Agency Services Manager

Symetra Financial Corporation; Farmington (CT); Remote; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Symetra Financial Corporation seeks an Agency Services Manager to develop leaders, strengthen service, and shape operations for a growing part of the business. You will lead Unit Managers for Contracts & Licensing and two trainers, guiding onboarding, licensing, appointments and ongoing service for financial professionals and distribution partners.

You will drive operational performance, quality assurance, and readiness through training while partnering with Compliance, Legal and other teams.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading managers and developing people.
• Track record of improving service, quality and team performance in complex operations.
• Experience guiding cross-functional initiatives and process/tech changes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop leaders, coaching front-line managers and two trainers.
• Oversee contracting and licensing operations to ensure timely, accurate service.
• Oversee quality assurance for Contracts & Licensing and partner with Compliance and Legal.
• Guide trainers on onboarding, learning, and training for new technology and processes.
• Translate strategy into execution with clear plans, milestones and outcomes.
• Manage operating budgets, staffing and capacity, and explain variances.
• Represent Agency Services in leadership and cross-functional meetings and with senior leaders.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Budget management

Quality assurance

Training & development

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

College degree or equivalent

Job description

You may have seen in the media that job posting scams are on the rise. Symetra is committed to creating a positive candidate experience without putting you at risk. As such, applications for our open job postings are only collected through our secure career site and we are transparent about our. We also do not send funds to candidates or request funds from candidates, via check or otherwise. To check the status of your application, log into your candidate profile. If you would like to report suspicious recruiting activity or potential fraud please .- Relevant skills and experience will be listed so you know why those jobs are a match## Job Description**Agency Services Manager**Contracts & Licensing, Quality Assurance and Training**Job profile: 001739 Manager Service & Operations**# About the roleSymetra is seeking an Agency Services Manager to develop leaders, strengthen service and help shape the future of a growing part of our business.Reporting to the AVP, Agency Services, you will lead Unit Managers responsible for Contracts & Licensing and quality assurance for that work, and directly manage two Contracts & Licensing trainers. Your teams manage the onboarding, contracting, licensing, appointments and ongoing service that enable financial professionals and distribution partners to sell Symetra products and support growth across our Life, Retirement, and Benefits businesses.This role combines day-to-day operational leadership with meaningful involvement in strategic initiatives and transformation. We're looking for a proven people leader with experience leading managers and a strong background in insurance operations, ideally in Agency Services, Contracts & Licensing, or distribution support. You bring sound judgment, fresh perspective, and the initiative to move work forward while helping others succeed. This is an opportunity to broaden your leadership impact and help shape the future of a growing business.# What you will do* **Lead and develop leaders.** Coach and empower a team of front-line managers and directly lead two trainers. Set clear expectations, provide candid feedback, address performance and create meaningful development plans. Build leadership bench strength by helping managers strengthen their judgment, ownership and ability to develop others.* **Own operational performance.** Lead contracting and licensing operations through your managers, ensuring financial professionals and distribution partners receive timely, accurate service. Stay ahead of staffing and service needs, resolve issues quickly, and continually look for ways to make it easier to do business with Symetra.* **Turn quality insights into improvement.** Oversee quality assurance for Contracts & Licensing, using results to strengthen controls, reduce rework and improve processes. Partner with Compliance, Legal and other teams to maintain effective procedures and follow corrective actions through completion.* **Strengthen training and readiness.** Guide the trainers in delivering employee onboarding, ongoing learning, cross-training and support for new technology, processes and ways of working. Use quality findings and business needs to shape training priorities and ensure learning translates into stronger performance.* **Translate strategy into execution.** Partner with the AVP to prioritize and deliver growth and transformation initiatives. Turn direction into clear plans, owners, milestones and outcomes. Lead cross-functional work and prepare teams for changes in products, processes and technology while sustaining day-to-day service.* **Manage budgets and resources.** Prepare and manage operating budgets for your areas, monitor expenses and explain variances. Develop staffing and capacity recommendations, prioritize competing demands and make informed trade-offs across service, quality, cost and change delivery.* **Represent Agency Services with confidence.** Build relationships across Distribution, New Business, Technology, Product, Finance and other teams. Represent Agency Services in leadership and cross-functional meetings, including on behalf of the AVP. Make decisions within delegated authority, follow through on commitments and proactively communicate progress, risks and decisions.# What you bring* Significant, progressive experience in service or operations leadership, including demonstrated success directly managing and developing other people managers.* A record of improving service, quality and team performance in a complex operational environment, with an understanding of controls and compliance expectations.* Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and implementing process or technology changes with measurable results.* Strong business and financial acumen, including experience using performance data, managing budgets and making staffing or resource decisions.* Clear, confident communication and the ability to build credibility, influence across teams and represent your function with senior leaders and business partners.* Proactive ownership and dependable follow-through: you anticipate what needs attention, make sound decisions, keep others informed and drive work to completion.* A commitment to developing people, learning the business and adapting as priorities evolve.* A college degree or equivalent relevant work experience.# Additional experience we valueExperience in life insurance or annuity operations, particularly producer contracting, licensing or appointments, is preferred. Familiarity with independent marketing organizations, broker general agencies or broker-dealer distribution channels is also valuable, as is experience overseeing operational quality assurance, training programs or workflow modernization.# Why this opportunityThis is an opportunity to lead through leaders, work closely with senior leadership and help shape how Agency Services supports a growing business. You will have meaningful ownership, visibility across the organization and the opportunity to expand your leadership impact while improving the experience for employees and partners.**We empower inclusion**At Symetra, we aspire to be the most inclusive insurance company in the country. We're building a place where every employee feels valued, respected, and has opportunities to contribute.Inclusion is about recognizing our assumptions, considering multiple perspective, and removing barriers. We accept and celebrate diverse experiences, identities, and perspectives, because lifting each other up fuels thought and builds a stronger, more innovative company. We invite you to learn more about our efforts here.**Creating a world where more people have access to financial freedom**Symetra is a national financial services company dedicated to helping people achieve their financial goals and feel confident about the future. In our daily work, we're guided by the principles of Value, Transparency and Sustainability. This means we provide products and services people need at a competitive price, we communicate clearly and openly so people understand what they're buying, and we design products-and operate our company-to stand the test of time. We're committed to showing up for our communities, lifting up our employees, and standing up for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Join our team and help us create a world where more people have access to financial freedom.For more information about our careers visit:**Work Authorization**Employer work visa sponsorship and support are not provided for this role. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at hire and must maintain authorization to work in the United States throughout their employment with our company.**Please review Symetra's Remote Network Minimum Requirements:**As a remote-first organization committed to providing a positive experience for both employees and customers, Symetra has the following standards for employees' internet