Head of Independent Agent Channel

Nodak Insurance Company; Fargo (ND); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Nodak Insurance Company is actively seeking a strategic leader to own our independent agency channel across the Dakotas and neighboring states. The role begins by building a field team, defining territories and roles, and hiring ahead of expansion.

You will then manage agency relationships, set growth goals, and drive long-term channel success. Responsibilities include agency strategy, production growth, and commission design with actuaries and finance.

Qualifications

• Experience building and managing an independent agency distribution team.
• Track record growing agency production and retention in defined territories.
• Knowledge of appointments, agency compensation, and multi-state licensing.

Responsibilities

• Hire and build the field team in SD, NE, and MN; define territories and roles.
• Set agency strategy for each state and target agencies for growth.
• Own agency relationships with regular contact cadence and plans.
• Set production goals by territory; drive quoting, new business, and retention.
• Lead commission and profit-sharing program design with Actuarial and Finance.
• Ensure licensing and compliance across states with proper appointments.
• Define KPIs and reports with the sales analyst for visibility.
• Participate in business reviews to grow agent force production.
• Coordinate with underwriting and cross-channel leaders to align strategies.

Skills

Agency leadership

P&C insurance

Multi-state licensing

Team building

Stakeholder collaboration

Job description

Summary: This role owns our independent agency channel in South Dakota, Nebraska, and Minnesota, with more states to come as we expand. The first job is building a team: hiring the people who work directly with agencies in each state. Once that team is in place, this role manages agency relationships, grows our existing territories, and leads potential expansion into new states.Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.Team Building - Hire and build the field team in SD, NE, and MN. Define territories, headcount, and roles. As new states come online, scope what the team needs to look like and hire ahead of launch.Agency Strategy and Appointments - Set the agency strategy for each state: which agencies to target, appointment criteria, and how fast to grow.Relationship Management - Own our relationships with appointed agencies. Set a regular contact cadence, build agency plans, and step in when a relationship needs leadership attention.Production & Growth - Set production goals by territory and agency. Work with the field team to grow quoting, new business, and retention.Compensation and Profit Sharing - Lead design of commission and profit-sharing programs with Actuarial and Finance. Make sure agencies understand how they’re paid and what drives it.Licensing & Compliance - Make sure appointments and licensing are handled correctly in every state, including new ones.Reporting & KPIs - Work with the sales analyst to define KPIs and reports that give the field clear visibility into production, retention, and growth opportunities.Business Reviews - Take part in regular business reviews to discuss results and grow agent force production.Underwriting Alignment - Work closely with Underwriting so the field team and agencies understand our appetite and bring us business we want to write.Cross-Channel Coordination - Coordinate with the captive channel leader on anything that touches both channels, so agencies and captive agents aren’t working against each other in the same markets.Essential Competencies and SkillsExperience building and managing an independent agency distribution team, ideally in P&C across multiple states, is preferred.Track record growing agency production and retention in a defined territory.Knows the mechanics of appointments, agency compensation, and multi-state licensing.Works well with Underwriting, Actuarial, Finance, and Marketing.Clear, direct communicator who agency principals’ trust.Travel RequirementsThis position requires up to 60% travel, including regular visits to agency partners across the assigned territory. Travel is necessary to support agency growth, strengthen business relationships, conduct field meetings, provide strategic guidance, and represent the company at industry events and conferences. Occasional overnight travel may be required.Nodak Insurance Company complies fully with all federal, state, and local employment laws and shall provide equal employment and advancement opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, the presence of any mental or physical disability, status with regard to public assistance or marriage, or any other category protected by local, state, or federal law.