SVP, Insurance

AgWest Farm Credit is a member-owned financial cooperative that provides financing and related services to farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, commercial fishermen, timber producers, rural homeowners and crop insurance customers in a seven-state territory in the Western United States. AgWest is part of the 100+ year-old Farm Credit System – the leading provider of credit to American agriculture.

AgWest champions the growth and advancement of agriculture, the value of rural communities, and the vital contribution our customers make to the economy and society. We serve customers in 59 locations throughout the West.

We are in search of a SVP, Insurance to join our California Lending and Insurance department at any California branch. This full-time position reports to the State President and provides leadership, direction, standards, and support to all insurance services staff. Manages the insurance portfolio to achieve customer service, growth, profitability and insurance administration goals in accordance with association's purpose, policies and procedures. Provides marketing and administration leadership and support to guide insurance and cross selling activities. Ensures high levels of customer and employee engagement.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule and one-time home office stipend after initial training period.

Compensation Information

The base salary range for this position in California is $127,000 - $233,000; bonus at target is 25% of salary.

Job Requirements

• Sales Profitability Management:
• Ensure profitability targets are met within all areas of responsibility. Effectively prepares, implements and monitors state marketing plans. This involves auditing current marketing plans, making any necessary improvements and providing guidance to staff in implementing these plans. Actively participates in high profile customer and prospect calls.
• Organize staff to promote marketing focus and quality customer service by overseeing daily workflow and providing necessary feedback to staff. Assist State President in developing business strategy, products and operational process which enables staff to focus their time predominantly towards customer service, marketing and community involvement.
• Develop and implement public relations and advertising goals and objectives. This involves research to determine which events to attend and how to best advertise the services provided by AgWest. Actively works with assigned staff to advance AgWest Stewardship and Community Service Initiatives.
• Actively works with the Local Advisory Committee Staff Lead to ensure effective and meaningful local advisor meetings on a quarterly basis, and ensure effective customer appreciation events for assigned branch locations in coordination with other groups.
• Effectively work with customers and other AgWest employees and outside parties. This includes generating referrals, coordinating marketing efforts and communicating well across group and team hierarchy.
• Insurance Administration/Controls/Quality:
• Work in cooperation with employees and partners to ensure proactive insurance management in support of the AgWest portfolio strategy which results in insurance administration and profitability meeting or exceeding company goals. Acts on policy actions under delegated authority.
• Work in cooperation with Corporate Insurance leadership to ensure accurate reporting and strong internal controls.
• Ensure staff administers assigned policies to maximize the return to AgWest while simultaneously ensuring excellent customer service.
• Actively and positively assist and coordinate with Internal Audit, FCA and other audit groups assessing AgWest controls and performance. Establish appropriate monitoring systems to accurately inform management of insurance administration activities and results within assigned region.
• Additional Duties:
• Ensure a cooperative relationship between area of supervision and other groups within the company to ensure timely and constructive service to customers.
• Assist with the organization of industry teams for commodity groups prevalent in the region.
• Submit annual budget and other required planning input. Monitor budget and plans against results on an ongoing basis. This involves analysis, accounting for costs and providing and implementing recommendations to lessen those costs and optimize income.
• Support AgWest's Enterprise Risk Management initiatives, systems and philosophies as appropriate.
• Human Resource Leadership:
• Provide proactive human resource leadership to promote high levels of employee engagement, customer service, teamwork and productivity.
• Promote a diverse and inclusive workplace throughout the organization.
• Ensure performance management actions are consistent across area of responsibility and aligned with association expectations.
• Promote talent management and succession planning to ensure adequate and effective staffing through employee transitions.
• Communicate and model AgWest's commitment to employee and customer engagement; actively work with assigned staff to advance stewardship and community service initiatives.
• Perform all duties and maintains all standards in accordance with association policies, procedures, and internal controls, and ensure assigned staff follow association policies, procedures and internal controls.
• Represent and communicate the values, purpose and mission of the association to employees, customers, the public and other target audiences.
  

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business, accounting, finance, economics, or related field, or agricultural related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Significant and progressively responsible insurance and/or finance industry experience.
• Proven ability to lead by example as an individual contributor or manager.
• Ability to effectively identify, hire, and develop strong talent, and maintain a high performing team.
• Appropriate State Insurance Agent license must be obtained within 12 months of assuming the role.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Effective employee coaching and development skills.
• Successful track record of managing staff.
• Previous employment within the Farm Credit System.
  
  

Benefits Offered By AgWest

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Basic term life and AD&D insurance (fully paid for by the company)
• Paid days off annually: 15 vacation*, 15 sick, 11 holidays and 3 volunteer
• 401(k) plan (6% match plus 3% employer contribution)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
• Jeans are welcome at work every day at AgWest!
• Vacation accrual rates increase with tenure.
  
  

Details about insurance and retirement benefits are available at: https://www.farmcreditfoundations.com/fcfbenefits

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender orientation, national origin, marital status, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by law.

When you apply for a position with AgWest Farm Credit, we collect personal identifiers (from your resume and other application information you submit), such as your name, email address, mailing address, telephone number(s) and employment and education related information. This helps us evaluate job applicants for hiring opportunities, and, communicate with them.

To comply with federal regulations for equal employment opportunity and affirmative action (EEO/AA), we track our applicants by gender, race/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, and the position for which they applied. You will be presented with a voluntary self-identification form as part of this application; we wanted you to know why we collect this information and what we do with it. Please be aware that this information is kept separate from your application, and not utilized in the selection process.

For more information about the information AgWest Farm Credit collects, please see the