Director, Operations - Crop Insurance

Director, Operations - Crop Insurance

AgWest Farm Credit is a member-owned financial cooperative that provides financing and related services to farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, commercial fishermen, timber producers, rural homeowners and crop insurance customers in a seven-state territory in the Western United States. AgWest is part of the 100+ year-old Farm Credit System – the leading provider of credit to American agriculture.

AgWest champions the growth and advancement of agriculture, the value of rural communities, and the vital contribution our customers make to the economy and society. We serve customers in 59 locations throughout the West.

We are in search of a Director, Operations to join our Washington Lending and Insurance department in Spokane, Washington. This full-time position reports to the SVP, Operations and is accountable for effectively managing assigned Insurance Specialist staff; communicating insurance service actions, required reporting, and processing procedures to insurance specialist staff; researching changes within insurance policies, and preparing accurate crop insurance renewal forms.

Compensation Information

The base salary range for this position in Spokane, Washington is:

Typical starting range: $66,200 - $88,700 Full base salary range: $66,200 - $125,200 Annual performance-based incentive target is 12 or 15% of base salary, depending on experience.

* Relocation assistance will be provided to eligible candidates who must relocate to accept this position.

Essential Duties

• Organize insurance specialist staff workflow and determine priorities to ensure effective and quality customer service is provided.
• Manage insurance specialist staff's work including the processing of MPCI and Hail business into the appropriate computer systems, preparation and mailing of renewal forms, and tracking of process.
• Review MPCI and Hail provisions for changes; coordinate with insurance agent and marketing staff to prepare accurate and informative renewal and marketing materials.
• Comply with appropriate regulations and procedures in completion of applications, forms, documents and reports.
• Support a high degree of data integrity by maintaining accurate databases.
• Maintain industry knowledge through ongoing crop insurance educational training/seminars.
• Assist in conducting organizational review program requirements and establishing other appropriate monitoring systems to accurately inform management of activities and results.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Human Resource Leadership:
• Provide proactive human resource leadership to promote high levels of employee engagement, customer service, teamwork and productivity.
• Ensure performance management actions are consistent across area of responsibility and aligned with association expectations.
• Promote talent management and succession planning to ensure adequate and effective staffing through employee transitions.
• Communicate and model AgWest's commitment to employee and customer engagement; actively work with assigned staff to advance stewardship and community service initiatives.
• Perform all duties and maintains all standards in accordance with association policies, procedures, and internal controls, and ensure assigned staff follow association policies, procedures and internal controls.
• Represent and communicate the values, purpose, and mission of the association to employees, customers, the public, and other target audiences.

Travel Requirements

• Willingness and ability to travel up to 40%, including overnight travel throughout the AgWest territory.
• AgWest employees may occasionally be asked to travel for all-staff or team meetings not included in the standard travel requirements for the role.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business or ag-related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience
• A combination of at least four years' administrative, insurance, and/or management experience
• Effective administrative and customer service skills
• Proven ability to lead by example as an individual contributor or manager
• Ability to effectively identify, hire, and develop strong talent, and maintain a high performing team
• Advanced understanding of agriculture and insurance services
• Appropriate State Insurance Agent license(s), or the ability to obtain and maintain required license(s) within six months of assuming the role

Preferred Qualifications

• General understanding of insurance related laws and regulations

Workplace Flexibility

• After an initial in-office training period, this position is eligible for workplace flexibility and a one-time home office stipend.

Benefits Offered by Ag West

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Basic term life and AD&D insurance (fully paid for by the company)
• Paid days off annually: 15 vacation*, 15 sick, 12 holidays and 3 volunteer
• 401(k) plan (6% match plus 3% employer contribution)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
• Jeans are welcome at work every day at AgWest!

* Vacation accrual rates increase with tenure.