Commercial Lines Sales Manager

Commercial Lines Sales Manager

Field Leadership Opportunity
Territory Location Based in either Columbus, OH or Chicago, IL metro areas
Eligible for Variable Compensation Bonus Plan

Lead a Team. Grow a Region. Shape the Future.

At Utica National, strong agency partnerships and disciplined growth are at the core of our success. We're seeking a dynamic and strategic Commercial Lines Sales Manager to lead a team of Field Sales Representatives while driving profitable growth across an assigned region.

This role combines leadership, business development, sales execution, and agency management. You'll be responsible for translating corporate distribution strategies into actionable field plans, coaching and developing sales talent, strengthening agency relationships, and ensuring your region achieves growth, profitability, and retention objectives.

If you're an experienced insurance leader who enjoys developing people, influencing strategy, and driving results, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Do

As Commercial Lines Sales Manager, you will:

Lead and Develop High-Performing Sales Talent

• Coach, mentor, and develop a team of Commercial Lines Field Sales Representatives.
• Establish clear expectations for performance, accountability, and professional growth.
• Conduct field visits, ride-alongs, agency meetings, and territory reviews to support development and execution.
• Recruit, onboard, and retain top sales talent aligned with Utica National's values and performance standards.
• Foster a culture focused on collaboration, growth, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Drive Territory Performance and Profitable Growth

• Lead execution of regional sales strategies designed to achieve profitable growth objectives.
• Monitor performance against key measures including premium growth, retention, profitability, and agency production.
• Guide agency segmentation and territory planning efforts to maximize market opportunities.
• Help sales representatives identify and capitalize on growth opportunities within existing and prospective agency relationships.
• Ensure field activities align with underwriting appetite, target markets, and strategic objectives.

Execute Distribution Strategy

• Translate corporate sales and distribution strategies into practical field execution plans.
• Drive consistent value proposition messaging across agency partners and prospective agencies.
• Support strategic growth initiatives, new programs, and market expansion efforts.
• Ensure sales efforts prioritize profitable growth rather than volume alone.

Manage Performance and Accountability

• Monitor and analyze key regional performance indicators, including:

  • New business growth
  • Submission quality and pipeline activity
  • Hit ratios and close rates
  • Retention performance
  • Regional profitability
  • Agency production trends

• Identify performance opportunities and implement action plans to improve results.

• Hold team members accountable for activity standards, execution, and business outcomes.

Strengthen Agency Partnerships

• Provide executive-level engagement with key agency relationships and strategic accounts.
• Support the management of complex agency situations and high-impact business opportunities.
• Develop agency engagement strategies that increase loyalty, profitability, and share of wallet.
• Oversee agency incentive investments while maintaining expense discipline and budget accountability.

Collaborate Across the Business

• Partner closely with underwriting leadership, claims, operations, product teams, and specialty business units.
• Support alignment between field sales activity and underwriting discipline.
• Elevate opportunities and challenges impacting growth, service, and competitiveness.
• Help ensure a seamless experience for agency partners and policyholders.

Deliver Market Intelligence

• Provide leadership with real-time insights on:

  • Competitive market activity
  • Pricing trends
  • Coverage and product opportunities
  • Agency sentiment
  • Emerging market risks

• Use marketplace intelligence to help shape future business and distribution strategies.

What Makes You Successful

We're seeking a strong commercial insurance leader who combines business development expertise with a passion for coaching and team leadership.

You may be a great fit if you have:

• 7+ years of progressive property and casualty insurance experience, including leadership responsibilities.
• Experience leading sales, marketing, underwriting, agency management, or distribution teams.
• Strong knowledge of commercial insurance products, agency operations, and distribution strategies.
• Proven ability to drive profitable growth through agency partnerships and talent development.
• Experience managing performance through data, metrics, and business planning.
• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent business experience.
• Professional insurance designations such as CPCU, AU, INS, CIC, or a commitment to continued insurance education.

Why Utica National?

For more than a century, Utica National has earned a reputation for financial strength, exceptional service, and trusted agency partnerships. We are committed to developing leaders who make a meaningful impact while helping our employees grow both personally and professionally.

When you join our team, you'll find:

• A collaborative and supportive leadership culture
• Opportunity to influence regional strategy and business performance
• Strong agency relationships and market presence
• Career growth and professional development opportunities
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits
• Performance-based incentive opportunities

Compensation

Commercial Lines Sales Manager
$155,000 - $195,300

This position is eligible for participation in the Company's Variable Compensation Bonus Plan.

Final compensation is determined based on experience, geographic location, education, professional designations, scope of responsibilities, and overall qualifications.