Position: Full Time, Salaried opportunity with benefits Plan

Location: Richmond, VA (West Creek Campus Office)

Schedule: Monday - Friday 8 am-4:30 pm, schedule supports a 37.5 hr work week

PRIMARY DUTIES

Information Management

• Process and track new agency appointments.
• Track and maintain counts of active appointed agencies and active agency locations.
• Track and create agency termination reports.
• Maintain agent database and ensure system accuracy
• Maintain agent commission schedules in various databases and formats; facilitate commission changes as needed
• Assist in annual commission budgeting process.
• Maintain monthly sales expense budget data
• License and appoint agency personnel to do business with Countryway. Keep an updated list of appointed producers and agencies in every state in which Countryway does business and ensure compliance with State Insurance Departments.
• Set up, change, and delete agency users in FINYS, Farm rating, and Core Logic systems.
• Publish weekly report of new business policy counts by agent/state. Publish monthly retention calculation.

Communications

• Manage a calendar of agency communications needed on monthly basis.
• Help develop and publish Country Post and other marketing & sales communication.

• Monitor Customer Connection Emails related to the sales function

• Assist with management and posting of content on social media channels
• Assist with regular development of content and information to be posted on Countryway websites for both agents and policyholders. Act as liaison with IS to facilitate and schedule information posting.
• Regularly monitor website for outdated information, nominate content for removal/updating, and help create new content for both agents and policyholders.
• Prepare monthly newsletter to keep Countryway products, services, and general information at forefront of agents’ minds.
• Monitor social media and online content feedback (such as google reviews) and elevate issues to Director of Sales.

General Service

• Act as liaison for the Sales & Marketing department with internal and external clients.
• Provide Loss Run information upon written request signed by the insured.
• Perform password resets for agency personnel for Countryway Connection.
• Receive invoice and/or check requests, obtain approval, code properly and send to the accounting department.
• Manage the coordination of agency meetings and events including facilities, contracts, attendees, audio visual needs, content slide formatting and feedback coordination.
• Process state licensing invoices.

Agent Service

• Process and validate the monthly agent commission process and assist with agent questions, research, etc.
• Receive and process commission EFT authorization forms and forward the information to the accounting department.
• Provide outstanding customer service and answer questions as needed.
• Register agencies with Team-Up Download when requested, provide support in troubleshooting issues agent may incur and confer with vendor when needed.
• Ensure all agents can navigate through CWY websites using available tools and providing support so they understand the various reports available via the portal.
• Assist agents with finding solutions for point-of-sale rating and underwriting questions.

Marketing and Sales assistance

• Provide administrative support for the Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Product Management, Director of Sales and Regional Sales Managers including but not limited to: bonus calculations, presentation preparation, Pacesetter program, maintenance of active agent email lists, agency meeting preparation; sending of expense reports for payment.
• As needed, perform research to develop lists of potential new agencies for appointment consideration

• As needed, participate in agency reviews, and assist Director of Sales with agency review materials by gathering premium and loss data and preparation of other reports

  • Record minutes of agency review and other pertinent sales/marketing meetings - track and follow-up on action items from meetings with appropriate individuals.

• Manage agency contests and incentives including individual agency commission/override incentives. Track, compile, and report on results of incentive programs.

  • As needed, purchase incentive rewards and arrange for distribution in accordance with incentive outcomes.

• Assist Director of Sales (as needed) with development of agency financials.

• As needed, manage set up and distribution of business leads given to agents
• Assist with Marketing brochure management and distribute marketing materials to RSM
• Assemble information regarding farm business we’ve been writing and communicate to agents.
• As needed, develop opportunity reports and listings for agents’ books of business. Manage account rounding and resolicit data and opportunities for RSMs and track results
• Assist with/administer agency appreciation and recognition events

Agency Distribution Management

• If necessary assist RSMs in mailing/emailing and contacting prospect agencies to help cultivate new agency appointments in target territories. Manage timeframes of getting new appointments completed.
• Prepare and maintain prospect agent kits and new agent launch kits.
• Manage new agent appointment process. Obtain packet, request background check report, process new agency appointment steps and appoint through online site.
• Assist RSM’s in working with prospect agencies to secure all necessary information needed to complete an appointment.

Sales Generation

• Follow-up with newly appointed agents for first 60 days (per schedule) for new business production opportunities, training opportunities and to answer questions.
• If needed, telephonically act as sales/marketing liaison on a regular basis to a select group of agents (as assigned) to encourage new business production. Ensure these agencies are up to date on important Countryway information and systems usage. Monitor and report out monthly on quotes and new business activity. Record notes for each sales-based call.
• Set up and conduct agency training webinars as needed to promote sales.
• Be proficient in Countryway Auto, Home, and Farm rating systems to train, guide agents and answer questions.
• As needed, work with Director of Sales and RSM’s to rate new business opportunities to maximize turnaround time and help improve sales closing ratio.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• As needed, assist Director of Underwriting

MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL/EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in P & C Insurance in a position involving interaction with agents and/or policyholders

MINIMUM SKILL QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills, as position requires communication with all internal levels and many external contacts.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Detail oriented; able to handle multiple initiatives simultaneously
• Ability to handle all information with discretion and integrity
• Ability to set own priorities, assume responsibility without direct supervision, exercise initiative and judgment and make decisions within the scope of assigned authority.
• Ability to use diplomacy, problem solving skills and exercise judgment in handling a variety of situations encountered when dealing within the organization and with outside contacts.
• Proficient in MS Office skills
• Be familiar with Countryway array of products in each Countryway operating state.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Insurance education
• Familiarity with insurance licensing requirements/process
• Experience creating marketing communications

At VA Farm Bureau, we provide an exceptional benefits package, including ongoing job development and support in all roles, paid training and continuing education reimbursement, medical and dental insurance available on your first day, generous employee 401K contribution, excellent Paid Time off (PTO) plan and more!

Virginia Farm Bureau Companies provide equal employment opportunity in all aspects of employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, pregnancy, age, disability, orientation or veteran status.

VAFB supports compliance with COVID-19 protocols.