Careers

Collins and Associates of Traverse Bay Corporation, an established national insurance agency with a history of steady growth and strong commercial insurance focus, seeks a sales oriented Account Executive requiring advanced communication, relationship building and consultative sales skills. Previous experience and insurance industry knowledge is preferred. Candidate must be capable of pursuing and closing sales of new and existing commercial lines accounts and retaining assigned book of commercial lines business.

Location: Harbor Springs, Michigan

Hours: 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday – Thursday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Friday (Memorial Day-Labor Day 8:00am-4:00pm).

POSITION FUNCTIONS

1. Prospect for new business from new and existing clients.
2. Contact prospects for the purpose of providing a quotation and making sales appointments.
3. Survey prospects to determine insurance needs, evaluating current insurance policies and coverage limits and establishing risk management plans.
4. Collect detailed risk and underwriting information including survey data and loss history.
5. Develop and deliver formal proposals of insurance including details of coverages, limits, deductibles, coverage recommendation and other pertinent information according to agency standards for both new and renewal business.
6. Work with Underwriters and service team to complete company submissions and selection of potential markets.
7. Introduce service person to clients as an integral part of team and work together to create customer centric service plan.
8. Stay informed of all claims or service issues and become involved in resolution when required.
9. Promote agency in the community.
10. Keep informed of industry developments through review of trade press and by attending insurance carrier training meetings on new products, etc.
11. Develop trust and ongoing relationship with key insurance carriers.
12. Perform other specific duties and projects as assigned by agency management.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

1. Meet all performance and behavior expectations outlined in the company performance appraisal form or communicated by management.
2. Perform responsibilities as directed achieving desired results within expected time frames and with a high degree of quality and professionalism.
3. Establish and maintain positive and productive work relationships with all staff, clients and business partners.
4. Demonstrate behavioral and technical competencies necessary to effectively complete job responsibilities.
5. Take personal initiative for technical and professional development.
6. Follow the company HR policy, and all department procedures, including protecting confidential information, attending work punctually and regularly, open communication ad high morale.
7. Designation from the National Alliance – CIC, CRM preferred.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

1. Bachelors and/or advanced degree preferred.
2. Ten years successful sales experience, commercial lines insurance sales experience preferred.
3. Proven ability to pursue and close sales.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Fast-paced multi-tasking environment.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to see, hear, and project voice well enough without amplification. There is frequent need for the employee to stand, sit, walk, use hands and fingers, employ repetitive small motor activity, and reach with hands and arms.

The employee is occasionally required to lift and carry up to 30 pounds; to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and to ascend and descend stairs.

This position requires a high energy level and ability to handle stress-related situations on a daily basis.

GENERAL

This job description is intended to describe the level of work required of the person performing the job.

Essential functions are outlined; other duties may be assigned as needs arise or as required to support the agency’s essential functions.

This description is not intended as a contract and is subject to unilateral change and revision by management.

Any written contractual agreements will supersede this job description.

Salary and Benefits: We offer competitive salaries and benefits, including: medical/dental/vision plans, life insurance, short term and long term disability, 401(K), educational expense reimbursement, and more.

Collins and Associates, an established national insurance agency with a history of steady growth, seeks an experienced, licensed, highly organized Personal Lines Account Manager with strong people, problem solving, and communication skills, in the Traverse City area.

Office Locations: Grand Rapids, Harbor Springs or Kingsley (Traverse City area) Position will be working from our Kingsley office.

Hours: 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday – Thursday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Friday (Memorial Day-Labor Day 8:00am-4:00pm)

Reporting Relationship: Team Lead in Kingsley and Chief of Planning and Operations

Overall Purpose:

Personal Lines service and training oriented position, with some sales on account rounding the Book of Business, which requires excellent oral and written communication skills. The role requires thorough knowledge of insurance products and carriers. Must be detail-oriented, self-sufficient, a self-starter, and have effective decision making and negotiating skills in a fast-paced environment. Time management skills and the ability to multi-task are key components to this position. This position will be responsible to provide training, mentoring and coaching for current and newly added Personal Lines team members.

A front-lines, friendly, customer-service oriented personality and a positive, cooperative attitude are paramount. This position is a service, operations and training focused, with some internal sales on the AM’s Book of business by rounding out accounts. Thus excellent people skills and sales aptitude are important.

Main Tasks:

1. Prepare and present complete and competitive insurance quotes, subject to agency recommendations and company procedures.
2. Bind coverage with carriers subject to carrier guidelines and complete policies for issuance.
3. Run, convert to excel and work from an Expiration list to proactively conduct monthly account reviews for your book of business to improve retention, enhance client coverages, and to sell additional lines of coverage, including Life Insurance.
4. Complete revenue report in excel, tracking new and lost business.
   Submit claims to the carriers for clients, and follow up on those claims.
   Build and maintain rapport with co-workers, clients and company personnel.
5. Maintain underwriting and company knowledge by attending training with carriers and vendors within the industry.
6. Accept client payments.
7. Open Mail/date stamp and hand off to rating or processing. (as needed)
8. Maintain book of business, account round where applicable.
9. Manage walk in clients and process quick and simple change requests such as adding a vehicle, etc.
10. Identify accounts set up for non-renewal and connect with customer/company to discuss.
11. Represent the agency and your co-workers at some carrier meetings.
12. Participate and take good notes to bring back to the office and share with the team

Objectives / Performance Standards:

1. Actively supports and incorporates company mission and core values into daily activities.
2. Maintains a positive and respectful attitude with colleagues.
3. Works as a team member to achieve department goals and overall company goals.
4. Demonstrates positive customer service skills, internally and externally, with effective communication, respect, and integrity.
5. Maintains confidentiality of all information related to clients, customers, employees, carriers, or as appropriate, other information.
6. Consistently reports to work on time prepared to perform duties of position.

Office Equipment / Software Used:

1. Windows-based desktop computer
2. Inter-office network; Internet access; e-mail – internally, with carriers, and with prospects/clients/others
3. Agency Management System and related programs
4. ACS Rating Platform
5. Microsoft Word and Excel.
6. MVR, Credit Report, Clue Report software/website
7. Telephone; Fax; Copier; Printer

Qualification Requirements:

1. Possesses an energetic, supportive and responsive manner with internal and external customers.
2. Possesses High School diploma or equivalent.
3. Holds a Property/casualty agent’s license.
4. Has three or more years of insurance experience.
5. Has ability to perform multiple tasks in complex working environment accurately and efficiently.
6. Possesses average computer knowledge and skills.
7. Will begin working on new insurance designation within 6 months of beginning employment.
8. Will pursue continued education from the Society of CIC towards a C.I.S.R. or C.I.C. designation.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to see, hear, and project voice well enough without amplification. There is frequent need for the employee to stand, sit, walk, use hands and fingers, employ repetitive small motor activity, and reach with hands and arms.

The employee is occasionally required to lift and carry up to 30 pounds; to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and to ascend and descend stairs.

This position requires a high energy level and ability to handle stress-related situations on a daily basis.

Salary and Benefits:

We offer competitive salaries and benefits, including: bonus programs, medical/dental/vision plans, life insurance, short term and long term disability, 401(K), educational expense reimbursement, possible relocation package, and more.