Vice President of Carrier Relations

The Vice President of Carrier Relations is responsible for developing and executing WalkerHughes' carrier relationship strategy across Personal Lines, Commercial Lines, and Employee Benefits. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, this executive leader serves as the primary liaison between WalkerHughes and its carrier partners, driving strategic partnerships, negotiating agency agreements, expanding market access, and maximizing carrier profitability.

This role partners closely with Sales, Operations, Finance, and Agency Integration to ensure WalkerHughes maintains strong carrier relationships while supporting profitable growth and successful acquisitions.

Key Responsibilities

Carrier Strategy & Executive Partnerships

• Develop and execute the agency's carrier strategy to support long-term growth and profitability.
• Lead WalkerHughes' enterprise carrier optimization strategy by designing and executing initiatives that improve carrier economics, strengthen market relationships, optimize carrier placement for clients, and create operational efficiencies across the organization.
• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with insurance carriers, wholesalers, aggregators, and strategic market partners.
• Lead annual carrier business planning, performance reviews, and strategic partnership initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to expand market access, carrier appointments, product offerings, and specialty market capabilities.

Contracting & Market Optimization

• Negotiate carrier appointments, agency agreements, commission structures, and strategic partnership terms.
• Maximize contingency income, profit-sharing opportunities, and supplemental carrier agreements.
• Evaluate carrier performance, profitability, appetite, and growth opportunities using data-driven insights.
• Develop placement strategies that improve producer success, client outcomes, and agency profitability.

Licensing, Contracting & Compliance

• Partner with the Director of Agency Integration to support the successful onboarding of newly acquired agencies.
• Collaborate on carrier appointments, licensing, contracting, and compliance activities to ensure seamless agency transitions.
• Provide strategic guidance on carrier relationships, market access, and agency agreements to support successful integration and long-term growth.

Agency Growth & M&A

• Partner with executive leadership on carrier strategy related to acquisitions and agency expansion.
• Lead carrier due diligence, appointment transitions, and market optimization for newly acquired agencies.
• Develop standardized carrier transition processes that support seamless agency integrations.

Executive Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop the Carrier Relations and Licensing & Contracting teams.
• Establish departmental KPIs, scorecards, and performance metrics.
• Partner with executive leadership to identify strategic growth opportunities and improve operational efficiency.
• Develop communication and training programs to educate producers and agency leaders on carrier initiatives, products, and market changes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent industry experience.
• 10+ years of insurance industry experience in carrier relations, underwriting, commercial insurance, or agency leadership.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing teams and strategic initiatives.
• Active Property & Casualty License required.
• Demonstrated success negotiating carrier partnerships, agency agreements, and market strategies.
• Strong executive presence with exceptional leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.

Travel

Travel approximately 25-30% to carrier meetings, agency locations, acquisition activities, and industry conferences.