Operations Manager, Life New Business

Position is located in Montpelier, Vermont, or Addison, Texas, with a relocation package offered.

Please note that we do not offer visa sponsorship for this position.

Role Summary

We are seeking a forward-thinking, high-impact leader to join our team as Manager of Life New Business. This role is a critical leadership position designed to develop and groom the next generation of people leaders within our department, providing deep exposure to operational strategy, performance leadership, and talent development.

The Manager will oversee a team of Operations Leads that will support other Managers and Case Managers across multiple sites and Distribution channels. This role is highly cross-functional, requiring strong partnerships within the department-including Operations, Underwriting, Quality/Audit and Training-to drive an outstanding experience for our internal and external partners.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a cross-functional team across multiple sites to ensure efficient processing of Life New Business
• Champion a high-performance culture with a focus on leadership development, actively coaching team members with potential to advance into management
• Collaborate closely with internal teams across the department to streamline operations and enhance the end-to-end customer and agent experience
• Support and coach team members on building effective, service-oriented relationships with our distribution partners
• Model strong partner relationship skills and set expectations for professionalism, responsiveness, and trust-building in every external interaction
• Work with team members to resolve complex partner issues, turning challenges into opportunities to strengthen our partnerships
• Implement individual and team goals that align with broader departmental and organizational objectives
• Coach a team of individuals who act as a key point of escalation for high-priority agent and customer inquiries, ensuring swift and accurate resolution
• Model and uphold NLG values while promoting continuous learning, adaptability, and innovation
• Responsible for collaboration across distribution and enterprise-wide teams
• This position is presently onsite/hybrid with the expectation of being in the office four days per week with current campus days being Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (subject to change with advance notification and manager discretion).

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related field
• 5-10 years of leadership experience in the life and annuity industry preferred; solid understanding of distribution, marketing, and operations required
• Strong Command Skills (Leadership)
• Proven ability to build and develop high-performing teams and mentor future leaders
• Demonstrated effectiveness in collaborative, cross-functional environments
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to successfully pass a background check that may including fingerprinting

AI Proficiency Expectations:

At National Life Group, we view AI as an enabler of human potential. We use AI to help us work smarter, serve more clients, and keep our promises, while remaining a relationship-driven business where our people are our greatest strength.

All applicants are expected to:

• Leverage approved AI tools, where appropriate, to improve the efficiency, quality, and impact of their work.

• Stay curious and open to new AI-enabled ways of working.

• Exercise sound judgment by reviewing and validating AI-generated content.

• Maintain accountability for the accuracy, quality, fairness, and integrity of work products by adhering to National Life's AI guiding principles.

• Use AI responsibly and in accordance with company policies related to confidentiality, data privacy, security, compliance, retention, and intellectual property.

• Additional Expectations for AI-Forward Roles

Benefits

• Your benefits start day one and are flexible and customizable to your and your family's specific needs. Check out the BENEFITS of a Career at National Life!

Base Pay Range. The base pay range for this position is the range National Life reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position taking into account the wide variety of factors, including: prior experience and job-related knowledge; education, training and certificates; current business needs; and market factors. The final salary or hourly wages offered may be outside of this range based on other reasons and individual circumstances.

Additional Compensation and Benefits. The total compensation package for this position may also include a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. The successful candidate may also be eligible to participate in National Life's discretionary annual incentive programs, subject to the rules governing such programs. If hired, the employee will be in an "at-will position" and National Life reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

National Life is accepting applications for this role on an ongoing basis and the role remains open until filled.

Salary Pay Range

$67,500-$99,000 USD