Retail & Distribution Industry Leader

Role Overview: 

Retail & Distribution (R&D) Industry Leader 

This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for driving Willis’ strategic vision across the retail, wholesale and distribution sector. The R&D Industry Leader will serve as a key architect of growth, client service excellence, and investment strategy; working in close partnership with senior leaders across the organization to shape and execute our industry agenda.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Collaboration
  • Champion the firm’s industry strategy, aligning cross-functional teams and regional leaders to deliver on growth, client engagement, and innovation goals.
  • Lead and inspire a high-performing team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous development.

• Community Building & Value Proposition
  • Cultivate and expand both internal and external communities of practice, reinforcing our position as a trusted advisor in the retail, wholesale and distribution space.
  • Evolve and articulate our value proposition in the sector, ensuring it reflects market needs, emerging trends, and differentiated capabilities.
  • Promote innovation as a core pillar—encouraging new ideas, solutions, and approaches that elevate client outcomes.

• Industry Engagement & Thought Leadership
  • Spearhead thought leadership initiatives, including:
    • Industry newsletters and whitepapers
    • Social media campaigns and marketing collateral
    • Webinars, seminars, and speaking engagements
    • Annual conferences or symposiums—curating topics, speakers, and event strategy
    • Industry forums (i.e. Client Advisory Boards) to foster dialogue and insight-sharing

• Commercial Impact & Client Advocacy
  • Actively support business development through participation in RFPs, client meetings, and strategic pursuits.
  • Partner with broking teams to ensure industry-leading coverage and policy terms tailored to client needs.
  • Provide expert guidance on emerging risks, market dynamics, and service excellence to internal teams and clients.
  • Promote Client Advocacy excellence through supporting account assignment decisions and engaging in client feedback loops for growth opportunities and improved engagement.

• Client Relationship Management
  • Build and deepen relationships with key industry stakeholders, including top-tier clients and a diverse portfolio across North America.
  • Drive whitespace growth and new logo acquisition in alignment with Willis North America’s broader commercial strategy.

• Industry Expertise
  • Serve as a subject matter expert in the industry sector, with deep knowledge of sub-segments such as automotive, grocery, food distribution, personal care and apparel retail and/or wholesale and distribution.

The Requirements

• Degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent work experience
• 15 years’ experience in leading, marketing or servicing major accounts and organizations/groups
• Management experience required
• Licensed broker
• Ability to diagnose complex client issues, comprehend the full breadth of Willis’s services, blend them into practical solutions that meet our clients’ needs
• Strong track record of being highly collaborative across multiple disciplines, and guiding wide-ranging teams toward successful sales and client-service efforts 
• Experience articulating complex, technical issues and solutions to C-Suite buyers across multiple disciplines and then navigating internally to assemble the right team of people to deliver the work 
• Ability to successfully direct multiple projects and ensure quality deliverables on time and within budget
• An executive presence with polished and well developed oral and written communication skills
• Availability to travel on an as needed basis

At WTW, we trust you to know your work and the people, tools and environment you need to be successful. The majority of our colleagues work in a ”hybrid” style, with a mix of remote, in-person and in-office interactions dependent on the needs of the team, role and clients. Our flexibility is rooted in trust and “hybrid” is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

We understand flexibility is key to supporting an inclusive and diverse workforce and so we encourage requests for all types of flexible working as well as location-based arrangements. Please speak to your recruiter to discuss more.
 

Compensation and Benefits

Base salary range and benefits information for this position are being included in accordance with requirements of various state/local pay transparency legislation. Please note that base salaries may vary for different individuals in the same role based on several factors, including but not limited to location of the role, individual competencies, education/professional certifications, qualifications/experience, performance in the role and potential for revenue generation (Producer roles only).

Compensation

The base salary compensation range being offered for this role is $250,000-$350,000 USD per year.

This role is also eligible for an annual short-term incentive bonus.

Company Benefits

WTW provides a competitive benefit package which includes the following (eligibility requirements apply):

• Health and Welfare Benefits: Mental health/emotional wellbeing (including Employee Assistance Program), medical (including prescription drug coverage and fertility benefits), dental, vision, Health Savings Account, Commuter Accounts, Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, company-paid life insurance, supplemental life insurance, AD&D, group accident, group critical illness, group legal, identify theft protection, wellbeing program, adoption assistance, surrogacy assistance, auto/home insurance, pet insurance and other work/life resources
• Leave Benefits: Paid holidays, annual paid time off (includes state/local paid leave where required), company-paid disability (short-term and long-term disability), other leaves (e.g., bereavement, FMLA, ADA, jury duty, military leave, and Parental and Adoption Leave), Paid Time Off (only included for Washington roles)
• Retirement Benefits: Qualified contributory pension plan (if eligible) and 401(k) plan with annual nonelective company contribution. Non-qualified retirement plans available to senior level colleagues who satisfy the plans’ eligibility requirements.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

EOE, including disability/vets

This position will remain posted for a minimum of three business days from the date posted or until sufficient/appropriate candidate slate has been identified.