Territory Sales Manager - Northern Illinois

Who are we?

Western National Insurance Group is a private mutual insurance company with over 120 years of experience serving customers' property-and-casualty insurance needs in the Midwestern, Northwestern, and Southwestern United States. Known as “The Relationship Company®,” we define success as a measure of the relationships we’ve built over time. In everything that we do, we know that delivering a friendly and helpful interaction makes for a better experience for everyone involved. That’s the power of “nice”. At Western National, nice is something we work to bring to every person and organization with whom we partner and serve.

Does this opportunity interest you?

Western National is seeking a Territory Sales Manager to join our Agency Sales Team in one of our Wisconsin and Northern Illinois territories!

The individual in this role will have the opportunity to build and grow an assigned territory by developing trusted relationships with independent insurance agencies. This position partners with agency principals, producers, and staff to identify growth opportunities, strengthen long-term partnerships, and drive profitable business while representing a company known as The Relationship Company®.

Territory Sales Managers at Western National have the autonomy to manage their territory with the support of experienced underwriting and sales teams, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Individuals who enjoy building relationships, thinking strategically about business growth, and helping agency partners succeed will find a rewarding career with Western National.

If you enjoy building relationships, thinking strategically about business growth, and helping others succeed, we'd love to talk with you.

What are the responsibilities and opportunities of this role? Build Relationships & Grow Your Territory

• Build trusted relationships with agency principals, producers, and staff to become their preferred carrier partner.
• Identify opportunities to grow profitable business by understanding each agency's goals, strengths, and market opportunities.
• Prospect and recruit new agency partners that align with Western National's long-term growth strategy.
• Develop business plans with agencies that drive sustainable, profitable growth.

Own Your Territory

• Manage your territory like a business by analyzing production, profitability, and market trends to prioritize opportunities.
• Conduct regular agency visits, providing coaching, training, and strategic business planning.
• Identify agencies needing additional support and develop improvement plans that strengthen long-term partnerships.
• Recommend changes to agency partnerships when business performance or strategic alignment warrants.

Be a Trusted Business Partner

• Collaborate with underwriting, claims, marketing, and other departments to deliver exceptional agency experiences.
• Help agencies navigate underwriting, service, and claims questions while advocating for solutions that support mutual success.
• Facilitate product, technology, and sales training that helps agencies better serve customers and grow their business.

Improve the Business

• Share marketplace insights, competitive intelligence, and agency feedback to improve products, processes, and customer experience.
• Participate in projects that strengthen Western National's sales strategies and agency partnerships.
• Continuously look for better ways to serve agencies and improve business results.

Travel Requirement

• This is a field-based position that requires regular travel throughout an assigned territory to meet with independent agency partners, with occasional overnight travel (approximately 15–25%) as business needs require.

Must-Have Qualifications

Successful candidates are relationship builders who enjoy working independently, thinking strategically, and helping agencies grow their business while balancing profitable underwriting results.

• 2+ years of property-and-casualty insurance company sales, underwriting, loss control, agency operations, or other agency-facing insurance experience that demonstrates relationship-building, business development, and territory management capabilities.
• Valid and unrestricted driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with individuals at all levels of an organization.
• Ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines, manage multiple responsibilities, and work independently.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor, demonstrate integrity, and show respect in all customer interactions.
• Proficient use of core systems, office and computer equipment, and software packages.
• Proficient understanding of insurance regulations, compliance requirements, and risk management concepts.
• Ability to explain insurance terms, policies, and procedures clearly to agency partners and actively listen to customer needs and concerns.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related field; equivalent experience in lieu of a degree is acceptable.

What will our ideal candidate have?

• CIC or CPCU designation, or a record of successful completion of insurance-related continuing education courses.
• Deep knowledge of property-and-casualty insurance products and services, including coverage options, exclusions, and benefits.
• Demonstrated ability to lead or co-lead project groups and contribute new ideas that improve coverage, policies, procedures, or customer outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to share knowledge and provide informal leadership to others.

What Success Looks Like

After your first year, successful Territory Sales Managers are:

• Viewed as trusted advisors by their agency partners.
• Building strong relationships across their assigned territory.
• Identifying and developing profitable growth opportunities.
• Collaborating effectively with underwriting and internal business partners.
• Managing their territory proactively through thoughtful planning, consistent follow-up, and disciplined execution.
• Representing Western National's values by delivering an exceptional agency experience.

Compensation overview

The targeted hiring range for this role is $88,400–$130,400, annually. However, the base pay offered may vary depending on the job-related knowledge, skills, credentials, and experience of each candidate, as well as other factors such as the scope and location of the role. Candidates looking for compensation outside of the posted range are encouraged to apply and will be considered based on their individual qualifications and/or may be considered for other positions.

Western National Insurance Group reserves the right to fill this position at a level above or below the level included in this posting.

Culture and Total Rewards

Western National has long been known as “The Relationship Company®” and caring for our employees is part of that relationship commitment. We value connectiveness, empowerment, and accountability, and we believe that our employees are our biggest asset.

Currently ranked as the 41st largest private company by revenue in Minnesota (Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal), Western National has earned accolades year-over-year as an employer of choice and garnered multiple awards for wellness in the workplace. Western National has also been named a Top Workplace by the Star Tribune for consecutive years. In addition, the Group is consistently recognized as a Ward’s 50 property-and-casualty insurance company for its outstanding financial results.

Western National offers full-time employees a significant Total Rewards Package, including:

• Medical insurance plan options and other standard employee benefits, including dental insurance, vision benefits, life insurance, disability insurance, and more!
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) Plan (participants are eligible for 100% matching on the first 6% of their contributions)
• Wellbeing Program, including onsite fitness studio
• Paid Time Off – including holiday, vacation, and volunteer
• 100% company-paid tuition reimbursement for approved job-relevant coursework and access to The Institutes (Risk and insurance education)
• Paid parental leave
• Bonus opportunities

Western National believes in supporting balance between work and life by providing a flexible work environment, which includes a variety of hybrid and remote work arrangements designed to balance individual, job, department, and company needs.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Western National provides employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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