Business Development Manager - Commercial Insurance (Distribution Manager)

Crossell; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 124,000 - 206,000; Full time

Job summary

Swiss Re Corporate Solutions is seeking a Distribution Manager in Chicago, IL. This hybrid role focuses on growing broker relationships, shaping market strategy, and driving revenue expansion in commercial insurance.

The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience, a strong brokerage network, and strategic insights to create impactful growth. Join Swiss Re and thrive in a collaborative environment designed for success.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of commercial insurance experience with background in business development.
• Deep knowledge of commercial insurance products including property and alternative risk solutions.
• Proven ability to influence deal outcomes in large, complex transactions.

Responsibilities

• Build and grow key broker relationships across your region.
• Shape and execute regional go-to-market strategy for growth.
• Connect brokers with internal teams to ensure deal success.

Skills

Relationship-building

Strategic thinking

Market analysis

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or Risk Management

Job description

Location: Chicago, IL, US

Chicago, IL -- Hybrid

Ready to own broker relationships, shape go‑to‑market strategy, and drive meaningful growth in the commercial insurance space? If you’re a commercially driven leader who thrives on building partnerships and making a visible market impact, this is your moment.

About the Role

At Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, we’re looking for a dynamic and results‑oriented Distribution Manager to join our team in Chicago. In this high‑impact, market‑facing role, you’ll lead broker relationship growth, regional strategy, and multi‑line revenue expansion. You’ll work at the intersection of business development, strategy, and deal execution—collaborating across underwriting, claims, and product teams to deliver differentiated solutions that win in the market.

Key Responsibilities

Market & Broker Growth

• Own and grow a portfolio of key broker relationships across your region, building trust and long‑term partnerships
• Build and convert a high‑quality deal pipeline with a sharp focus on multi‑line solutions
• Influence placement strategy on large, complex deals to drive favorable outcomes

Strategy & Market Impact

• Shape and execute your regional go‑to‑market strategy aligned with Swiss Re Corporate Solutions’ growth ambitions
• Identify whitespace opportunities and drive targeted growth campaigns to unlock new revenue streams
• Position Swiss Re as the preferred partner across managed brokers through consistent market engagement

Internal Leadership & Deal Enablement

• Connect brokers with underwriting, claims, and product teams to unlock deal success and deliver tailored solutions
• Act as a quarterback across functions, driving execution and alignment on priority opportunities
• Leverage data and insights to inform strategy, track performance, and sharpen decision‑making

About You

You are a commercially minded, relationship‑driven professional with a proven track record in the commercial insurance space. You bring strategic thinking, a strong broker network, and the ability to translate market insights into tangible growth. You’re energized by complex challenges, thrive in collaborative environments, and know how to influence outcomes across a matrixed organization.

Requirements

• 10+ years of commercial insurance experience, with a strong background in business development, sales, or broker distribution
• Deep knowledge of commercial insurance products, including property, executive lines, international programs, and alternative risk solutions
• Proven ability to originate opportunities and influence deal outcomes on large, complex transactions within the commercial insurance market
• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Business, Finance, Risk Management, or a related field

Strong Assets

• An established and active broker network with a demonstrated ability to leverage relationships to originate and convert high‑value opportunities
• A strategic mindset with a strong commercial focus, including experience identifying whitespace, driving market expansion, and executing revenue growth initiatives
• Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the confidence to navigate complex internal and external relationships at senior levels
• A data‑driven approach to decision‑making, with the ability to translate market insights and analytics into clear, actionable strategy
• Experience in a matrixed, global organization, with a track record of collaborating effectively across functions such as underwriting, claims, and risk engineering
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage, influence, and build credibility with senior‑level audiences and key broker partners

Our company has a hybrid work model where the expectation is that you will be in the office at least three days per week.

The estimated base salary range for this position in Chicago, Illinois is $124,000 to $206,000. The specific salary offered will take into account a number of factors including but not limited to job location, scope of role, qualifications, complexity/specialization/rarity of talent, experience, education, and employer budget.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Swiss Re is an equal opportunity employer. It is our practice to recruit, hire and promote without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, pregnancy, sexual orientations, marital status, military status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Decisions on employment are solely based on an individual's qualifications for the position being filled.

Accommodations

During the recruitment process, reasonable accommodations for disabilities are available upon request. If contacted for an interview, please inform the recruiter/HR professional of the accommodation needed.