VP, Client Development

Position Title: VP, Client Development - Commercial Lines

Location: The ideal candidate will be located in Omaha, NE, but strong candidates in Lincoln, NE will be considered.

Classification: Exempt

Role Overview:

The VP, Client Development - Commercial Lines is responsible for driving business growth through the acquisition of new commercial accounts and the management of long-term business client relationships. This role involves identifying prospective commercial clients, conducting thorough needs assessments, and offering tailored commercial insurance solutions that align with their operational and financial goals. The VP, Client Development is also responsible for exceeding sales targets, negotiating favorable rates with commercial carriers and underwriters, and ensuring all policy paperwork is processed accurately and in compliance with industry standards. This role requires staying informed on commercial lines trends, legislative and regulatory changes, and market conditions to provide expert-level advisory services. By providing exceptional service and expertise across commercial property, casualty, and liability coverage, this role ensures long-term client retention and contributes significantly to the overall success of the agency.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive commercial lines business growth by identifying and qualifying leads, building long-term client relationships, and expanding the commercial client base through networking, referrals, centers of influence, and digital marketing initiatives.
• As a trusted commercial insurance consultant, conduct comprehensive needs assessments to understand clients' business operations, risk exposures, and coverage requirements, and recommend customized commercial coverage solutions.
• Negotiate with commercial underwriters to determine appropriate policy terms, conditions, and pricing across lines including general liability, commercial property, workers' compensation, commercial auto, umbrella, and specialty coverages, ensuring solutions in the clients' best interest.
• Present commercial insurance products to business clients, educating them on coverage options, risk management strategies, and market trends, and closing deals that align with their unique business needs and financial goals.
• Track and analyze sales performance and commercial client satisfaction to achieve goals using key performance indicators (KPIs) such as new business written, retention rates, policy conversions, referral generation, pipeline development, and achievement of new business growth targets.
• Maintain ongoing commercial client relationships, address policy inquiries, provide guidance during claims, conduct annual account reviews, and ensure continued client satisfaction and long-term retention.
• Coordinate the collection of all relevant account data, working collaboratively with the Commercial Lines service team, insurance carriers, and claims resources to ensure accurate and timely policy processing, including paperwork completion, compliance with company procedures, and adherence to industry standards and regulations.
• Stay at the forefront of commercial lines industry trends, regulatory changes, emerging risks, and company product offerings to provide expert-level advisory services to business clients.
• Take full ownership and responsibility for the development and stewardship of a commercial book of business, coordinating efforts with the client services team, insurance carriers, claims handling, and additional resources necessary to retain clients and develop new business opportunities.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Education, Certificates, or Licenses:

• Bachelor's / Associate's degree in Business, Finance, Risk Management, or related field preferred
• Property & Casualty License required

Skills/Abilities

• Proven track record of building and growing a commercial lines book of business and success in new client acquisition
• Strong knowledge of commercial insurance products including general liability, property, workers' compensation, commercial auto, umbrella, and specialty lines
• Strong networking skills to build and foster relationships with business owners, executives, and industry professionals
• Ability to analyze complex commercial risk and present tailored insurance solutions to business decision-makers
• Proficiency in agency management systems, CRM platforms, and Microsoft Office Suite

Personal Attributes

• Integrity & Confidentiality: Demonstrates high ethical standards and discretion when handling sensitive commercial client and business information.
• Team-Oriented & Collaborative: A proactive team player who values collaboration and fosters strong relationships with employees, commercial clients, carriers, and industry partners.
• Industry & Sector Knowledge: Seeks to stay informed of new commercial products, regulatory changes, emerging risks, and market strategies within the commercial lines space.
• Strong Communication & Presentation: Demonstrates the ability to exchange ideas, thoughts, opinions, knowledge, and data between commercial clients, carriers, and staff to ensure all parties are understood with clarity and completeness.

Work Environment:

• On-site / In-office in Omaha or Lincoln.
• Travel expectations for this role will vary based on the Producer's stage of book development and market territory. Overnight travel is generally minimal; the majority of travel is expected to be local or regional in nature.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position as described above.