Alternate Locations: Chicago, IL (Illinois)

Work Arrangement:

Hybrid : Employee will work 3 days a week in a Lincoln office

Relocation assistance: is not available for this opportunity.

Requisition #: 76339

The Role at a Glance

We are excited to bring on an AVP of Relationship Management (Central) to join the Group Protection Sales & Distribution organization. In this role, you must be located in the Chicago, IL area as your regular presence in our Dallas office is required. This position has oversight responsibility in Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri, and the Dakotas

As the AVP of Relationship Management, you will lead a high-performing team responsible for driving client retention, profitable growth, and service excellence across Lincoln's Regional & Local Markets business. You will shape and execute relationship management strategies that strengthen client partnerships, enhance customer experiences, and deliver measurable business results.

In this role, you will provide strategic leadership and functional expertise, empowering your team to build trusted relationships with clients, brokers, and key stakeholders while driving retention, growth, and market expansion. You will partner across Sales, Underwriting, Operations, and Service teams to align business priorities, influence strategic decisions, and ensure exceptional outcomes for our clients and the business.

This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact by developing future leaders, advancing client-focused strategies, and helping shape the continued success of Lincoln's Group Protection business.

If you're a strategic, customer-focused leader who is passionate about developing talent, building strong relationships, and driving business growth, we'd love to hear from you. Read on to learn more about this exciting opportunity.

What you'll be doing

• Lead and develop a high-performing Account Management organization, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, engagement, and continuous growth while developing future leaders and building a strong talent pipeline.
• Shape and execute the Account Management strategy for Regional & Local Markets, aligning resources, service models, and client engagement approaches to drive retention, profitable growth, and exceptional customer outcomes.
• Drive client retention and business growth by partnering with Sales, Underwriting, and other key stakeholders to deliver effective renewal, growth, and relationship management strategies across a diverse portfolio of clients.
• Build and strengthen executive-level client and broker relationships, serving as a trusted advisor and ensuring clients realize maximum value from their partnership with Lincoln.
• Champion the voice of the customer, leveraging client insights, market trends, and feedback to influence business decisions, improve service delivery, and enhance the customer experience.
• Coach, mentor, and inspire talent at all levels, providing meaningful development opportunities, succession planning, and performance feedback that enables individuals and teams to thrive.
• Lead organizational transformation and continuous improvement efforts, optimizing operating models, enhancing processes, and leveraging data and technology to improve efficiency, service delivery, and business outcomes.
• Drive accountability for key performance measures, including client retention, growth, stewardship excellence, service performance, financial results, and employee engagement.
• Partner cross-functionally to deliver strategic solutions, ensuring alignment across Sales, Service, Underwriting, Operations, and Product teams to meet evolving client needs and business objectives.
• Influence the future of the organization by identifying emerging trends, recommending innovative solutions, and helping shape the long-term strategy of the Account Management function.

What we're looking for

Must-have experience (Required):

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

Nice-to have Experience (Preferred):

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

Travel Requirements

• Up to 50%

Application Deadline

Applications will be accepted through September 11, 2026, and the posting may be taken down early due to applicant volume.

What's in it for you:

• Clearly defined career tracks and job levels, along with associated behaviors for each of Lincoln's core values and leadership attributes
• Leadership development and virtual training opportunities
• PTO/parental leave
• Competitive 401K and employee benefits
• Free financial counseling, health coaching and employee assistance program
• Tuition assistance program
• Work arrangements that work for you
• Effective productivity/technology tools and training

The pay range for this position is $150.000 - $300,000 with anticipated pay for new hires between the minimum and midpoint of the range and could vary above and below the listed range as permitted by applicable law. Pay is based on non-discriminatory factors including but not limited to work experience, education, location, licensure requirements, proficiency and qualifications required for the role. The base pay is just one component of Lincoln's total rewards package for employees. In addition, the role may be eligible for the Annual Incentive Program, which is discretionary and based on the performance of the company, business unit and individual. Other rewards may include long-term incentives, sales incentives and Lincoln's standard benefits package.