Head of Insurance Carrier Strategy & Network Partnerships

COVU; California (MO); On-site; USD 240,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A technology-driven insurance firm is hiring a Head of Carrier Strategy & Network Partnerships to oversee carrier relationships and drive network expansion. This role involves consolidating carrier appointments and negotiating improved terms while ensuring operational excellence in onboarding new agencies. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in carrier relations and distribution strategy within the insurance sector. You will play a vital role in shaping the future of intelligent insurance distribution.

Qualifications

• 6–10+ years in carrier relations, distribution strategy, commercial insurance, or partnerships.
• Proven track record of executing with speed and accountability.
• Deep understanding of insurance distribution processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead all carrier communications and relationship management.
• Build and scale the onboarding model for new agencies.
• Drive alignment between carrier access and producer performance.

Skills

Carrier relationship management

Distribution strategy

Negotiation skills

Operational excellence

Attention to detail

Job description

Location: Los Angeles preferred

Reports to: COO

Department: Carrier Relations

Comp: $240k - $300k + Equity based on seniority and location

About COVU

COVU is building the AI-native infrastructure layer for the insurance industry. We are transforming independent agencies into modern customer and risk advisors—powered by automation, data, and a unified platform. With a $7T global market undergoing disruption, COVU is poised to become the essential operating system for the future of insurance distribution and management.

The Role

We’re hiring a Head of Carrier Strategy & Network Partnerships to lead and scale one of the most critical areas of the business: our carrier relationships and the launch of the COVU Network.

This is a highly executional role. You’ll start by consolidating carrier appointments across our acquired agencies, negotiate improved terms and access, and build the operational layer that enables agencies in our network to scale under one roof.

You’ll be the quarterback for everything carrier-facing—partner success, onboarding flows, economics, and integration. As the network scales, you’ll help lay the groundwork for a high-leverage growth ecosystem that unlocks distribution, cross-sell, and platform dominance.

What You’ll Do

1. Carrier Relationship Management & Execution

• Lead all carrier communications, appointment negotiations, and relationship oversight
• Consolidate agency-level appointments into COVU Master Agreements
• Improve access to preferred products, economics, and underwriting relationships
• Serve as the external face of COVU to key carrier partners

2. Network Enablement Infrastructure

• Build and scale the sub-appointment model for onboarding new agencies and producers under COVU’s umbrella
• Design repeatable, compliant onboarding playbooks and product access flows
• Partner with operations, legal, and revenue teams to ensure smooth and fast scaling of the network

3. Cross-Functional Execution

• Work with data and product teams to bring carrier appetite, quoting logic, and submission flows into the platform
• Partner with sales and agency success to ensure carrier access aligns with producer performance and customer needs
• Drive operational excellence—clear ownership, fast iteration, documentation, and accountability

4. Prepare for Value Chain Expansion

• (Optional/Plus) Support future planning for risk segmentation, MGA structure, and program-based opportunities
• Work closely with founders and strategic partners on longer‑term value chain entry points

What We’re Looking For

• 6–10+ years in carrier relations, distribution strategy, commercial insurance, or partnerships at an agency, carrier, or insurtech
• Proven track record of executing with speed, accountability, and attention to detail
• Comfortable negotiating appointments, onboarding producers, managing compliance
• Deep understanding of how insurance distribution works—from appetite to quoting to commissions
• Strong internal ownership mindset—you push things forward, unblock yourself, and get things done
• Comfortable operating with limited structure, building playbooks from scratch, and scaling what works

Bonus Points

• Experience scaling a network, marketplace, or producer onboarding program
• Familiarity with AMS/CRM systems and carrier integration tooling
• Exposure to MGA formation, program business, or risk analytics (plus, not required)

Why This Role Matters

This role is mission-critical to COVU’s next phase of growth. Carrier consolidation and network scaling will drive both our margin expansion and our platform flywheel. You’ll sit at the intersection of strategy and operations—and help define what the future of intelligent distribution looks like.