Who are we?

Western National Insurance Group is a private mutual insurance company with over 120 years of experience serving customers' property-and-casualty insurance needs in the Midwestern, Northwestern, and Southwestern United States. Known as “The Relationship Company®,” we define success as a measure of the relationships we’ve built over time. In everything that we do, we know that delivering a friendly and helpful interaction makes for a better experience for everyone involved. That’s the power of “nice”. At Western National, nice is something we work to bring to every person and organization with whom we partner and serve.

Does this opportunity interest you?

Western National is seeking a Territory Sales Manager for the state of Iowa to join our team!

The individual in this role will have the opportunity to proactively build new agency relationships through prospecting and to manage all facets of existing working relationships between Western National Insurance and independent agents, acting as a liaison between various Western National departments and independent agents.

What are the responsibilities and opportunities of this role?

• Builds and maintains strong relationships with existing and potential customers, understands their needs, and provides solutions that meet those needs.
• Works closely with other departments such as marketing, claims, and underwriting to ensure a seamless customer experience and to align sales strategies with overall company goals.
• Analyzes sales metrics and performance data to identify areas for improvement and to develop strategies for increasing sales effectiveness.
• Manages agency production and claims experience through report analysis, reviews production and profitability results with agency personnel, follows up to ensure sales objectives are achieved, and independently recommends and implements appropriate corrective action plans.
• Effectively establishes regular meeting schedules with each assigned agency to achieve corporate objectives through in-person agency visits with limited assistance needed to execute.
• Drives new business submissions to meet corporate growth initiatives for the territory by maintaining and strengthening relationships.
• Promotes and supports agency personnel by facilitating training on company products and systems, including internet-based technologies and new sales techniques in the agency office.
• Acts as a liaison between the agencies and the company to communicate changes and develop opportunities for new and renewal sales.
• Works with all members of the Agency Sales Team to work toward established annual sales and production plans.
• Effectively develops talking points and a sales approach to ensure proper and appropriate messaging aligned with Western National's philosophy.
• Works with SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) for product and communication meetings.
• Analyzes agency reports and develops strategies and action plans to effectively manage assigned agencies and territories.
• Understands and reports new business opportunities, understands competitor activities, and stays informed about industry trends.
• Develops and implements appropriate rehabilitation and / or termination programs when necessary.
• Develops and implements growth plans with key agencies.
• Continuously seeks ways to improve sales processes, enhance team performance, and increase customer satisfaction.
• Leads sales presentations and negotiations with key clients and prospects.
• Researches and recommends new agencies for appointment by recruiting, interviewing, and assessing the fit of the agency per established new appointment guidelines.
• Assists agencies in resolving complex complaints regarding underwriting, claims, service, or other internal Western National areas.
• Collaborates with underwriting to develop core agency strategies and support account-level decisions, and mentors underwriters in understanding agency dynamics and effective communication.
• Works closely with all company departments to develop a high level of teamwork and cooperation to provide excellent service to agents and policyholders.
• Consistently acts according to our customer experience standards, including responding quickly, maintaining a positive attitude, building rapport, demonstrating empathy, managing the customer’s expectations, using the proper communication channel for the situation, and taking ownership to ensure the customer’s issue is resolved.
• Proficient ability to demonstrate empathy and patience when dealing with customers, especially when they are facing stressful situations or complex issues.
• Ability to quickly and effectively address customer inquiries, resolve issues, and find solutions that meet customer needs with minimal assistance of a leadership support system.
• Seeks feedback from customers to identify areas for improvement and works with various departments to implement changes.
• Proficient in handling complaints and conflicts, striving to resolve them in a way that maintains customer satisfaction and loyalty.

What are the must-have qualifications for a candidate?

• Valid and unrestricted driver’s license with acceptable driving record.
• Ability to travel frequently (75–80%), including overnight in-state travel (15–200-mile radius).
• Property-and-casualty insurance company sales and marketing experience, or equivalent agency-facing property-and-casualty industry experience.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proven ability to communicate with individuals at all levels of an organization.
• Excellent conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently.
• Detail-oriented and accurate.
• Maintains a professional demeanor, shows respect, and demonstrates integrity in all interactions with customers.
• Proficient use of various core systems, office and computer equipment, and software packages.
• Understands and demonstrates proficiency in negotiations and leveraging in business transactions.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills to clearly explain insurance terms, policies, and procedures to agency partners, with the ability to actively listen and understand customer needs and concerns.
• Proficient understanding of insurance regulation and compliance requirements to ensure all sales activities adhere to legal standards.
• Serves or co-leads project groups to assist in the evolution of coverages, policies, and procedures, and brings forward new ideas and innovations. 
• Proficient understanding of risk management concepts and how they apply to insurance products and client needs.
• Bachelor's degree in business or marketing; experience in lieu of degree acceptable.

What will our ideal candidate have?

• Strong understanding of insurance products and services, including coverage options, exclusions, and benefits, with the ability to provide accurate and relevant information to customers.
• CIC or CPCU designation preferred or a record of successful completion of insurance-related continuing education courses.

Compensation overview

The targeted hiring range for this role is $88,455 - $123,880, annually. However, the base pay offered may vary depending on the job-related knowledge, skills, credentials, and experience of each candidate, as well as other factors such as the scope and location of the role. Candidates looking for compensation outside of the posted range are encouraged to apply and will be considered based on their individual qualifications and / or may be considered for other positions.

Western National Insurance Group reserves the right to fill this position at a level above or below the level included in this posting.

Culture and Total Rewards

Western National has long been known as “The Relationship Company®” and caring for our employees is part of that relationship commitment. We value connectiveness, empowerment, and accountability, and we believe that our employees are our biggest asset. 

Currently ranked as the 41st largest private company by revenue in Minnesota (Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal), Western National has earned accolades year-over-year as an employer of choice and garnered multiple awards for wellness in the workplace. Western National has also been named a Top Workplace by the Star Tribune for consecutive years. In addition, the Group is consistently recognized as a Ward’s 50 property-and-casualty insurance company for its outstanding financial results.

Western National offers full-time employees a significant Total Rewards Package, including:

• Medical insurance plan options and other standard employee benefits, including dental insurance, vision benefits, life insurance, disability insurance, and more!
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) Plan (participants are eligible for 100% matching on the first 6% of their contributions)
• Wellbeing Program, including onsite fitness studio
• Paid Time Off – including holiday, vacation, and volunteer
• 100% company-paid tuition reimbursement for approved job-relevant coursework and access to The Institutes (Risk and insurance education)
• Paid parental leave
• Bonus opportunities

Western National believes in supporting balance between work and life by providing a flexible work environment, which includes a variety of hybrid and remote work arrangements designed to balance individual, job, department, and company needs.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Western National provides employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.