Sales Associate - Commercial Insurance - Remote

***This is a remote opportunity for anyone within driving distance to Columbia, SC. This is a Sales/ Service role without New Business goals. Some travel is required *** 

Title: Outside Sales Associate

Welcome to Insurance Office of America – one of the nation’s largest and premier privately held insurance agencies! Recognized as a Top Workplaces USA Award winner, IOA’s commitment to both a rewarding culture and employee satisfaction is unwavering. Prioritizing a strong work/life balance, personal and professional growth, competitive benefits, and giving back to our community aren’t just clichés here – they’re a part of who we are. With a growing workforce and over 60 office locations across the US and Northern Ireland, we can confidently serve our clients with an unmatched standard of excellence.

Want to learn more? Complete the application below and one of our talented recruiters will be ready to answer any other questions you may have.

Job Summary

Primary role is to be available to be assigned Producer(s) to prospect for new quality clients and to build, strengthen, and retain relationships with the new and renewal clients. Responsible for the strategic coordination and execution of client marketing, risk management and/or sales activities, following established industry and company guidelines. Meet all performance requirements by implementing best practices to eliminate potential errors and omissions claims. Primarily responsible for managing renewal book of business, placing new business for the Producer(s) and increasing account retention. Capable of resolving the most complex customer risk management issues and utilizing critical thinking to identify the products and solutions which are in the best interests of the client, while balancing the impact to the carrier partner and protecting IOA. Also responsible for significant account expansion and cross selling. Actively seek to grow and retain IOA business, including identifying and acting on sales opportunities and services as a subject matter expert to Producers on the insurance brokerage business. At the discretion of the Producer(s), the OSA may be requested to attend sales and service calls with or without the Producer(s).

What You’ll Do:

• Maintain a high degree of technical competence and industry/market expertise.
• Responsible for Sales and Client Relationship Development
• Shadows Producer and new business/prospect appointments
• Exercise discretion and independent judgement with respect to rate/premium negotiation, gathering client data, current policies and relevant corporate documents to understand client business needs and engage in appropriate market identification, based upon the data analysis.
• Effectively manage assigned client relationships as an extension of the Producer, including conducting one-on-one client meetings, preparing and presenting periodic Account Summaries, recommending coverages and policy changes and negotiating/closing new business and renewals.
• Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME), answering questions and developing solutions to client problems.
• Manage policy expirations for existing clients and works proactively to ensure appropriate actions are taken to facilitate renewals by meeting once per month with the Account Manager(s) to predict marketing and/or servicing needs for upcoming renewals.
• Manage new business and policy renewal process independently, or in conjunction with Producer, including but not limited to: conduct Loss Run Analysis; prepare complete and accurate submissions and determine appropriate markets; evaluate and negotiate coverages and pricing; prepare and present proposals; bind coverage and comply with any subjectivity as required by carrier, Surplus Lines Association and/or IOA; prepare Stewardship Reports, Experience MOD promulgations, Loss Summary Reports, Claims Analysis, etc.
• Monitor account receivable reports and take action on any delinquent accounts along with collecting outstanding balances due.
• Ensure that all communication and pertinent documents are clearly presented and well- documented, accurate, and attached in the agency management system according to IOA Standard Operating Procedures and naming standards.
• Deliver excellent service at all times, including proactively anticipating needs, maintaining frequent and professional communication, and responding quickly.
• Live and champion IOA core values at all times, demonstrating the highest level of personal character, integrity, and servant leadership.
• Respond to day-to-day requests directed by the Producer.
• Assist the Producer in implementing client action plans and assuring that the client needs are met and help in protecting the firm and form errors and omissions.
• Responsible for development and maintenance of client relationships. Communicate regularly with clients. Monitor client feedback through ongoing dialog.
• Determine marketing strategy with Producer on new and renewal clients, manage timeliness and deliverables to meet client requirements.
• Develop submissions to carriers, communicating the required client information; review quotations received for accuracy, identifying any errors or additional requirements & work with carriers to rectify appropriately.
• Evaluate quotes from carriers and prepare proposals for client review.
• Develop and deliver final proposals to clients.
• Bind coverage with carriers based on client instructions and meet compliance in providing confirmation of coverage through binders or other written verification.
• Assist the Producer in implementing marketing strategies and development of carrier relationships for the firm.
• Understand and remain updated on the various carriers, their policy forms, strengths and weaknesses between each and the consulting services that they provide.
• Ensure a transparent transition of a new business client or a renewal plan to the account manager.
• Assist in resolving client or carrier accounting issues, including collections, discrepancies, fee arrangements and billing or finance contracts.
• Communicate directly with the Branch Operations Manager any major issues that are observed with the performance of the appointed service team, or any complaints received from clients regarding service issues.
• In the absence of an Account Executive or Sr. Account Manager on assigned team, act as a project manager for specific service team’s work and renewals, as directed by the Producer.
• Assist in other duties as requested by the Producer or the Branch Operations Manager.

What We’re Looking For:

      Must have at minimum an insurance license or state required license.

      Preferred at least 5+ years of commercial lines insurance experience managing books of business.

      College degree desirable, high school diploma (or equivalent) required.

      Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills.

      Advanced/superb customer service skills.

      Must be able to work in a team environment.

      Outstanding verbal/written communication skills.

      Ability to perform large work volumes with high degree of accuracy.

      PC proficiency, including basic knowledge of MS Office.

      Exceptional personal character.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salaries and bonus earning potential
• Great benefits, including company paid health insurance
• Paid time off for holidays, vacations, and sick time
• 401K with an employer match
• Participation in our employee stock plan
• Opportunities for professional growth and career progression
• A culture that emphasizes respect for every individual
• Company commitment to work/family life balance and community service
• Teammates who share your drive for excellence
• Knowing every day you are helping our clients protect their families and businesses

Still wondering if IOA is the right fit for you?

• If you want to feel the significance of knowing your efforts have been both recognized, appreciated and rewarded, then IOA is right for you.
• If you want to feel valued and have a real influence towards the continued success of your organization, then IOA is right for you.
• If you want to feel the peace of knowing that you’ve made the best decision of your professional life, then IOA is right for you.

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