Business Development and Distribution Manager

Business Development & Distribution Manager

Cedar Insurance Company | White Plains, NY (East Coast, remote with travel considered) | Full-Time

About Cedar

Cedar Insurance Company is a specialty workers' compensation carrier focused on healthcare and senior living risks. We are admitted in 18 states with 50-state capability, and we combine disciplined underwriting with differentiated loss control to deliver a focused, responsive market for our agents and brokers. Cedar is in growth mode, and this role is central to that growth.

The Role

We are hiring a Business Development & Distribution Manager to build and manage our independent agent and broker network. You will report to the Head of Underwriting & Operations, keeping distribution and underwriting aligned around a single objective: profitable premium growth.

This is a builder's role for someone with existing broker relationships who can activate them quickly. The expectation is near-term production, not a long build cycle: meaningful submission flow within your first 60 to 90 days and a core group of producing agents within six months.

What You Will Do

Business Development & Broker Management

• Leverage your existing network of independent agents, wholesalers, and brokers to generate immediate submission activity
• Identify, recruit, and onboard new agent relationships aligned with Cedar's underwriting appetite
• Drive submission flow and manage opportunities from initial engagement through binding
• Maintain active engagement with producing agents through regular communication and in-person meetings
• Coordinate marketing initiatives, producer education, lunch-and-learns, and webinars, educating agencies on Cedar's products, market placement, and positioning
• Develop strategic marketing plans that consider agency strengths, competitor positioning, and market conditions in our target states
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and threats
• Represent Cedar at industry events, broker offices, and association meetings
• Know Cedar's appetite thoroughly, communicate it clearly to agents, and triage incoming accounts so out-of-appetite submissions are declined before they reach underwriting
• Serve as the primary liaison between brokers and underwriting, helping refine appetite and broker strategy

Production & Submission Reporting

• Track and report submission flow, quote activity, and bound premium by broker, segment, and state
• Maintain disciplined pipeline records in CRM, including business development activity and broker meetings
• Produce a monthly production and distribution report for senior leadership
• Use broker performance data to actively manage the network: concentrate time on productive agents, address under performance, and discontinue relationships that generate activity without quality submissions

What We Are Looking For

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in workers' compensation or commercial P&C distribution or business development, with 7+ years preferred
• Currently in a role such as Territory Manager, Distribution Manager, Business Development Manager, or Senior Broker
• A demonstrated track record of generating submissions and driving premium through broker relationships
• An established network of independent agents, wholesalers, and retail brokers that produces quality business, not just submission volume
• Strong understanding of workers' compensation products, structures, and underwriting dynamics
• Comfort operating within a disciplined, defined appetite where profitability takes priority over production volume
• Strong analytical skills, CRM discipline, and the ability to use data to inform decisions
• Working knowledge of applicable insurance laws and regulations
• Ability to operate independently while coordinating closely with underwriting and leadership

Education

• Bachelor's degree preferred, ideally in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field
• Industry designations or progress toward them (CPCU, ARM, CIC, AU, INS) are a plus but not required

Location & Travel

• Position is located on the East Coast of the US, based in or within reach of Cedar's admitted states
• Expected travel of 30%, including day and overnight travel for broker meetings, agency visits, and industry events

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary $90k to $150k commensurate with experience
• Commission/performance-based bonus tied directly to bound premium and growth targets
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid Time Off and paid holidays
• 401(k) plan with company match

Compensation varies by skills, experience, and business needs.

Why Cedar

Small carrier, real ownership. You will build Cedar's distribution network, drive meaningful premium growth, and grow with the company as distribution scales. You will work directly with senior leadership, your results will be visible, and the appetite you help shape will be one you helped define.