Head of Distribution

Job Description:

Seeking an experienced Head of Distribution to build, lead, and scale its national distribution strategy for its fast-growing US life and annuity insurance business. This senior role oversees all external sales channels and partnerships, drives producer engagement, and works closely with product, marketing, and actuarial teams to create market-leading offerings for independent agents, IMOs/FMOs, broker-dealers, and strategic partners.

The ideal candidate has deep industry relationships, a strong understanding of annuity and life product economics, and a proven track record of building high-performing distribution networks.

Key Responsibilities1. Distribution Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute the company’s national distribution strategy across independent agents, IMOs/FMOs, broker-dealers, banks, and institutional partners.
• Build a scalable, data-driven distribution framework to support rapid growth of life and annuity products (e.g., MYGA, FIA, term life, preneed, and future offerings).
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, and performance management of IMOs and other key channels.
• Set clear growth targets, compensation structures, and channel performance metrics.

2. Relationship & Channel Management

• Own and deepen relationships with top IMOs, agencies, and broker-dealers to drive consistent premium flow.
• Serve as the primary executive contact for distribution partners, ensuring responsive service, strong product support, and long-term alignment.
• Negotiate distribution agreements, compensation schedules, and partnership terms.

3. Product Development & Market Alignment

• Collaborate with actuarial, product, underwriting, and investments to develop competitive life and annuity products tailored for distribution partners.
• Lead white-label and co-branded product initiatives with IMOs and institutions.
• Identify gaps in the market, emerging producer needs, and competitive shifts to guide new product innovation.

4. Sales Enablement & Field Engagement

• Build tools, training, and messaging that empower producers to position the company’s products effectively.
• Oversee producer education, product launches, webinars, and in-person events.
• Ensure efficient onboarding processes through partnerships with platforms like SuranceBay, FireLight, or similar systems.

5. Compliance, Governance & Operational Excellence

• Work with compliance and legal teams to ensure distribution activities adhere to state and federal regulatory requirements.
• Establish best-practice onboarding, suitability review processes, and oversight frameworks for agent and distributor activity.
• Maintain disciplined reporting on channel performance, pipeline development, and emerging opportunities for executive leadership.

6. Strategic Partnerships & Growth Initiatives

• Explore and secure new distribution channels, including digital platforms, banks, affinity groups, and wealth-management networks.
• Lead discussions on international distribution and cross-border opportunities when applicable.
• Drive strategic alliances that expand reach and premium volume, including white-label programs, fee-based solutions, and bespoke offerings for large partners.

Qualifications:

• Extensive experience in life and annuity distribution within the US market - preferably in senior distribution leadership roles.
• Deep established relationships with IMOs, leading agencies, broker-dealers, and institutional distribution networks.
• Strong understanding of product pricing, competitiveness, and what drives sales in independent channels.
• Demonstrated ability to scale premium volume across multiple channels.
• Excellent negotiation skills and comfort navigating complex partnership structures.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with product, actuarial, operations, and compliance teams.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance near-term production goals with long-term platform growth.