Strategic Partner Success Manager - Insurance Distribution

National Life Group

Addison (TX)

Hybrid

USD 94,000 - 138,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Job summary

National Life Group seeks a Relationship Manager to strengthen partner confidence, drive operational readiness, and coordinate activity between Distribution and the Customer Innovation Group. You will own onboarding and ongoing relationships for a portfolio of Distribution partners, driving adoption of new capabilities and measurable business outcomes.

The role emphasizes proactive problem solving, strategic relationship management, and alignment with regulatory and enterprise considerations

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and 8+ years of related work experience, OR an advanced degree and 5+ years of related experience, OR 12+ years of total equivalent work experience.
Relevant experience in life insurance, annuities, financial services, relationship management, distribution support, Operations, business readiness, or a related field.
Strong insurance industry and distribution acumen, including an understanding of current market trends, competitive practices, and how different agency structures affect onboarding, service, technology, training, and quality of business.
Strong knowledge of life insurance and/or annuity distribution and the operational processes that support new business, underwriting, policy issuance, service, and field support.
Knowledge of different distribution models, such as MLM, IMO, Direct, Brokerage, or comparable structures.
Demonstrated experience leading complex partner relationships, onboarding, operational initiatives, or cross-functional problem solving.
Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills and the ability to develop practical, scalable solutions for ambiguous or emerging business needs.
Proven ability to work proactively, identify opportunities without waiting for formal direction, and move ideas from concept through execution and measurable results.
Ability to independently evaluate ambiguous business issues, choose appropriate approaches, and influence outcomes without direct authority.
Experience using operational metrics, partner insight, and business context to identify trends, explain what is driving performance, and recommend improvements.
Experience developing business cases, recommendations, or initiatives that influenced operational or technology priorities.
Strong written, verbal, presentation, and facilitation skills, including the ability to prepare briefing materials and communicate effectively with senior internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and significant areas of accountability in a matrixed environment.
Ability to travel as needed.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and relevant collaboration, CRM, workflow, and reporting tools.

Responsibilities

Own the operational health, readiness, and experience of assigned Distribution partner relationships, acting as a primary connection between partners and the Customer Innovation Group (service and operations), with a focus on strengthening relationships and retaining and growing business.
Build a thorough understanding of each partner's structure, business practices, growth priorities, technology, service expectations, training needs, and quality-of-business considerations.
Set relationship plans, short and mid-term objectives (one year or less), governance routines, and communication approaches that support Distribution and service and operations goals.
Coordinate marketing, sales, and support services for assigned accounts so partners receive consistent, coordinated support across NLG.
Anticipate new operational needs and bring in the right functional teams before they become significant partner or business issues.
Lead the Operations experience for partner onboarding and for significant business, product, process, or technology changes, from planning through stabilization.
Create readiness plans that bring together milestones, responsibilities, dependencies, education, communications, risks, and success measures.
Represent the partner perspective in implementation planning, testing, communications, training, and post-implementation assessment for assigned relationships.
Explain operational and technology changes to Distribution partners in terms of what they mean for the business and what to do next.
Track adoption, early performance, and partner feedback, identify barriers, and drive adjustments when intended outcomes aren't met.
Lead resolution of complex partner issues that span functions by defining the problem, clarifying who owns what, aligning stakeholders, and keeping work moving through closure.
Use independent judgment to decide when established approaches are enough and when new solutions, escalation, or leadership decisions are needed.
Balance advocacy for Distribution with customer, regulatory, risk, operational, financial, and enterprise considerations.
Combine operational metrics, partner feedback, adoption results, service trends, and quality-of-business information into a single view of relationship performance.
Separate isolated events from recurring patterns, and lead or support root-cause analysis and improvement efforts that reduce recurring friction.
Prepare client presentations and briefing materials for senior management covering relationship health, key commitments, risks, and recommendations.
All other duties as assigned.