Commercial Lines Sales Manager

Utica National Insurance Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 155,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and Prescription Benefit

Dental Benefit

Vision Benefit

Life Insurance

401(k) Profit Sharing

HSA

Tuition Assistance

Paid Volunteer Day

Wellness programs

Personal Insurance Discount

Job summary

Utica National Insurance Group in Chicago or Columbus, OH area seeks a Commercial Lines Sales Manager to lead a field sales team, translate distribution strategies into actionable plans, and develop sales talent for profitable growth across an assigned region.

You will coach reps, conduct territory reviews, and strengthen agency relationships while ensuring growth, retention, and profitability targets are met.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive property and casualty insurance experience, including leadership.
• 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.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent business experience.
• Professional insurance designations such as CPCU, AU, INS, CIC, or commitment to continued education.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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 for market opportunities.
• Help sales reps identify growth opportunities within existing and prospective agency relationships.
• Ensure field activities align with underwriting appetite and strategic objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Strategic planning

Sales leadership

Agency management

Mentoring

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Field Leadership Opportunity

Territory Location Based in either Columbus, OH or Chicago, IL metro areas

Eligible For Variable Compensation Bonus PlanLead 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

• 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.

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.

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.

Benefits

• Medical and Prescription Drug Benefit
• Dental Benefit
• Vision Benefit
• Life Insurance and Disability Benefits
• 401(k) Profit Sharing and Investment Plan (Includes annual Company financial contribution and discretionary Profit Sharing contribution based upon annual company financial results)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition Assistance, Training, and Professional Designations
• Company-Paid Family Leave
• Adoption/Surrogacy Assistance Benefit
• Voluntary Benefits - Group Accident Insurance, Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness, Legal, ID Theft Protection, Pet Insurance
• Student Loan Refinancing Services
• Business Travel Accident Insurance
• Matching Gifts program
• Paid Volunteer Day
• Employee Referral Award Program
• Wellness programs
• Personal Insurance Discount

Additional Information

This position is a full time salaried, exempt (non overtime eligible) position.

Utica National is an Equal Opportunity Employer.