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Job description
What part will you play? If you’re looking for a place where you can make a meaningful difference, you’ve found it. The work we do at Markel gives people the confidence to move forward and seize opportunities, and you’ll find your fit amongst our global community of optimists and problem-solvers. We’re always pushing each other to go further because we believe that when we realize our potential, we can help others reach theirs. Join us and play your part in something special! The Chief Operations Officer (COO) for the Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Division is a senior executive accountable for the operational, technological, and executional performance of the US Wholesale & Specialty division — driving underwriting productivity, technology enablement, operational excellence, and broker service to deliver targeted combined ratio and growth outcomes.
Job Responsibilities
Strategic Operations Leadership
Own the W&S operating model across regions, underwriting support, service, and workflow
Set the vision for the future W&S operating model, articulating a progressive, AI enabled end-state and the path to achieve it
Lead transformation initiatives that improve speed, quality, and expense ratio
Drive organizational clarity, decision rights, and process consistency
Technology, Digital, and Data Ownership
Oversee a federated W&S technology organization aligned to business priorities
Set and own the W&S IT roadmap in partnership with enterprise architecture
Lead modernization of underwriting, workflow, portals, and automation (including AI)
Ensure data accessibility, MI/analytics support, and performance transparency
Provide transparency on allocations/chargebacks and clearly articulate the value and outcomes delivered by any remaining central operations
Execution of P&L-Critical Initiatives
Improve underwriting productivity (referrals, cycle times, low-touch workflows)
Enhance ease of doing business for brokers and underwriters
Drive implementation of digital trading and small-risks automation
Improve operational SLAs and service outcomes
Governance, Cadence & Leadership
Lead W&S Ops leadership meetings; co-own IT & Ops prioritization forums
Drive alignment across underwriting, claims, Ops, IT, HR, and finance
Ensure effective preparation for quarterly business reviews, regional P&L, and reserving meetings
People, Culture & Talent
Build a high-performing integrated Ops/IT/Data organization
Mentor and develop operational and technology leaders
Promote a culture of empowerment, speed, and continuous improvement
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Insurance, Information Technology, or a related field
Work Experience/Skill Set
10+ years of progressive leadership experience in insurance operations, with a focus on wholesale and specialty insurance
Demonstrated expertise in underwriting processes and IT systems
Demonstrated AI fluency, including the ability to identify high-value use cases, govern risk, and scale AI-enabled workflows across operations and underwriting
Have a proven track record at a senior leadership level of driving and owning large scale change.
Possess an excellent understanding of all aspects of our insurance business plans and growth aspirations
Stay ahead of external trends and ensure creativity and innovation across all aspects of our operations
Be confident in leading and influencing senior leadership teams from across the organization, along with managing multiple stakeholder groups at all levels
Proven experience of driving process efficiency and an ability to define process excellence
Have an ability to coach, mentor and inspire, both within direct team structure and across the organization
US Work Authorization
US Work Authorization required. Markel does not provide visa sponsorship for this position, now or in the future.
Pay information
The base salary offered for the successful candidate will be based on compensable factors such as job-relevant education, job-relevant experience, training, licensure, demonstrated competencies, geographic location, and other factors. Title and salary will be commensurate with skill set/experience. The national average salary for the Chief Operations Officer, Wholesale & Specialty is $317,000 - $387,000 with 65% incentive and 35% LTI.
Who we are
Markel Group (NYSE – MKL) a fortune 500 company with over 60 offices in 20+ countries, is a holding company for insurance, reinsurance, specialist advisory and investment operations around the world.
We’re all about people | We win together | We strive for better We enjoy the everyday | We think further
What’s in it for you
In keeping with the values of the Markel Style, we strive to support our employees in living their lives to the fullest at home and at work.
All full-time employees have the option to select from multiple health, dental and vision insurance plan options and optional life, disability, and AD&D insurance.
We also offer a 401(k) with employer match contributions, an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, PTO, corporate holidays and floating holidays, parental leave.
No agencies please.
Markel is an equal opportunity employer.
We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of any protected characteristic.
This includes race; color; sex; religion; creed; national origin or place of birth; ancestry; age; disability; affectional or sexual orientation; gender expression or identity; genetic information, sickle cell trait, or atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait; refusal to submit to genetic tests or make genetic test results available; medical condition; citizenship status; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, familial status, or family responsibilities; military or veteran status, including unfavorable discharge from military service; personal appearance, height, or weight; matriculation or political affiliation; expunged juvenile records; arrest and court records where prohibited by applicable law; status as a victim of domestic or sexual violence; public assistance status; order of protection status; status as a smoker or nonsmoker; membership or activity in local commissions; the use or nonuse of lawful products off employer premises during non-work hours; declining to attend meetings or participate in communications about religious or political matters; or any other classification protected by applicable law.
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Worksite address
chicago, IL, 60290, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.