
• Monitor persistency, placement, and agent/agency debt.
• Use independent judgment and initiative to achieve business goals.
• Maintain a high level of customer service.
• Bind risks in the field, within level of authority, and perform risk appraisals.
• Assist agents in producing business for large and/or complex accounts during critical periods.
• Build and maintain effective business relationships with internal and external customers/coworkers to attract and retain profitable business.
• Ensure consistency across the team when communicating with/responding to agents and brokers.
• Administer and apply insurance laws, regulations, underwriting rules, guidelines, and rating manual rules.
• Identify opportunities for and spearhead development of new business and/or programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred or equivalent work experience. Field of Study: Agriculture, Liberal Arts, Business, or a related discipline.
• Generally, a minimum of 6 months of related experience in sales and/or agriculture.
• Frequent day and overnight travel (up to 80%).

Qualifications

• Foundational understanding of agency dynamics, marketing, underwriting, and risk management.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to build relationships.
• Demonstrated decision-making ability and customer-centric mindset.

Pay

Salary Range: $65,000.00 - $80,000.00

Benefits

We offer competitive benefits packages for full-time and part-time employees*.

• Full-time employees have access to medical, dental, and vision coverage, wellness plans, parental leave, adoption assistance, and tuition reimbursement.
• Full-time and eligible part-time employees also enjoy Paid Time Off and paid holidays, a 401(k) plan with company match, an employee stock purchase plan, and commuter benefits.

*Excludes seasonal employees and interns.