Operations Manager

Company Description

Optimized Insurance Planning, OIP, is a national firm of experienced insurance planners dedicated to a client-centric experience.  We understand and embrace a holistic financial planning process with how we approach risk management solutions to include annuities and life and long-term care insurance.  We achieve this by enhancing impactful relationships with Financial Professionals who are committed to acting in a Client’s Best Interests.

An insurance product, by itself, is not right for everyone. The way to optimize insurance is through a planning process delivered by an experienced professional.  We are committed to building lasting relationships that create memorable experiences.

Job Description

We are seeking an Operations Manager to join our senior leadership team at our Northlake home office. This individual will play a crucial role in shaping the success of our sales associates and optimizing our operational efficiency. The bulk of your time will be dedicated to guiding, mentoring, and developing our sales team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and sales excellence. Your remaining efforts will focus on optimizing our sales operations and leveraging technology to streamline processes and enhance productivity, ensuring a seamless and client-centric experience.

This role requires a hands-on leader who can manage day-to-day activities while also contributing to the long-term strategic vision of the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

Associate Mentorship & Development:

• Provide strategic guidance, support, and mentorship to sales associates, fostering their professional growth and enhancing their sales capabilities.

• Develop and implement training programs and resources to improve sales performance, product knowledge, and client engagement.

• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings with sales associates to discuss performance, set goals, address challenges, and provide constructive feedback.

• Lead engaging team meetings to facilitate knowledge sharing, collaboration, and alignment on sales objectives.

• Collaborate with sales leadership to identify and address performance gaps, implementing targeted development plans.

Operations & Technology Optimization:

• Agent Onboarding & Licensing: Manage and streamline the onboarding and licensing process for new sales associates, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience.

• Operational Procedures: Maintain existing Operational Procedures and Guides, regularly reviewing and updating them as necessary to reflect best practices and regulatory changes, with a focus on technology integration.

• Carrier Liaison: Serve as the primary liaison for all carrier escalations related to licensing, contracting, and new business submissions, resolving issues effectively and timely.

• Commission Management: Oversee and manage the processing and reconciliation of commission reports from individual carriers, ensuring accuracy and timeliness, leveraging technology for efficiency.

• Process Optimization: Continuously evaluate and improve operational processes and workflows, particularly through the strategic implementation of technology, to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and service quality.

• Strategic Contribution: Collaborate with the CEO and other leaders to develop and implement operational and technological strategies that support the company's growth and client-centric mission.

• Performance Management: Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for operational functions, providing regular reports to leadership, utilizing data analytics for insights.

Qualifications

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Finance, Insurance, or a related field is required. Master’s degree (MBA or relevant field) is preferred.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in operations management, with at least 3 years in a leadership or managerial role, preferably within an insurance/financial agency or similar environment.

• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, process engineering, project management, and change management, with an emphasis on technology adoption.

• Experience in managing budgets and financial performance of operational units.

• Strong understanding of insurance products (annuities, life, long-term care), policy lifecycle, agent licensing and contracting, new business submission, and regulatory requirements in the insurance industry preferred. 

Skills & Abilities:

• Exceptional leadership, team-building, and peo