Business Development Specialist - Truck Transportation and National Accounts

National Interstate, a division of Great American Insurance Group (NYSE: AFG), is a leading writer of commercial transportation insurance with a 30-year history of growth and profitability. We sell our products through a network of specialty insurance producers nationwide. Our Business Development Specialists are the quarterbacks of new business deals, working with our producers to identify, qualify and ultimately win new business. The role is centered around developing relationships with producers and then determining if a particular prospect is worth investing time on; and if it is, figuring out how to win the business. You will be surrounded with a fun and talented team to collaborate with, including our product managers and underwriters who are pricing the deal.

Ideal Characteristics

• Super organized– can keep track of lots of disparate information. Uses Salesforce to track leads, submissions and workflows. Has solid time management and prioritization skills.
• Excellent communicator, both written and verbal– can be persuasive, a great listener, able to learn our products and articulate our value proposition.
• Competitive – great Business Development Specialists have a “work hard, play hard” mentality. They are tenacious and don’t give up easily while understanding the importance of having a team to win with.
• Glass half full attitude - we have a collaborative culture where being a great teammate is prized, in this role you will be faced with complex situations but view them as opportunities and take these types of challenges head on. Successful Business Development Specialists are open-minded and inquisitive.
• High emotional intelligence – the job requires an ability to read people and sales situations, to be quick on your feet, and to manage and channel emotions accordingly.
• Good head for numbers – financial literacy and an ability to do some mental math is a big plus.

Scope of Job: Performs work under moderate supervision and technical direction. Familiar with basic concepts, practices, and procedures. Works on assignments of low to moderate technical complexity. May be required to have full comprehension of systems to answer questions and train agents. Position may require day and overnight travel (10-25%) to visit producers, prospects or clients. Position prospects and solicits new producers or clients.. Uses communication skills to build and leverage excellent customer relationships and to provide opportunities for marketing products and services. Responsibilities of the role include: 

• Actively educates producers on National Interstate’s programs, including Traditional and Alternative  Risk products. Aides in the facilitation of the sale to prospects, as necessary. Strengthens existing relationships and identifies new potential producers by developing growth plans with agency force.   
• Identifies and prioritizes the most ideal prospects for National Interstate’s products and services, through various prospecting sources. Develops a robust prospect pipeline that results in new business. Supports underwriting in fact gathering, underwriting and pricing of renewals.
• Works collaboratively with management to develop, monitor and adapt a business / marketing plan for area of responsibility and to support divisional goals. Measures and reports on marketing KPIs.
• Maintains familiarity with competitors and market conditions. May be required to gather, analyze and maintain competitive information. Utilizes Salesforce to manage pipeline  and marketing efforts.
• Works with marketing department to develop collateral that aligns with brand and develops innovative ways to communicate to producers, prospects and clients.
• Attends appropriate industry and association events to increase involvement with strategic industry relationships. Develops strategy to strengthen presence in applicable trade associations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience.
Field of Study: Liberal Arts, Business or a related discipline
Experience: 6 months to 3 years of related experience. May require insurance licensure or FINRA Series 6 depending on product line.

Physical Requirements
• Requires prolonged, sitting and/or standing.
• May require frequent travel, including overnight travel.
• May require ability to operate and/or travel in a motor vehicle for long periods of time.
• May require travel by airplane.
• Requires frequent use of computer.
• May lift, carry, push, or pull objects up to 50 lbs.
• Requires regular and predictable attendance.