Director, Business Development

Established in 2021, Independence Pet Holdings is a corporate holding company that manages a diverse and broad portfolio of modern pet health brands and services, including insurance, pet education, lost recovery services, and more throughout North America.

We believe pet insurance is more than a financial product and build solutions to simplify the pet parenting journey and help improve the well-being of pets. As a leading authority in the pet category, we operate with a full stack of resources, capital, and services to support pet parents. Our multi-brand and omni-channel approach include our own insurance carrier, insurance brands and partner brands. 

Pets Best, a subsidiary of IPH, offers pet insurance and wellness plans for dogs and cats in every state. Founded in 2005 with a mission to provide access to comprehensive animal healthcare at an affordable price, Pets Best delivers flexible coverage, an easy claims process, and excellent customer service. 

Job Summary: 

Pets Best is seeking a Director, Business Development, who will be responsible for overseeing new business development and sales initiatives primarily within the group and employee benefits channel, and may expand into other channels. Efforts will be focused on forming and developing relationships with key broker and technology distribution partners to acquire new group clients and drive increased penetration and pet insurance sales from existing clients. In addition to managing a small sales team, the role will cultivate, maintain, and support relationships with key national employee benefits brokerage accounts, strategic technology and service provider partners, and other strategic distribution partners and work cross-functionally to execute initiatives and strategies.

Job Location: Remote

Main Responsibilities:  

• Lead the development and execution of Pets Best’s employee benefits distribution strategy

• Manage sales team and cross-functional teams to develop, implement and execute new strategic partnerships and programs with existing partners

• Increase new group opportunities and close ratios by building, developing and maintaining close relationships with decision makers of group benefit brokers; and conducting strategic account planning and annual and/or quarterly broker stewardship meetings for key brokers and other group distribution partners

• Partner with marketing team to develop and execute trade show, association, and strategic partner marketing plan to support channel distribution efforts

• Develop and deliver persuasive marketing/sales strategies, materials and campaign presentations based on understanding of business issues, requirements and needs of potential partners and clients

• Manage, track and report on pipeline development for prospective strategic accounts and performance of existing accounts; oversee the development and production of sales reporting and analytics

• Address service issues as raised by strategic partners

• Stay informed on industry trends, competitive intelligence, and marketing conditions; identify program and product opportunities to drive growth in the employee benefits distribution channel

• Attend and participate in company and team meetings, trainings, trade shows, industry and partner meetings and travel as needed

• Perform other duties and/or special projects as assigned

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or 5+ years of experience in sales in the insurance or financial services industry

• 2+ years’ experience delivering formal communications to senior business leaders of large corporations

• Must possess a property & casualty insurance producer license or obtain one within 60 days after hire

• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience working with or selling voluntary employee benefit products and

• 10+ years’ experience in insurance and/or voluntary benefits sales with a track record of results

• Prior sales management experience and business development experience calling on senior level organizational leadership 

• Strong business/industry acumen and presenting to C-level executives within the insurance industry

• Demonstrated understanding of employee benefits distribution and payroll deduction and billing cycles and processes

• Analytical thinker with excellent communication skills

• Proven ability to influence corporate decision makers; strong negotiation skills

• Proven ability to work independently

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All of our jobs come with great benefits including healthcare, parental leave and opportunities for career advancements. Some offerings are dependent upon the location of where you work and can include the following:

• Comprehensive full medical, dental and vision Insurance
• Basic Life Insurance at no cost to the employee
• Company paid short-term and long-term disability
• 12 weeks of 100% paid Parental Leave
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Retirement savings plan
• Personal Paid Time Off
• Paid holidays and company-wide Wellness Day off
• Paid time off to volunteer at nonprofit organizations
• Pet friendly office environment
• Commuter Benefits
• Group Pet Insurance
• On the job training and skills development
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)