Job Description / Overview
ShelterPoint, a Protective company, is seeking a Director, Strategic Partnerships to play a central role in shaping and executing the long-term partnership strategy for the Employee Benefits division.
Reporting directly to the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, this role is responsible for developing partnership strategy, building enterprise relationships, and launching strategic initiatives that expand ShelterPoint’s national distribution footprint and generate measurable premium growth.
The Director will focus on identifying, structuring, and scaling high-impact partnerships across the employee benefits ecosystem, including national brokerages, general agents, benefits technology platforms, payroll providers, rating and quoting platforms, and carrier partners.
This position requires a strategic leader capable of designing partnership frameworks, leading market-facing initiatives, and translating strategic alliances into scalable distribution channels. The role will work closely with Sales, Product, Technology, Marketing, and Underwriting leadership to ensure partnerships are aligned with ShelterPoint’s long-term growth objectives.
***This role will be titled Sr Associate Sales Support within the organization.***
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute a comprehensive strategic partnership roadmap designed to expand ShelterPoint’s national distribution footprint.
- Identify emerging distribution models, technology platforms, and market opportunities that support long-term growth.
- Design partnership frameworks that convert strategic relationships into sustainable premium-producing distribution channels.
- Establish executive-level relationships with leaders across broker organizations, technology platforms, general agents, and carrier partners.
- Lead strategic initiatives that position ShelterPoint within the evolving digital benefits and employee benefits ecosystem.
- Develop structured partnership strategies including joint business plans, distribution commitments, and growth objectives.
- Serve as an internal thought leader on evolving distribution models, technology-enabled benefits ecosystems, and partnership opportunities.
- Establish performance frameworks to measure partnership success, including revenue generation, market penetration, and distribution growth.
- Partner with internal leadership teams to ensure partnership initiatives align with corporate strategy and sales priorities.
- Monitor partner performance and identify opportunities to expand relationships and drive incremental revenue.
Strategic Partnership Development Responsibilities
- Conduct ongoing strategic market analysis across the employee benefits distribution ecosystem to identify high-value partnership opportunities.
- Design partnership strategies that expand access to broker networks, employer markets, and technology-enabled enrollment channels.
- Structure enterprise-level partnership agreements that align with ShelterPoint’s growth strategy and long-term market positioning.
- Lead cross-functional collaboration to ensure operational readiness for new distribution channels.
- Build scalable frameworks for partner onboarding, enablement, and relationship management.
- Launch strategic initiatives that position ShelterPoint as a preferred partner within the employee benefits ecosystem.
- Continuously evaluate partnership performance and identify opportunities to expand the scope and scale of existing relationships.
General Agent (GA) Partnerships
- Develop strategic relationships with national and regional General Agents (GAs) and wholesale distribution organizations that influence broker distribution.
- Design structured GA partnership frameworks that align distribution commitments, compensation models, and growth objectives.
- Identify high-performing GAs capable of expanding ShelterPoint’s reach across broker networks and regional markets.
- Work closely with sales leadership to align GA partnerships with field distribution priorities and broker engagement strategies.
- Lead the development of strategic initiatives that position ShelterPoint as a preferred carrier within GA distribution platforms.
Revenue Impact:
General Agent partnerships will significantly expand ShelterPoint’s access to broker networks by leveraging established wholesale distribution channels. By aligning with high-producing GAs that control large broker populations, the Director will enable ShelterPoint to access new employer opportunities and accelerate premium growth across key markets. These partnerships will drive substantial incremental premium production by increasing broker access, improving product visibility, and strengthening ShelterPoint’s presence within GA-led distribution ecosystems.
Cross-Functional Leadership Responsibilities
- Collaborate with Sales Leadership to align partnership strategies with national distribution priorities.
- Partner with Product teams to ensure partnership opportunities align with product innovation and market demand.
- Work closely with Technology teams to support integration initiatives with benefits platforms and digital partners.
- Coordinate with Marketing to develop joint campaigns, partner enablement materials, and market awareness initiatives.
- Engage with Underwriting and Operations teams to ensure operational readiness for new distribution channels.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in business, Finance, Marketing, or a related field.
- 8–12 years of experience in employee benefits, group insurance, strategic partnerships, or distribution strategy.
- Proven experience developing and executing strategic partnerships within the employee benefits or insurance industry.
- Strong understanding of broker distribution models, general agent networks, and benefits technology platforms.
- Demonstrated success structuring partnership agreements and driving measurable business outcomes.
- Experience working cross-functionally with sales, product, and technology teams.
- Exceptional relationship management, negotiation, and executive communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with benefits administration platforms, HRIS systems, payroll providers, or rating and quoting platforms.
- Knowledge of group disability insurance, paid family and medical leave, or supplemental insurance products.
- Experience supporting technology-enabled benefits distribution models.
- Established relationships within national broker organizations or general agent networks.
- MBA or advanced business degree.
- Strategic partnership strategy and development
- Distribution ecosystem expansion
- Executive relationship management
- Business development and market expansion
- Negotiation and partnership structuring
- Cross-functional leadership
- Market intelligence and strategic planning
- Technology-enabled distribution strategy
- Go-to-market strategy development
Skills & Competencies
About Protective/ShelterPoint
Protective Life Corporation, a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc., has helped people achieve protection and security in their lives for more than a century. Through its principal businesses—life insurance, asset protection, and employee benefits Protective serves millions of customers across the United States.
ShelterPoint, a Protective company, is a leader in employee benefits solutions, specializing in disability insurance, paid family and medical leave programs, and supplemental insurance products. ShelterPoint partners with brokers, general agents, and technology providers to deliver innovative solutions that help employers support their workforce while navigating evolving regulatory environments.
Together, Protective and ShelterPoint are committed to delivering customer-focused solutions, building strong partnerships, and creating long-term value for clients, partners, and communities.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in business, Finance, Marketing, or a related field
- 8-12 years of experience in employee benefits, group insurance, strategic partnerships, or distribution strategy
- Proven experience developing and executing strategic partnerships in the employee benefits or insurance industry
- Strong understanding of broker distribution models and benefits technology platforms
- Demonstrated success structuring partnership agreements and driving measurable business outcomes
- Experience working cross-functionally with sales, product, and technology teams
- Exceptional relationship management, negotiation, and executive communication skills
- MBA or advanced business degree
- Experience working with benefits administration platforms
- Established relationships within national broker organizations or general agent networks
Protective Life Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Protective Life and has not been reviewed or approved by Protective Life.
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Retirement Support — A pension plan alongside a 401(k) with employer match is repeatedly highlighted and considered a standout feature. Feedback suggests these offerings provide strong long‑term financial security.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage are complemented by HSA/FSA options with company contributions and wellness incentives. Feedback suggests the breadth of health benefits is comprehensive.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off and holidays are frequently cited as positives, with parental leave and adoption assistance available. Feedback suggests time‑off policies support work‑life balance.
Protective Life Insights
What We Do
Protective Life Corporation (Protective) provides financial services through the production, distribution and administration of insurance and investment products throughout the United States. Protective traces its roots to its flagship company founded in 1907, Protective Life Insurance Company. Throughout its more than 110-year history, Protective’s growth and success can be largely attributed to its ongoing commitment to serving people and doing the right thing — for its employees, distributors and, most importantly, its customers. Protective’s home office is located in Birmingham, Alabama, and its 3,000+ employees work across the United States. As of June 30, 2020, Protective had assets of approximately $123 billion. Protective Life Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings,
