Head of Independent Agent Channel

Nodak Insurance Company; North Dakota; On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Nodak Insurance Company is seeking a leader to own the independent agency channel across South Dakota, Nebraska, and Minnesota, with expansion to additional states. The role starts by building a field team, then managing agency relationships and expansion opportunities.

Responsibilities include defining territories, coordinating agency appointments and compensation, and ensuring licensing compliance across states. Travel is up to 60% as you drive growth and performance.

Qualifications

• Experience building and managing an independent agency distribution team, ideally in P&C across multiple states.
• Track record growing agency production and retention in a defined territory.
• Knows the mechanics of appointments, agency compensation, and multi-state licensing.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead the field team in SD, NE, and MN and plan expansion to new states.
• Set agency strategy for each state including target agencies and growth timelines.
• Own relationships with appointed agencies and maintain regular contact cadence.
• Drive production and growth by territory and agency, coordinating with field teams.
• Design commission and profit-sharing concepts with Actuarial and Finance.
• Ensure licensing and appointments are compliant across states, including new ones.
• Define KPIs and reporting with Sales Analyst to monitor production and retention.
• Participate in business reviews to assess results and coach the agent force.
• Collaborate with Underwriting to align appetite and secure desired business.
• Coordinate cross-channel efforts with captive channel leadership.

Skills

Independent agency distribution

Multi-state P&C experience

Leadership and team-building

Relationship management

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 Skills

• Experience 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 Requirements

• This 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.