Zopper - Vice President - Distribution - Life Insurance Vertical (15-25 yrs)

About Zopper

Zopper is a series D-funded startup in the insurtech space. We enable large B2C businesses to offer insurance to their customers. We do this by fusing insurance and technology seamlessly to provide end-to-end solutions to our Business partners.

Job Overview:

The incumbent of Distribution will be responsible for leading and driving the overall distribution strategy for Life Insurance sales and channel management. This role involves managing key relationships with distribution partners, overseeing the development of sales channels, and ensuring the effective execution of sales strategies to achieve business growth and market share objectives.

The incumbent will also drive business development initiatives, shape the company's distribution architecture, and ensure alignment with overall business goals. This role will focus on both sales performance and continuous innovation in distribution models.

Role and responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Planning:

- Develop and execute the overall distribution strategy for life insurance sales and across multiple channels including direct sales, third party distribution, agency, and digital platforms.

- Formulate and implement key strategies for expanding market share, increasing sales, and optimizing distribution capabilities.

- Lead the assessment and design of innovative sales and distribution models to keep pace with industry trends, regulatory changes, and customer preferences.

2. Sales Channel Development & Management:

- Oversee the creation and management of effective sales channels to drive growth across diverse distribution avenues, with particular focus on POS and alternate channels.

- Lead the recruitment, training, and development of channel partners, agents, and distributors.

- Drive the optimization of existing distribution channels, ensuring efficiency, profitability, and customer satisfaction.

3. Business Development & Market Expansion:

- Identify and develop new business opportunities and strategic partnerships to expand distribution channels and market reach.

- Lead initiatives to enter new markets, both domestic and international, and build strong networks with potential distributors, partners, and collaborators.

- Drive innovative business development strategies to generate additional revenue streams and enhance the company's competitive position in the market.

- Develop and implement growth plans, setting clear milestones for new client acquisitions, geographic expansion, and product penetration.

4. Relationship Management:

- Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key distribution partners, brokers, financial institutions, and strategic alliances to ensure long-term collaboration.

- Engage with senior leadership in partner organizations to ensure alignment on mutual goals, performance metrics, and sales initiatives.

5. Process Improvement & Optimization:

- Continuously evaluate and improve sales and distribution processes to enhance efficiency, scalability, and customer experience.

- Identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies within the distribution process and develop actionable plans to streamline operations.

- Lead the implementation of best practices and innovative approaches across the distribution function, ensuring a seamless, high-performing operation.

- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging the team to suggest and implement process enhancements.

- Leverage technology to drive operational efficiency, utilizing automation and digital tools to streamline processes, reporting, and data analytics.

6. Innovation & Market Trends:

- Lead the development and adoption of new distribution technologies and digital tools to enhance customer experience and sales efficiency.

- Stay abreast of market trends, competitor strategies, and customer needs, adjusting distribution strategies accordingly to maintain competitive edge.

Prerequisites

- Minimum of 15 years of experience in sales and distribution leadership, specifically in life insurance, with a proven track record in channel management, third party distribution, POS model distribution, business development, and process improvement.

- Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, or a related field. An MBA or advanced degree in a related field is highly preferred.

- Strong expertise in the life insurance industry