Head of Technology - Risk Placement Services

Introduction

At Risk Placement Services, we're more than just a team - we thrive on collaboration, creativity, and tackling challenges head-on. Our culture fosters an environment where every idea counts, and every individual's contribution matters. Step into a world of excitement and innovation as we work with top-rated carriers to design robust coverage for our clients. Unleash your potential and join our spirited team, where you'll have the freedom to explore and the support to grow.

We believe that every candidate brings something special to the table, including you! So, even if you feel that you’re close but not an exact match, we encourage you to apply.

Overview

Risk Placement Services (RPS), a division of Gallagher, is one of the nation’s largest specialty insurance products distributors, offering valuable solutions in Wholesale Brokerage, Binding Authority, Programs and Standard Lines, plus specialized auto through the Pronto Insurance brand. Headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, RPS has more than 80 offices nationwide. We plan and administer a full array of insurance, risk management, self-insurance, claims management, and employee benefit products and services through a group of highly specialized companies.

The Head of Technology will be responsible for leading technology initiatives bringing best-in-class functionality and cutting-edge technology to the Risk Placement Services business. The Head of Technology will be responsible for collaborating with other divisions and driving the transformation of programs. This role requires excellent communication skills, the ability to work with cross-functional teams, and a deep understanding of the latest technologies, including Generative AI.

Key Relationships

• Reports to the Gallagher Global Brokerage (GGB) - Americas Specialty CIO
• Strong dotted-line to CEO, Risk Placement Services
• Peers within the Global IT organization, including Divisional IT Leaders; Heads of IT Operations, Information Security, Data, and Digital Development
• Strong relationships with Divisional Finance and Accounting, Legal, HR
  
  

Key Responsibilities

How you'll make an impact

Vision and Influence

• Contribute to Risk Placement Services (RPS) business strategy as a member of the RPS senior leadership team. Influence and educate on the art of the possible from an IT perspective. Manage the technology function for RPS business beyond the requirements of the IT function.
• Together with the relevant Executive Committee members and members of the Corporate Technology function, collaborate, develop, and help execute a comprehensive technology strategy, architecture, and IT Operating Model that aligns with Gallagher’s and GGB Americas Specialty overall business objectives.
• Focus on digital transformation, data/AI, and innovation specific to the insurance industry. Drive change with a sense of urgency.
• Collaborate with other divisions, to ensure effective communication and sharing of resources.
• Effectively measure and drive value creation of technology investments and priorities.
• Lead the transformation of programs within the RPS division.
• Work closely RPS IT team to ensure resource allocation and growth opportunities for employees.
• Stay up to date with the latest advancements in Generative AI and apply relevant knowledge and experience to drive innovation.
• Conduct diagnostic work to identify similarities and areas for consolidation within the RPS business.
• Collaborate with Gallagher Technology Services (GTS), Network Operations Center (NOC), and Gallagher Center of Excellence (GCoE) to focus on process automation and infrastructure improvements.
• Engage with Branch Managers and Key Leaders to understand their needs and align technology projects with business objectives.
  
  

Leadership and Execution

• Lead (where relevant) the evaluation, selection, and implementation of cutting-edge technology solutions and platforms that will drive ownership and commitment from Americas Specialty leadership and Gallagher Corporate Technology to support RPS business growth, ensuring both cost and process efficiency are maintained throughout.
• Continually rationalize the RPS application portfolio, consisting of applications added organically and acquired from M&As, to minimize vendors, applications, complexity, and cost. Ensure the ongoing operation of software applications meets requirements for performance, availability, recoverability, compliance, and security.
• Ensure that RPS leverages Gallagher Corporate Technology Services including IT Infrastructure and Security. Ensure Corporate Technology initiatives are understood, supported, and implemented across RPS.
• Join forces with GGB Americas IT Leadership to implement the new target operating model for IT ensuring that it drives a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and collaboration across technology teams, and promotes agile methodologies, cross-functional collaboration, and knowledge sharing.
• Be accountable for the development of processes and performance metrics required to operate efficiently and effectively.
• Ensure vendor relationships are managed with Sourcing to ensure cost-effective technology solutions while ensuring service levels and performance standards are met.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies, industry trends, and regulatory changes in the insurance sector, providing strategic guidance and thought leadership to the IT Leadership team as well as to the GGB Americas Leaders.
• Work with GGB Americas Specialty IT Finance team to insure good financial hygiene such as budgeting and finance reporting, and support for Gallagher Finance processes
  
  

People Management and Development

• Right size the team (including location of work); recruit, motivate, and develop a superior team; and establish a clear definition of excellence in technology development and/or implementation that demonstrates urgency and is driven by business and client needs.
• Ensure practices are followed to maximize team performance and retention, including performance management, training, and development
• Ensure appropriate succession planning initiatives are undertaken to ensure strong IT Leadership for RPS in the future.
  
  

The Gallagher Way

• Champions Gallagher’s values and culture. Exemplifies the tenets of The Gallagher Way; engages, participates and collaborates with others.
  
  

About You

Required Experience:

• Bachelor's degree. Advanced Degree desired
• 10 to 15 years of technology leadership experience preferably in insurance, including brokerage, MGA, Wholesale and Carrier
• Experience navigating brokerage and underwriting systems and applications, CRM, document management and workflow
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Transformational experience, with a track record of driving change and innovation.
• Strong knowledge of the latest technologies, including Generative AI.
• Ability to analyze business needs and align technology projects accordingly.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams.
  
  

Critical Competencies for Success

• Proven track record of successful leadership and knowledge of insurance related global business in a regulated environment
• Experience successfully managing an IT Control environment including alignment with Sarbanes-Oxley, SOC, GAAP, COBIT and ITIL
• Experience operating, leading, and managing at a national/regional scale to include North America
• Experience leading a digital program and delivering a data transformation program. (Experience of delivery is critical)
• Ability to be proactive, anticipating business needs in advance and providing workable solutions
• Cultural awareness and the ability to successfully influence and engage colleagues and leaders in a multi-cultural and multi-geographical business
• Ability to establish and maintain strong relationships with many diverse constituencies and stakeholders and appropriately calibrate demand and capacity to meet business expectations for outcomes and the ability to demonstrate strategic thinking and value add at executive committee level
• Proven track record of success in leading the technology work streams of merger integrations/acquisitions
• Ability to manage cost and budget with strong analytical and commercial thinking
• Ability to innovate and provide next generation thinking for the issues facing the insurance business today
• Effective use of judgement and consideration in problem solving and decision making
• Demonstrated success in a matrixed organization, with the ability to engage and motivate colleagues both across geographies and at all levels of the organization
  
  

Compensation And Benefits

On top of a competitive salary, great teams and exciting career opportunities, we also offer a wide range of benefits.

Below are the minimum core benefits you’ll get, depending on your job level these benefits may improve:

• Medical/dental/vision plans, which start from day one!
• Life and accident insurance
• 401(K) and Roth options
• Tax-advantaged accounts (HSA, FSA)
• Educational expense reimbursement
• Paid parental leave
  
  

Other benefits include:

• Digital mental health services (Talkspace)
• Flexible work hours (availability varies by office and job function)
• Training programs
• Gallagher Thrive program - elevating your health through challenges, workshops and digital fitness programs for your overall wellbeing
• Charitable matching gift program
• And more...
  
  

We value inclusion and diversity

Click Here to review our U.S. Eligibility Requirements and Pay Disclosure Statement

Inclusion and diversity (I&D) is a core part of our business, and it’s embedded into the fabric of our organization. For more than 95 years, Gallagher has led with a commitment to sustainability and to support the communities where we live and work.

Gallagher embraces our employees’ diverse identities, experiences and talents, allowing us to better serve our clients and communities. We see inclusion as a conscious commitment and diversity as a vital strength. By embracing diversity in all its forms, we live out The Gallagher Way to its fullest.

Gallagher believes that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity and prohibits any form of discrimination by its managers, employees, vendors or customers based on race, color, religion, creed, gender (including pregnancy status), sexual orientation, gender identity (which includes transgender and other gender non-conforming individuals), gender expression, hair expression, marital status, parental status, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran or military status, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected (herein referred to as “protected characteristics”) by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Equal employment opportunity will be extended in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, demotion, compensation, benefits, layoff, and termination. In addition, Gallagher will make reasonable accommodations to known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified person with a disability, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.