Branch Operations Manager - Commercial Lines

Insurance Office of America; Santa Barbara (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays and time off

401K with employer match

Professional growth opportunities

Supportive teammates

Job summary

Insurance Office of America in Santa Barbara is seeking a Branch Operations Manager for Commercial Lines. This hybrid role requires leading the branch operations, directing the team, and delivering service excellence across the assigned book of business.

You will manage P&L, budgeting, policy implementation, and collaborate with regional leadership while actively supporting agency acquisition and account management. A strong license and deep industry knowledge are essential for success.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of insurance industry experience
• 2+ years of management experience
• Active property & casualty licensing
• Exceptional account management skills, spending 50% of time managing a book of business
• Outstanding communication, people management, and negotiation skills
• Proficiency in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel)
• High School Diploma (or equivalent)

Responsibilities

• Lead daily activities and workflow of the branch team.
• Drive annual strategic and tactical plans for the branch.
• Manage branch P&L, control costs, and meet financial goals.
• Understand and manage the annual budget.
• Communicate leadership vision and mission for the branch.
• Build and manage a qualified operations team.
• Participate in recruitment and evaluate merger/acquisition opportunities.
• Recommend staff actions including acquisition and succession planning.
• Ensure HR processes and policies are followed.
• Establish productivity, efficiency, quality, and service standards.
• Encourage growth and development of personnel.
• Develop future branch operations leaders.
• Promote IOA values and improve engagement.
• Monitor performance data and identify gaps; implement corrective actions.
• Maintain communication with Regional Director of Operations and sales leadership.
• Resolve operational issues with Branch 1099 sales personnel.
• Spend up to 50% of time on an assigned book of business.
• Develop and enforce core work processes and company policies.
• Maintain high technical competence and industry expertise.

Skills

Account management

Leadership

Communication

Negotiation

Industry knowledge

Education

Active Property & Casualty License

High School Diploma

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Job Description

Branch Operations Manager - Commercial Lines

Hybrid: 1 day in office at either the Aliso Viejo, Glendale, Ontario, San Diego or Santa Barbara office locations

Supporting: IOA - Orange County | Book Focus: Construction | Requirement: active P&C license

Please note: If this position is posted as either fully remote and/or hybrid, in accordance with company policy, individuals residing within a 50-mile radius of a branch location may be required to work onsite in a hybrid capacity as there may be occasions when on-site presence is necessary to meet specific business needs. Additionally, our remote work policy includes having a dedicated, distraction-free workspace. Remote work is not a substitute for childcare, elder care, or other personal responsibilities during working hours. To view our branch locations, please visit: ioausa.com/locations

About the Role

Responsible for leadership of all IOA insurance operations management activities within the assigned branch. This includes managing operations team performance, strategic and tactical plan implementation, budgeting, goal setting, reporting, staff professional development, policy and procedure implementation, human resource management, quality assurance, productivity, and customer service management. Additionally, responsible for participating in producer/agency acquisition and integration, and personally serving as Account Manager for an assigned book of business.

Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership: Direct daily activities and workflow of the branch team.
• Strategic Implementation: Drive annual strategic and tactical plans.
• Financial Management: Manage branch P&L, control costs, and achieve financial goals.
• Budget Management: Understand and manage the annual budget.
• Vision Communication: Communicate leadership vision/mission for the branch.
• Team Building: Build and manage a qualified operations team.
• Recruitment and Onboarding: Participate in recruitment and evaluate merger/acquisition opportunities.
• Personnel Management: Recommend staff actions, including acquisition and succession planning.
• HR Management: Ensure compliance with HR processes and policies.
• Performance Standards: Establish and monitor productivity, efficiency, quality, and service standards.
• Professional Development: Encourage growth and development of personnel.
• Succession Planning: Develop future branch operations leaders.
• Culture Promotion: Promote IOA culture and improve engagement.
• Performance Monitoring: Identify gaps and implement corrective actions.
• Data Analysis: Monitor and interpret performance data.
• Communication: Maintain communication with Regional Director of Operations and sales leadership.
• Collaboration: Resolve operational issues with Branch 1099 sales personnel.
• Account Management: Spend up to 50% of time managing an assigned book of business.
• Process Improvement: Develop and ensure compliance with core work processes.
• Policy Enforcement: Implement and enforce company policies.
• Technical Competence:Maintain high technical competence and industry expertise.
• Leadership Development:Continuously improve management and leadership skills.
• Relationship Building:Develop and maintain positive relationships with IOA leadership and employees.
• Champion IOA Values:Demonstrate integrity and leadership.

Ideal Candidate Qualifications

• 5+ years of industry experience with deep, wide-ranging industry knowledge
• 2+ years of management experience
• All required active property & casualty licensing
• Exceptional Account Management skills, spending 50% of time managing a book of business
• Outstanding communication, people management, and negotiation skills
• Proficiency in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel)
• High School Diploma (or equivalent)

What We Offer

• Competitive salaries and bonus potential
• Company-paid health insurance
• Paid holidays, vacations, and sick time
• 401K with employer match
• Professional growth and career progression opportunities
• Respectful culture and work/family life balance
• Community service commitment
• Supportive teammates and a rewarding work environment

What To Expect (Application Process)

• 30-Minute Phone Screen, Online Assessments, and Interview(s)

Salary Range

The expected pay range for this position is $110,000.00 to $125,000.00 per year, depending on experience, relevant skills, and geographic location.

Insurance Office of America is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.