Senior Project/Program Manager-Agent Engagement Strategy

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina; Chapel Hill (NC); Hybrid; USD 89,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision coverage

401(k) plan with company match

Hybrid-Flex work model

Paid time off & wellness programs

Job summary

Blue Cross NC seeks a Senior Program Manager, Agent Engagement Strategy to lead end-to-end engagement, rewards and incentive programs for independent agents and agencies, aligning with sales and distribution objectives. You will own program strategy, measure ROI, manage budgets and vendors, and partner with senior leaders to drive innovation in the agent experience.

This hybrid NC-based role requires 5+ years in program management or related fields and a proven cross-functional delivery track

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Organizational Leadership, or related field is required.
• 5+ years of experience in program management, sales enablement, or agent/broker engagement; alternatively 7+ years of progressive experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic engagement, recognition, and incentive programs for independent agents and agencies.
• Develop multi-year engagement roadmaps and recommendations to strengthen agent relationships and performance.
• Own high-profile recognition programs (Best of Blue Top Agent, Producer Hall of Fame, Agency Rewards).
• Influence senior leaders with data-driven recommendations and business cases.
• Design, measure, and optimize program performance including ROI and KPIs.
• Manage budgets, vendor relationships, and contract outcomes.
• Lead cross-functional teams and governance processes to ensure compliant, timely delivery.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Executive communication

Project management

Data visualization

Canva

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Organizational Leadership, or related field

7+ years of progressive experience in program management, sales enablement, agent or broker engagement, marketing, training, or related disciplines

Tools

Canva

Job description

Job Description

The Senior Program Manager, Agent Engagement Strategy is responsible for developing and executing strategic engagement, recognition, rewards, and incentive programs that strengthen relationships with independent agents and agencies while advancing organizational sales and distribution objectives. This role leads complex, high-impact initiatives from concept through execution, serving as a strategic advisor to leadership and collaborating across the Sales and Distribution teams and vendor partners.

The Senior Program Manager is accountable for program strategy, business case development, stakeholder alignment, operational execution, performance measurement, and continuous improvement. This role drives innovation within the agent experience, identifies opportunities to enhance engagement and loyalty, and ensures programs deliver measurable business outcomes.

What You'll Do

Strategic Leadership & Program Management

• Lead the strategy, design, execution, and evolution of agent engagement programs that support long-term sales and distribution priorities.
• Develop multi-year engagement strategies, roadmaps, and recommendations that strengthen agent relationships, improve business performance, and enhance the overall agent experience.
• Serve as the business owner for high-profile agent recognition, rewards, and engagement initiatives, including:
  • Best of Blue Top Agent Recognition Program
  • Producer Hall of Fame
  • Agency Rewards & Co-Op Marketing Program (design and implementation of next-generation program model)
  • Sales Training and Engagement Events
  • Agent Advisory Councils and Feedback Forums
  • Recognition Events, Awards Dinners, and Debrief Sessions
• Identify opportunities for program innovation and lead transformation efforts that improve effectiveness, scalability, and participant engagement.

Stakeholder Engagement & Influence

• Build strong partnerships with senior leaders, field sales teams, agency principals, and cross-functional stakeholders to align programs with business goals.
• Influence decision-making through data-driven recommendations, business cases, and strategic insights.
• Facilitate executive discussions, presentations, and planning sessions related to agent engagement strategies and program performance.
• Act as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert on agent engagement, recognition, and incentive best practices.

Program Design, Measurement & Optimization

• Assess business needs, market trends, and stakeholder feedback to identify new opportunities and enhance existing programs.
• Establish success metrics, performance indicators, and measurement frameworks to evaluate program effectiveness and ROI.
• Analyze program performance data and participant insights to drive continuous improvement and strategic recommendations.
• Develop executive-level reporting, presentations, and strategy updates that communicate outcomes, risks, opportunities, and recommendations.

Financial & Vendor Management

• Manage program budgets and investments to ensure responsible stewardship and alignment with business objectives.
• Develop business cases and funding proposals for new initiatives and program enhancements.
• Lead vendor selection, contract management, and ongoing relationship management to ensure service excellence and achievement of program objectives.
• Monitor vendor performance, negotiate deliverables, and drive accountability against established service expectations.

Operational Excellence

• Lead cross-functional project teams to successfully execute complex initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Identify and mitigate program risks while proactively managing dependencies and implementation challenges.
• Establish governance processes, documentation standards, and operating procedures that support sustainable program delivery.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies and regulatory requirements where applicable.

Travel Requirements

• Must reside in North Carolina.
• Approximately 30% travel within North Carolina to support agent engagement initiatives, field events, strategic meetings, and recognition programs.

Travel is required within the state of NC. Candidates for this role must live in NC. Onsite expectations will be discussed during the interview process.

What You Have

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Organizational Leadership, or related field and 5+ years experience.
• In lieu of degree 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in program management, sales enablement, agent or broker engagement, marketing, training, customer experience, or related disciplines.

Bonus Points

• Demonstrated experience planning and executing high-impact events from concept through completion, including event strategy, budgeting, vendor management, logistics, communications, attendee experience, and post-event evaluation for executive, sales, partner, or customer-facing audiences.
• Proven experience leading complex, cross-functional programs and initiatives, managing multiple workstreams, stakeholders, timelines, and deliverables to achieve measurable business outcomes.
• Proven experience designing, implementing, or enhancing rewards, recognition, incentive, loyalty, engagement, or sales-focused programs, preferably within sales distribution, agency relations, broker engagement, or sales operations.
• Proven ability to build strong relationships, influence stakeholders, and coordinate across internal teams, external partners, vendors, and senior leaders to successfully deliver programs, events, and business initiatives.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data, participant feedback, and program results to identify opportunities and improve future programs and events.
• Exceptional executive communication, presentation, facilitation, and project management skills, with the ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on execution in a fast-paced environment; PMP, Agile, Change Management, or related certification is a plus.
• Proficiency with data visualization and reporting tools, as well as design platforms such as Canva.

What You'll Get

• The opportunity to work at the cutting edge of health care delivery with a team that's deeply invested in the community

• Work-life balance, flexibility, and the autonomy to do great work

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage along with numerous health and wellness programs

• Parental leave and support plus adoption and surrogacy assistance

• Career development programs and tuition reimbursement for continued education

• 401k match including an annual company contribution

• Learn more

Where You'll Work

Our Hybrid-Flex approach is built on presence with a purpose - giving you flexibility to work remotely with intentional in-person connection that supports a workplace that's flexible, connected, and future focused.

In a Hybrid-Flex role, you'll work in the office at least two days a week for collaboration and connection. In a Remote-Flex role, you'll work virtually, with a few in-office visits each year for meaningful moments that matter.

Whether your role is Hybrid-Flex or Remote-Flex depends on the nature of the work and distance from our Durham headquarters. We welcome candidates from outside the local area and in any states listed on this job posting. Onsite expectations will be discussed during the interview process.

Salary Range

At Blue Cross NC, we take great pride in a fair and equitable compensation package that reflects market-price and our starting salaries are typically planned near the middle of the range listed. Compensation decisions are driven by factors including experience and training, specialized skill sets, licensure and certifications and other business and organizational needs. Our base salary is part of a robust Total Rewards package that includes an Annual Incentive Bonus, 401(k) with employer match, Paid Time Off (PTO), and competitive health benefits and wellness programs.

*Based on annual corporate goal achievement and individual performance.

$89,174.00 - $142,679.00