[Hiring] Head of FI Partnerships @Security Benefit Business Services / Everly Life

Role Description

Builder's role targeting the financial institution sector: identify, prospect, and sign net-new distribution partners — banks, credit unions, broker-dealer networks, and financial institutions broadly — to distribute Everly's life and annuity solutions. Build the supporting team infrastructure and own the full partner onboarding lifecycle from deal close through first policy sale, with accountability for both partnership results and how those results are achieved.

What You’ll Do

• Partnership Development
  • Own the FI distribution partnership strategy end-to-end — from partner identification and prospecting through contract execution and long-term relationship management with banks, credit unions, broker dealers.
  • Build and manage robust partner pipeline from outreach through contract execution.
  • Develop and hold executive-level relationships across distribution, product, marketing, ops & tech at target FIs.
  • Represent Everly at industry events, positioning the company and channel strategy to grow brand presence and network.
• Team & Infrastructure Build-Out
  • Identify, define, and build out supporting roles and team structure (sales desk, outsourced insurance desk) as the business scales.
  • Establish clear roles, workflows, and performance standards as each new function is stood up.
  • Serve as a player-coach — directing a team responsible for partner relationship management and onboarding execution, with accountability for their output and development.
  • 2 direct reports, focused on relationship management and onboarding execution, with the team expected to grow as the channel scales.
• Onboarding & Partner Success
  • Oversee end-to-end onboarding experience; dedicated team member owns day-to-day process execution.
  • Ensure onboarding playbooks, training materials, and launch checklists are developed and continuously refined.
  • Partner and collaborate effectively across the Everly organization with product, marketing, underwriting, compliance & ops for partner.
  • Monitor early partner performance; proactively address activation obstacles.
  • Remain available to troubleshoot problems that arise during onboarding and activation post-launch.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Act as internal champion for distribution partners — surface needs, feedback, and market intelligence.
  • Partner with marketing on co-branded materials and enablement tools for the FI channel.
  • Work with product teams to develop and customize solutions for distributors — sharing insights and facilitating product development conversations.
  • Collaborate with underwriting and compliance on regulatory and product requirements.
  • Report regularly to senior leadership on pipeline health, milestones, and channel performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in business, finance, or related required; MBA strongly preferred.
• 12+ years in business development, distribution, or partnerships in life/annuity, including experience owning a channel or book of business.
• Demonstrated success signing & activating FI distribution partners.
• Experience building or managing sales support teams or insurance desks.
• Strong existing FI network: exec, product, distribution, marketing & ops.
• Deep knowledge of life & annuity; indexed products and living benefits preferred.
• Exceptional relationship-building and negotiation — C-suite through ops.
• Entrepreneurial mindset; resilience; collaborative cross-functional partner.

Benefits

• Employees are eligible for an annual incentive bonus designed to reward for performance.
• The salary range for this job in most geographic locations in the US is $212,000 - $291,000.
• Flexible paid time off for PTO, plus paid holidays, days of Significance, and a Volunteer Day.
• Paid parental leave eligible after 3 months of service.
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance.
• 401k with company match.
• Profit Sharing & Savings Plan.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Flexible spending account.
• Life insurance.
• Educational Assistance.
• Associate Assistance Programs and more!