Director/VP of Business Development

Role Overview

Leopard is seeking a Director/VP of Business Development – Carrier Partnerships to drive growth through strategic relationships with life insurance and annuity carriers. This hands-on, high-visibility role sits at the center of Leopard’s expansion strategy, responsible for identifying, securing, and managing carrier partnerships that unlock data connectivity, expand distribution capabilities, and deepen integration across the life and annuities ecosystem. Success in this role will be measured by new carrier partnerships, integration progress, and commercial traction within the first 6–12 months.

Leopard is an early-stage insurtech business owned by Coventry, offering startup velocity backed by the resources and reach of a market leader.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop Leopard’s carrier partnership strategy, including identifying and prioritizing target carriers based on integration potential, data readiness, and strategic alignment
• Lead partnership discussions and negotiations with carrier executives across business, distribution, and technology functions to drive long-term mutual value and data-sharing collaboration
• Expand relationships to support needs throughout Coventry, Leopard's parent company
• Collaborate with product and engineering to define and execute API and data integrations that enhance Leopard’s capabilities
• Translate carrier needs into actionable product opportunities and feedback loops for the internal team
• Serve as the primary relationship owner for carrier partners, ensuring ongoing alignment and measurable success
• Represent Leopard externally at conferences and industry events to strengthen visibility and engagement
• Build scalable processes and playbooks for outreach, relationship management, and integration delivery
  

First 90–120 Days: What Success Looks Like

By Day 30

• Develop a strong understanding of Leopard’s platform, value proposition, and technology roadmap
• Map the carrier ecosystem, including key executives, integration capabilities, and partnership history
• Create an initial prioritized target list of carrier opportunities and begin outreach through existing relationships

By Day 90

• Advance 3–5 new carrier relationships into active partnership discussions
• Collaborate with product and engineering leadership to define integration frameworks for top-priority carriers
• Present a clear partnership pipeline and execution plan to the CEO and leadership team

By Day 120

• Execute at least one signed carrier partnership agreement, with others in advanced negotiation
• Oversee the start of the first carrier data or API integration
• Establish a repeatable partnership playbook for outreach, negotiation, and integration processes

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in business development, partnerships, or distribution
• Deep, established relationships with U.S. life and annuity carriers strongly preferred, including both business and technology leaders (exceptional BD candidates without direct experience in insurance will be considered)
• Demonstrated success in structuring and executing partnerships involving data sharing or digital integrations
• Familiarity with carrier systems, data flows, and platforms preferred (e.g., illustration, new business, or policy administration systems) 
• Ability to navigate complex organizations and drive initiatives forward with limited structure
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and executive relationship skills
• Entrepreneurial mindset with comfort operating in a fast-moving, high-growth environment

Salary and Benefits

The base salary for this role ranges from $160,000 - $220,000, depending on experience and seniority, along with a generous bonus program. The base salary range represents the anticipated low and high end of the salary range for this position. Actual salaries may vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors, including but not limited to work location, experience, and expected performance. The range listed is just one component of Leopard’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include equity awards and other long and short-term incentives. In addition, Leopard provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, a 401K program, paid holidays, and encouraged paid time off (PTO).

About Leopard

Leopard is an early-stage insurance technology startup looking to revolutionize the life insurance and annuity markets. We’ve developed technology that makes it easy for insurance brokers and financial advisors to find best-fit coverage for their clients on an ongoing basis, but that’s just the start. Our mission is to build a data business that fundamentally changes the way life and annuities products are sold. Leopard was incubated by The D.E. Shaw Group, and is now a part of Coventry, the industry leader in life insurance settlements. Founded in 2023, Leopard is headquartered in New York, New York. For more information about Leopard, visit www.theleopard.com.