How to hire a commercial lines manager

How to hire a commercial lines manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step commercial lines manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a commercial lines manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new commercial lines manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a commercial lines manager, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a commercial lines manager to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a commercial lines manager that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of commercial lines manager salaries for various roles:

   Type of Commercial Lines Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Commercial Lines Manager	Insurance underwriters decide whether to provide insurance and under what terms. They evaluate insurance applications and determine coverage amounts and premiums.	$26-51
   Insurance Analyst	An insurance analyst provides analytical services to maintain an efficient workflow at insurance companies. They are typically in charge of evaluating insurance policies to identify possible risks for the policyholder and the company, validating client information, and reviewing insurance applications to ensure their accuracy... Show more	$16-42
   Underwriting Consultant	An underwriting consultant is a professional who provides underwriting guidelines to underwriters as well as coordinates revision of the underwriting manual. Underwriting consultants are required to handle complex cases and situations by using their strong knowledge of company services, product standards, and underwriting policies... Show more	$23-49

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Risk Management
   • Insurance Policies
   • Insurance Products
   • Insurance Carriers
   • Workers Compensation
   • Commercial Property
   • Account Management
   • Cross-Selling
   • General Liability
   • Loss Ratio
   • Performance Reviews
   • BOP
   • Management System
   • AMS

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Analyze and manage export-import logistics for select Chilean products import to Spain.
   • Develop and execute marketing plan to drive new business, including in-person visits, telemarketing and distribution of marketing materials.
   • Process personal lines renewals or remarket as necessary.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your commercial lines manager job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A commercial lines manager salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, commercial lines managers' average salary in south carolina is 39% less than in oregon.
   • Seniority. Entry-level commercial lines managers earn 48% less than senior-level commercial lines managers.
   • Certifications. A commercial lines manager with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a commercial lines manager's salary.

   Average commercial lines manager salary

   $77,562yearly

   $37.29 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level commercial lines manager salary

   $56,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

4. Writing a commercial lines manager job description

   A commercial lines manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a commercial lines manager job description:

   Commercial lines manager job description example

   ▪ Ensure monthly recaps are sent to agencies by 10th of each month utilizing correct template and format with Manager cc'd, as required by agency, and uploaded to SharePoint

   ▪ Confirm monthly expiration lists and/or current book of business are uploaded to

   SharePoint

   ▪ Check AMA frequently for each AM to ensure information is updated consistently to meet Servicing Standards

   ▪ Complete both monthly and quarterly compliance audits for all team members

   ▪ Coordinate with Client Consultants regarding workflows and utilization of team

   ▪ Take action to help correct staff shortcomings as needed, including disciplinary actions

   ▪ Ensure AM has proper licensing for states required by agency

   ▪ Interact with Agency Contact as needed (personnel concerns, changes, account specific

   questions, etc.)

   S upporting Responsibilities:

   ▪ Attend all Patra Select Manager meetings and check-in calls

   ▪ Attend Leadership Cohorts

   ▪ Complete Audit scorecards and Cumulative Audit scoresheet after each audit

   S upporting Responsibilities, continued:

   ▪ Update Bonus Metric worksheet each month for each AM, using data from renewal recap email, Retention Tracking app and Compliance audits

   ▪ Provide any comments and/or exceptions on Bonus Metric as needed

   ▪ Provide annual performance reviews for each AM by AM's work anniversary

   ▪ Complete Performance Improvement Plan and implement check-in calls with AM, as required

   ▪ Assist Client Consultants with new hire training, including agency management systems, remote desktop, and all Patra-owned systems and databases

   ▪ Act as a resource for Patra Select account managers regarding markets, coverages, and time management tools and resources

   ▪ Assist in implementing any new initiatives as directed by Management team

   ▪ Report any issues (performance, E&O or personal) to Senior Manager

   R e quired Skills:

   ▪ Ability to work well within all levels of the organization

   ▪ Possess a coaching and mentoring skillset vs. micro managerial approach

   ▪ Execute quick and sound decisions based on evidence provided

   ▪ Willingness to reach out to Senior Manager and Director with escalation issues

   ▪ Possess excellent oral and written communication skills

   ▪ Ability to remain calm under pressure in high-stress environment and project positive

   "can-do" attitude to team

   ▪ Proficiency to identify problems and provide resolution and resourcefulness as needed

   ▪ Aptitude for fostering positive relationships with people from all walks of life

   ▪ Act with initiative and determination with little to no supervision from Management

   ▪ Accomplish tasks assigned within given deadlines with conscientiousness and drive

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right commercial lines manager for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your commercial lines manager job on Zippia to find and recruit commercial lines manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit commercial lines managers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new commercial lines manager

   Once you have selected a candidate for the commercial lines manager position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new commercial lines manager. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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