Channel Growth and Strategy Director

About Auris

Auris is the payroll and HR partner built for small and medium-sized businesses who can’t afford to get it wrong. Trusted by over 50,000 businesses nationwide, Auris pairs easy-to-use technology with real human services to give leaders the confidence that every detail is done right - so they can focus on growing their team and their business. Acquired by Acrisure in 2025, Auris formerly Heartland Payroll is accelerating its vision to deliver seamless human-centered technology to help small businesses thrive.

Summary of This Role

The Director, Channel Growth & Strategy is responsible for executing the growth strategy and operating model for Auris' insurance-distribution channels, including Acrisure and Wholesure. This role drives channel expansion, partner engagement, operational excellence, and long-term revenue growth.

This is a highly visible player-coach role that combines strategic planning with hands-on execution. The individual will work closely with channel leaders, partner organizations, and cross-functional teams to scale existing programs, launch new partnership initiatives, and build the infrastructure needed to support sustainable growth. Approximately one-quarter of the role focuses on partnership operations to ensure a strong foundation as the channels continue to expand.

What You’ll Do 

Growth Strategy and Business Planning

• Partner with Vice President to build and execute multi-year channel business plan and investment strategy across Acrisure and Wholesure.

• Support the Vice President in establishing growth targets for margin, customer acquisition, active referrers, and partner engagement and track performance against them.

• Identify and prioritize investment opportunities across offices, divisions, general agency partners, and product lines.

• Scale the Acrisure channel by increasing participation, referrals, and office penetration.

• Lead the launch and expansion of the Wholesure channel and establish repeatable partner success models.

• Develop target account strategies and growth plans for agency and partner segmentation.

Partner and Stakeholder Leadership

• Serve as the senior Auris representative with Acrisure and Wholesure operational and field leadership teams.

• Build strong relationships across Revenue Operations, Employee Benefits, Commercial Lines, Marketing, Finance, Legal, Compliance, and Product teams.

• Collaborate on partner compensation, reciprocity programs, attribution models, and operational alignment.

• Represent Auris at partner meetings, industry events, leadership summits, and strategic reviews.

• Foster a seamless client experience between Auris and partner organizations.

Partnership Operations & Team Leadership

• Oversee referral workflows, attribution processes, payout administration, CRM management, reporting, and business reviews.

• Monitor partnership health metrics and implement process improvements, leveraging technology, automation, and process enhancements.

• Coordinate efforts among Sales Operations, Revenue Operations, Marketing, Product, Finance, and Legal teams.

• Maintain accurate dashboards, scorecards, reporting tools, training materials, and partner programs.

 Business Performance and Senior Leadership Reporting

• Provide clear and actionable business performance updates to senior leadership.

• Communicate results, opportunities, risks, and recommended actions.

• Partner with the VP to build channel ROI narrative and funding justification for growth investments.

• Support senior leadership decision-making through data-driven insights and analysis.

What Are We Looking for in this Role?

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university.

• 8+ years of experience in channel management, partnerships, business development, sales operations, or related fields.

• Demonstrated success growing indirect, referral-based, or partner-driven revenue channels.

• Experience designing, building, or scaling partner programs.

• Strong operational, process management, CRM, and reporting expertise.

• Proficiency with HubSpot, Salesforce, or similar CRM platforms.

• Strong executive presence, communication, and business case development skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders across functions without direct authority.

• Experience leading and developing teams, with the ability to balance long-term strategy with day-to-day execution.

• Strategic thinker who translates vision into actionable plans and thrives in fast-paced, evolving business environments.

• Willingness and ability to travel as needed for partner meetings, agency visits, training, industry events, and channel activation activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in payroll, HCM, benefits administration, insurance, or related industries.

• Experience working with brokers, agencies, general agencies, or wholesale distribution channels.

• Experience launching and scaling new partnership channels.

• Knowledge of partner compensation structures, attribution models, and channel economics.

• Experience supporting organizations during growth, integration, or transformation initiatives

What we offer

• Competitive compensation and performance incentives.

• Comprehensive benefits package.

• Collaborative, mission-driven culture with high visibility and impact.

#Auris

Candidates should be comfortable with an on-site presence to support collaboration, team leadership, and cross-functional partnership.

Why Join Us:

At Acrisure, we’re building more than a business, we’re building a community where people can grow, thrive, and make an impact. Our benefits are designed to support every dimension of your life, from your health and finances to your family and future.

Making a lasting impact on the communities it serves, Acrisure has pledged more than $22 million through its partnerships with Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Blythedale Children's Hospital in Valhalla, New York.

Employee Benefits

We also offer our employees a comprehensive suite of benefits and perks, including:

• Physical Wellness: Comprehensive medical insurance, dental insurance, and vision insurance; life and disability insurance; fertility benefits; wellness resources; and paid sick time.

• Mental Wellness: Generous paid time off and holidays; Employee Assistance Program (EAP); and a complimentary Calm app subscription.

• Financial Wellness: Immediate vesting in a 401(k) plan; Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options; commuter benefits; and employee discount programs.

• Family Care: Paid maternity leave and paid paternity leave (including for adoptive parents); legal plan options; and pet insurance coverage.

• … and so much more!

This list is not exhaustive of all available benefits. Eligibility and waiting periods may apply to certain offerings. Benefits may vary based on subsidiary entity and geographic location.

Final candidates will be required to complete post-offer verification processes related to the role and in accordance with applicable laws.

California Residents: Learn more about our privacy practices for applicants by visiting the Acrisure California Applicant Privacy Policy.

Recruitment Fraud: Please visit here to learn more about our Recruitment Fraud Notice.

Welcome, your new opportunity awaits you.