Account Specialist

Are you passionate about working with people and delivering efficient results; so are we! We value Account Specialists who can embody this passion by providing dedicated support to our customers. We want you to be a primary point of contact for customers and our sales producers for defined territories. You’ll understand Sentry’s desire to write high-quality, profitable risks and be well-versed in commercial insurance. You could be the next key player to support and contribute to the success of our team!

This position will report to our Edwardsville, IL office.

What You’ll Do:

As an Account Specialist with Sentry, you’ll serve as a relationship builder to connect with customers and account managers or agents to develop positive relationships. You’ll be responsible for the overall service experience and retention of business within assigned accounts or regions.  In addition, you’ll: 

• Serve as primary point of contact and resource for designated producer(s), customers, and/or agents within the territory.  Act as a relationship builder by using a combination of soft skills to connect with producers, customers, agents, and team to form positive relationships. Assist sales producer or agent in maximizing his/her selling time by servicing existing book, assisting with cross-selling activities to meet account completion goals, or working with placement agency (Parker Stevens Agency or Hortica Brokerage) to insure risks that are unacceptable to Sentry. Provide significant business impact through identifying opportunities, making detailed decisions, and understanding risks and consequences of business decisions.

• Serve as primary point of contact and owner of all service related items, such as incoming customer calls, emails, and faxes regarding service needs, changes, questions, and problems. Proactively monitor service needs and other requests to ensure completion, including quotes, renewals, policy changes, urgent recommendations, billing, audit, and other service items.  Provide necessary service and refers to sales producer(s) or agents when necessary. Be knowledgeable of, and keep current on, procedures and policies, as well as appropriate state requirements. Work independently with excellent time management, organization, quality decision making, and communication.

• Independently manage small commercial books of business based on defined scope within the assigned territories. You’ll be primarily responsible for overall experience and retention of this book of business, along with pursuing additional sale opportunities. Creates new and renewal applications to these smaller businesses.

• Responsible for maintaining product and procedural knowledge of commercial lines. Effectively review and explain coverages to customers. Understand Sentry’s appetite for risk and is well- versed in commercial insurance, Sentry product offerings, and excess markets available to us. Responsible for understanding quality of risks and applying sound underwriting principles within defined authority.

• Act as a relationship builder and liaison between sales producer, underwriting, other internal departments, and/or customers or agents in gathering of underwriting requirements and customer documents/signatures. Monitor status of outstanding quotes, renewals, and policy changes. Take ownership of the service team and overall service experience of the territories supported. Answer inquiries promptly and maintains frequent contact with customers, agents and/or producers.

What it Takes:

• Associate Degree or equivalent work experience.

• 2+ years of related work experience.

• Property & Casualty License required; if not currently licensed, must obtain within 120 days of hire

• Prior Commercial Lines insurance experience desired with knowledge of Commercial Lines products and/or underwriting guidelines

• Ability to interpret and apply commercial insurance concepts and underwriting guidelines for majority of positions

• Ability to travel on a limited basis to attend team meetings and/or to meet prospects or current customers

• Strong PC skills and ability to quickly learn a variety of software applications

• Composure, strong customer service skills and ability to build and maintain relationships is key

• Presentation and selling skills are required

• Ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced work environment and work independently with little direction.

What You’ll Receive:

At Sentry, your total rewards go beyond competitive compensation. Below are some benefits and perks that you’ll receive.

• Sentry is happy to offer flexibility through a scheduled Hybrid work model. Monday and Friday work from home if you choose to, Tuesday through Thursday in office. As a Sentry associate, you will have an in-office workspace and materials for your home office. In addition to the laptop, you will receive prior to your start, Sentry will provide equipment for your home office. 

• Meal Subsidy for associates who report to an office.

• 401(K) plan with a dollar for dollar match on your first eight percent, plus immediate vesting to help strengthen your financial future.

• Continue your education and career development through Sentry University (SentryU) and utilize our Tuition Reimbursement program

• Generous Paid-Time Off plan for you to enjoy time out of the office as well as Volunteer-Time off

• Group Medical, Dental, Vision, Life insurance, Parental leave, and our Health and Wellness benefits to encourage a healthy lifestyle.

• Well-being and Employee Assistance programs

• Sentry Foundation gift matching program to encourage charitable giving.

About Sentry:

We take great pride in making Forbes’ list of America’s Best Midsize Employers. A lot of different factors go into that honor, many of which contribute to your job satisfaction.

Our bright future is built on a long track record of success. We got our start in 1904 and have been helping businesses succeed and protect their futures ever since. Because of the trust placed in us, we’re one of the largest and financially strongest mutual insurance companies in the United States. We’re rated A+ by A.M. Best, the industry’s leading rating authority.

Our headquarters is in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, with offices located throughout the United States. From sales to claims, and information technology to marketing, we enjoy a rewarding and challenging work environment with opportunities for ongoing professional development and growth.

Get ready to own your future at Sentry. Opportunities await!

Amelia Sacco

[email protected] 

Equal Employment Opportunity

Sentry is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy that there be no discrimination in employment based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, or sexual orientation.