Practice Leader - Property Risk Engineering

We are looking for a Practice Leader to lead our Property Risk Engineering team in the UK.  The consistent and sustained growth of our GB Retail business means that we’ve never been busier.  This is a great opportunity to lead an experienced team and gain wider exposure in the GB Retail market.

A client and market facing role with accountability for key accounts, the primary focus of the Practice Leader is to manage the Property Risk Engineering (PRE) team and proposition.  This includes managing a team of home-based risk engineers, providing exceptional service for our clients, creating and delivering a range of Risk Management services, and supporting Regional Directors and Industry Practice Leaders, Account Teams, New Business Leads, Project Managers, Loss Managers, Sales team, etc. to deliver GB Retail’s strategic and financial goals.

As a Practice Leader, you will be expected to carry out risk engineering surveys and produce high quality technical reports, develop new business opportunities, support on sales, client / account management, provide technical support to clients, as well as having people management responsibilities.  You will be responsible for the full spectrum of activities related to our risk engineering and valuations propositions, including; resourcing and capacity, skills and technical expertise, assessing client and market needs, systems and processes.

The Role

•    Ensure the PRE team has the necessary skills and resources to meet the needs of our clients
•    Developing / fostering key internal and external relationships 
•    Promote GB Retail and WTW as a leader in the market with superior industry knowledge, insights and risk engineering solutions
•    Playing a visible, external role as a senior leader and participate in market forums, round table events, etc. 
•    Assessing the London / regional marketplace for opportunities (including future opportunities) and identifying products / service offerings to respond to those opportunities, and to identify where existing services are no longer fit for purpose
•    Participating in the design, execution and roll-out of new services by leading and coordinating the work of the PRE team and collaborating with Industry Practice Leaders, Regional Directors, Loss Management, Account teams, Sales, etc. to:

o    Develop and deliver the PRE objectives 
o    Develop and disseminate solutions and intellectual capital to support GB Retail clients
o    Develop and execute marketing plans

•    Undertake property surveys across all hazard classes and produce clear written technical reports with appropriate risk recommendations where appropriate. 
•    Account management responsibilities with ability to deliver large multi-national programs
•    Provide technical risk engineering support (including on new / existing projects) for WTW clients and internal stakeholders 
•    Presenting risk engineering marketing reports and technical presentations
•    Produce stewardship reports
•    Supporting new business and account defences
•    Delivery of technical risk engineering training programmes including oversight of trainee development
•    Ensure work is completed on time and to client satisfaction
•    Keep up to date on areas of emerging risk areas, technological developments in risk and loss prevention and market trends
•    Manage PRE costs and budget 
•    Collaboration with other Risk Management Practice Leaders, Regional Directors, Industry Practice Leaders, Head of Claims and Sales Leaders to deliver a coordinated, value-added proposition for GB Retail clients
•    Overall responsibility for marketing and promotional activities of the Practice
•    Ensuring management reporting and information is accurate and up to date
•    Leading on complex projects and new business leads
•    Ensure the proposition is up to date and fit for purpose
•    Deliver on the objectives of the PRE Practice in support of the wider Risk Management and GB Retail strategic objectives
•    Work with Account teams, Real Estate Practice, Head of Client and Sales teams to build out the service proposition and help identify and define client needs
•    Share best practice with the wider Risk Management Team Practice Leaders, Account Teams and Business Unit Leaders as appropriate
•    Attend prospect and new client meetings as appropriate

The Requirements

Qualifications:

•    Considerable experience in the field of property risk engineering and loss prevention, preferably within the broking industry
•    Experience in property valuations and account engineering, with technical expertise in property exposures
•    Qualified to a minimum of bachelor’s degree level (engineering, science, technology or mathematics) or with other appropriate technical qualifications or practical vocational experience
•    Knowledge of sprinkler codes and other internationally recognised standards
•    Willingness to travel throughout UK (and further afield if required).

Skills:

•    Strong communication skills with the ability to build, develop and maintain key client relationships
•    Strong analytical and negotiation skills 
•    Business and financial acumen with an understanding of legal issues, company strategy, operating environment and business objectives
•    Excellent communication (written, verbal, oral & presentation), negotiation and influencing skills
•    Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence across a broad spectrum of internal and external stakeholders
•    Strong skills in planning and problem solving with a clear focus on understanding and exceeding client expectations
•    Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
•    Good facilitation skills – able to use inclusive / collaborative styles to gain agreement and manage conflict
•    Good understanding of general insurance products, services and the insurance broking process
•    Motivational and leadership skills
•    Ability to deliver training in a wide range of areas

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.