VP, Digital Distribution & Strategy

Banner Life family of companies; Urbana (MD); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Annual bonuses

Vacation & sick days

Health insurance

401(k) with company match

Pension plan

Professional development

Job summary

Banner Life Insurance Company seeks a VP of Digital Distribution & Strategy to lead strategic growth across channels, including partnerships and direct-to-consumer. You will shape the distribution roadmap, collaborate cross-functionally, and drive profitability through new deals and optimized performance.

Expect accountability for P&L, market expansion, and leadership of multiple teams, with a focus on durable, customer-centric growth and long-term value for Banner Life and its clients.

Qualifications

• 10 years of industry experience with leadership roles.
• In-depth knowledge of protection products.
• Ability to analyze sales reports and results.
• Experience writing sales materials and executive presentations.
• Proven ability to identify new markets and build relationships with key decision makers.

Responsibilities

• Own development and execution of the Digital Distribution strategic plan.
• Provide input for product development, pricing, and underwriting strategies.
• Own the P&L for the distribution segment and set annual sales targets.
• Identify growth opportunities and drive business development strategy.
• Collaborate with marketing to build a strong brand in the market.
• Lead cross-functional teams to develop distribution pipelines.
• Prioritize opportunities and lead outreach to close deals.
• Launch new market initiatives and scale successful channels.
• Advise senior management on sales potential and strategic partnerships.
• Oversee staffing and direct reports in the distribution teams.
• Communicate implementation progress and achieve profitability goals.

Skills

Executive leadership

Sales analytics

Market development

Strategic partnership

Public speaking

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Job description

Overview

At Banner Life Insurance Company, we lead with heart and ambition. Every day, we transform purpose into progress, guided by our unwavering commitment to be better for our customers, clients, and communities, not just today but long-term as well. Our people are the driving force behind everything we achieve. Their passion, purpose, and pursuit of innovation empower us to deliver cutting‑edge solutions that support those we serve, ensuring we are here for you, here for good and striving for better.

We’re a forward‑thinking company energized by our work and how we show up for one another. Our culture is built on meaningful impact and genuine enjoyment, because we believe great work and great experiences should go hand in hand.

By offering career development opportunities, comprehensive benefits, and programs that support your wellbeing, we help you thrive personally and professionally. We are here for you, here for good and here for better.

The VP, Digital Distribution & Strategy is responsible for setting the strategic direction and driving growth across all Digital Distribution channels including Partnerships, Direct Marketers, Network IMO, and Direct-to-Consumer distribution, while landing new distribution deals with new, alternative distribution sources. Working in close collaboration with SVP, Distribution, Marketing & Strategic Growth, create a strategic plan and long‑term vision founded in growth and profitability for this growing segment of distribution.

Work with the Digital Distribution channel leaders to Identify and develop distribution opportunities to create expanded market presence and future growth, as well as, diversification. Leverage Banner Life’s digital capabilities to win new deals and expand current distribution.

Responsibilities

• Own the development, leadership and execution of the Digital Distribution strategic plan inclusive of sales and forecasting. Provide key input for product development, pricing and underwriting strategies to be implemented in Banner Life’s digital platforms to drive sales growth

• Own the overall P&L for the distribution segment. Determine annual sales plan and gross profit targets across all Digital Distribution segments. Implement distribution strategies, analyze trends and measure results. Propose tactics to drive sales growth, increase profitability and drive VNB.

• Assist Digital Distribution channel leaders to identify and qualify growth opportunities to drive business development strategy and growth for target markets.

• Collaborates with Digital Distribution team to ensure business development plans are aligned with growth and profitability goals

• Works with cross‑functional teams of partners and channel teams to ensure development and execution of distribution pipelines

• Collaborate with Marketing to develop a brand image for the organization and communicate that brand throughout the market to land new strategic distribution partnerships and expand current accounts.

• Identify alternative markets and distributions in which Banner Life currently has little‑to‑no presence. Opportunities to leverage digital capabilities include other insurance companies, P&C, financial institutions, on‑line advisory services, and other affinity groups. Develop market study and business strategy for exploring these potential areas of new production.

• Analyze market trends and competitive landscape to understand and inform senior management of intelligence gathered impacting market share and competitiveness of Banner Life value proposition

• Collaborate and communicate with current markets and distributions currently for which Banner Life has product and digital capabilities which could create significant new sales potential.

• Define the requirements for each market opportunity with regard to products, marketing, new business processes, customer service, underwriting and support – including an assessment of costs and potential production.

• Work with company leadership to prioritize opportunities and schedule accordingly. Once identified, lead all efforts to contact, present, and close each opportunity.

• Lead the development and launch of each new market initiative; build plans to leverage each success through the relevant channel.

• Advise senior management, distribution and appropriate business areas on the sales potential of strategic accounts, support structures and other key initiatives. Act as primary contact between Banner Life and outside business partners.
• Establish and meet goals, both long and short‑term, for each initiative to include consistent and timely communication of implementation progress.

• Other projects and assignments as determined by senior management.

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree - Sales, Marketing, Business Management or related field

Experience/Knowledge

10 years industry experience, with at least 5 years in a team building and management role

In-depth knowledge of a broad range of protection products

Ability to create and analyze sales reports and results

Skills necessary to write sales material and interpret technical material

Experience creating and delivering presentations at an executive level

Ability to identify new market opportunities, develop business strategies, and establish and foster relationships with key decision makers.

Skills

Well‑developed organization skills and ability to successfully manage multiple issues and demands

Excellent interpersonal and business communications skills (poise, presence, and presentation)

Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Some travel required

Reports To

SVP, Distribution, Marketing & Strategic Growth

Direct Staff

1 FI Partnerships, VP

2 Digital Growth, VPs

1 National Accounts, VP

1 Strategic Partnerships, VP

1 Director, Direct‑to‑Consumer & Digital Platform Distribution Leader

1 Director, Digital Partnerships & Marketing

What’s in it for you?

• The total compensation package for this position includes competitive base salary and includes other elements, such as a sign‑on bonus, long term incentives, and annual bonuses.
• This role is eligible to participate in the Annual Incentive Bonus Plan.
• Bonuses are pro‑rated based on start date.
• This role has 20 vacation days and 10 sick days that are accrued on a bi‑weekly basis.
• Employees also have 9 paid holidays throughout the calendar year.

• We have a competitive compensation and benefits package focused on your overall wellbeing.
• Employee benefits include health, life, and dental insurance
• 401K with company match up to 6% as well as a pension package
• generous time off
• and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year (we like doing fun stuff)
• We’re big on professional development and we’ll support and mentor you in your career progression and expect you to help us pay it forward by helping us develop tomorrow's leaders and growth‑focused professionals.
• We value our teams and our communities and believe in giving back.
• Enjoy time off to volunteer for those causes that matter most to you!

If hired, employee will be in an “at‑will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors. The Company reserves the right to change benefits plans at any time.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.