Program Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary: The Program Manager is responsible for the development, implementation, and ongoing management of specialized insurance programs to drive sustainable growth and profitability. This role focuses on identifying market opportunities, collaborating with underwriting, sales, and carrier partners, and ensuring programs are structured to meet complex risk and regulatory requirements. The Program Manager plays a key role in expanding market presence, optimizing program performance, and supporting long-term client and partner relationships through effective oversight, data-driven decision-making, and strategic planning.

Essential Duties / Responsibilities:

• Develop, launch, and manage trucking insurance programs, ensuring profitability, compliance, and long-term sustainability.
• Collaborate with underwriting department to develop and integrate technology solutions that enhance underwriting processes, focusing on workflow optimization, risk selection, and underwriting discipline, with an emphasis on improving current-state (V2) operations and exploring future projects.
• Establish, negotiate, and manage contracts, procedures, and ongoing relationships with carrier partners and MGAs.
• Lead detailed onboarding and ongoing management of carrier relationships and approved insurance programs, ensuring alignment with underwriting appetite and operational standards.
• Collaborate with IT and technology partners on software development and system enhancements related to underwriting workflows, agency integrations, and program management.
• Prepare and deliver monthly underwriting productivity, performance, and forecast reports to the CEO.
• Support the evaluation, onboarding, and stabilization of new programs and carrier opportunities while strengthening and maintaining existing program relationships.
• Collaborate with carrier partners, reinsurers, and underwriting teams to design program structures, pricing models, coverage forms, and underwriting guidelines.
• Coordinate with claims partners to review claims performance, loss control strategies, and claims handling effectiveness to improve overall program results.
• Lead renewal strategies and negotiations with carrier partners and MGAs.
• Support sales and distribution teams by providing underwriting training, technical guidance, and program education to approved agencies.
• Drive brand awareness and market presence by representing the company at approved industry conferences, events, and networking opportunities, with a focus on expanding relationships in trucking and auto liability markets.
• Contribute to agency engagement and attraction efforts by supporting program positioning, underwriting clarity, and operational excellence.
• Participate in training, development, and performance management of the underwriting team in collaboration with company leadership.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities (KSA’s):

• Teamwork-- Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Interpersonal Skills--Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' as and tries new things.
• Ethics-- Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Problem Solving --Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Technical Skills --Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.
• Oral Communication-- Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Written Communication-- Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Quality Management-- Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Organizational Support-- Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
• Strategic Thinking-- Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; Analyzes market and competition; Identifies external threats and opportunities; Adapts strategy to changing conditions.
• Judgment-- Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Professionalism-- Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Quality-- Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Attendance/Punctuality -- Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Dependability-- Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Initiative-- Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
• Innovation-- Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.

Minimum Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Risk Management, Insurance, Aviation, Marine Studies, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Minimum of 5–7years of progressive experience in commercial insurance sales, carrier or MGA experience.
• Active Property & Casualty (P&C) insurance license in the applicable state(s), or ability to obtain required licensing within a specified timeframe.
• Experience building and managing relationships with clients, carriers, underwriters, brokers, and industry partners.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to analyze risk exposures and recommend appropriate insurance solutions tailored to client needs.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with internal teams.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple accounts, priorities, and deadlines

Preferred:

• Advanced underwriting/brokering certifications (e.g., CPCU, AU, ARM, CIC, or similar).
• Prior experience in a Managing General Agency (MGA) or specialty insurance environment.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with carriers and negotiating underwriting expectations.
• Experience supporting business growth initiatives and market expansion strategies.
• Track record of automating and streamlining processes.
• Proven ability to leverage data in risk analysis and strategic decision making.
• Established relationships with carriers, vendors, and agencies.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Primarily seated, computer‑based office role
• Moderate noise level typical of a professional office environment
• Fully on‑site position
• Standard business hours with occasional extended hours to support service demands