Head of North America and Retro, Facultative GB

Head of North America and Retro team leader position within the Direct & Facultative GB business unit, reporting to the Head of Facultative GB. Responsibility for running the NA & Retro team, placing, retention and servicing of existing cedants as well as the development and successful conversion of new business. The NA & Retro team within Facultative GB acts as a London Desk to service all WTW territories, focussed on Property.

The Role:

• Set team growth strategy for the NA & Retro team within GB; spearhead new business opportunities as required and manage the team budget.
• Attract top-tier broking talent including senior producing hires as well as develop existing talent within the team.
• Understand the cedants’ business and needs and determine appropriate solutions, structure, price and placement strategies that meet the cedants’ needs and wishes.
• Establish and maintain active relationships with our cedants, regional Facultative teams around the world and reinsurers.
• Work closely with US regional offices
• Liaise with cedants and build strong relationships.
• Grow existing portfolio by identifying new-new, and/or new from existing opportunities.
• Provide technical, industry and subject matter expertise where required.
• Draw on expertise within the team and across the Group for clients as required.
• Understand, apply and where necessary explain the BU policies and procedures.
• Work collaboratively and transparently with colleagues withing GB and across the group

Business Development

• Responsibility for supporting the drive of the sales process and business area practice activity in relation to winning, retaining and developing profitable new clients.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of prospects including research, initiation of contact, meetings, responding to RFPs, new business presentations, accurately maintaining CRM database in order to create and convert sales opportunities.
• Respond quickly and accurately to new business introductions, as well as renewal submission.
• Actively identify opportunities to work with colleagues across the business to capitalise on account penetration and cross-selling opportunities.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of relevant products and services offered by WTW.
• Networking – internally with other BUs, within the sector, and with external specialists.

Placement Management

• Work closely and maintain working relationships with key reinsurer contacts in the London and international market.
• Ensure transparency of agency and other commitments made to carriers and cedant clients.
• Manage compliant processing of contracts/MRC’s as per FCA and contract certainty requirements.
• Assist with loading of data into the relevant WTW systems, including the Broking Platform.
• Check contracts, market presentations and client documentation as appropriate.
• Assist with and design programme and pricing structures to best meet the client’s needs and wishes based on knowledge of the client, the reinsurance market and industry sector proposition.
• Ensure marketing is wide, yet tailored to the client’s needs, to ensure the best outcome.

Operational and Service Delivery

• Proactively develop appropriate solutions and proposals for cedants to ensure optimum client retention rates.
• Communicate effectively with clients, cedants, colleagues and markets.
• Development of service plans that define the engagement and timing of engagement with the cedant.
• Ensure adherence to Group policies, procedures and all regulatory requirements.
• Provide feedback on corrective action required to retain cedants or enhance process performance, actively supporting the implementation of any actions that are put in place.

The Requirements:

• Significant prior experience of Property Broking is essential.
• Deep knowledge of Facultative reinsurance and understanding of the Retrocession marketplace.
• Proven track record of delivering high levels of client service.
• Skilled at building effective relationships, at all levels, with existing clients, prospects, associates, and reinsurers.
• Ability to represent WTW with integrity and credibility.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Knowledge of WTW products and services.
• Experience of working, and adherence to processes and systems to support client service delivery.
• Experienced knowledge of reinsurance markets globally to deal effectively with cedant client and WTW needs.
• Preferably ACII qualified or working towards the ACII qualification.
• Foreign language skills are a plus, but not a requirement.

At WTW, we believe difference makes us stronger. We want our workforce to reflect the different and varied markets we operate in and to build a culture of inclusivity that makes colleagues feel welcome, valued, and empowered to bring their whole selves to work every day. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive work environment throughout our organisation. We embrace all types of diversity.

We’re committed to equal employment opportunity and provide application, interview and workplace adjustments and accommodations to all applicants. If you foresee any barriers, from the application process through to joining WTW, please email candidate.helpdesk@willistowerswatson.com.