At American Equity we offer leading annuity products that help empower our clients to fulfill their needs and wants in retirement. Our success comes from hiring high-energy individuals who embody the beliefs that drive our unique culture. We currently fund over half a million retirements nationwide, headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, for over thirty years with satellite offices in Charlotte, NC and New York, NY.
GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE JOB:
The Senior Operations Relationship Manager leads operational onboarding efforts with new and existing distribution partners including Banks, Broker Dealers and third-party marketing organizations. The incumbent also serves as the primary relationship manager and liaison on operations and new business matters between assigned banks, broker dealers, wholesalers, and Eagle Life internal resources and management.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Effectively manages and leads onboarding efforts with new Banks, Broker Dealers and IMO’s including but not limited to, assessing technology and operational needs, conducting planning meetings with new and existing partners as well as internal stakeholders.
- Serves as the primary operations contact and liaison between assigned banks, broker dealers, IMO’s, wholesalers, internal resources and management.
- Researches, resolves, tracks and reports on all system platform issues that affect our Eagle Life/AEL relationship with the assigned firms/IMO’s in a manner that is in-line with our service level standards.
- Researches and determines appropriate staff/management to engage for problem resolution and related project implementation.
- Determines reasonable solutions, presents recommendations and negotiates final decision with affected staff and management.
- Communicates agreed upon solutions to assigned firms/IMO’s within established timelines.
- Updates and maintains the database of all occurrences, parties involved and agreed upon resolution.
- Analyzes and determines effect of technology and operations initiatives of partners on AEL/Eagle systems and/or administrative processes and communicates to appropriate areas.
- Occasional travels to visit assigned firms/IMO’s, support off-site company meetings and attend industry meetings.
- Develops and maintains Firm/IMO operational Report Cards.
- Performs other related work as required.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None required for this position.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s degree in information technology, business administration or related field of study; plus five (5) years of similar operations and technology experience in the insurance industry; or equivalent combination of education and/or experience
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS: N/A
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite including Excel, PPT, Word and Onenote.
- Strong technology aptitude.
- Strong organizational skills with emphasis on prioritization of project lists
- Strong customer relationship, stakeholder management and servicing skills as well as internal corporate relationship management capabilities.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills including ability to work with individuals via phone to educate on processes.
- Ability to effectively present information to management as well as distribution partners.
- Mathematical skills and strong attention to systems and other detail.
- Ability to work cooperatively and successfully with employees, customers, and other outside third parties.
- Strong organizational and planning skills.
- Complex problem solving skills, including ability to deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; and collect data/information and provide accurate feedback/answers to the client on a timely basis.
- Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals and technical/operational procedures.
- Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
- Ability to successfully handle pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment.
____
This description covers the major purpose and essential functions of the job. It is not intended to give all details or a step-by-step account of the way each task is to be performed. Employees may receive other job related instructions and be required to perform other job related work requested by their manager. All requirements are subject to possible modification to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.
#LI-PL1
At American Equity, our core values—Empowered, Passion, Integrity, and Caring—are more than words. They guide how we support one another and how we serve our clients every day. To learn more about American Equity, our culture, and our values, visit the Careers site.
Iowa Best Companies to Work for 2025 | Top Workplaces
For more information about how your information is processed, please click on the Privacy tab at the bottom of the page and then click on the Applicant Privacy Policy.