Manager, Strategic Initiatives

Gallagher • Rolling Meadows, IL

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager, Strategic Initiatives leads the planning, execution, and sustainment of enterprise and client-focused initiatives that improve operational efficiency, enhance service delivery, and drive measurable business outcomes across Gallagher Bassett. This role is ideal for a mid-career professional with demonstrated experience managing complex initiatives, influencing cross-functional stakeholders, translating business needs into actionable plans, and delivering results in a dynamic operations environment. The Manager is expected to operate with independence, provide thought partnership to senior leaders, and guide workstreams that span Claims Operations, Client Services, IT, GCoE, and other functional areas.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and 7 years related experience required.
• Experience applying project management methodologies such as Agile, Waterfall, hybrid delivery, Lean, or Six Sigma
• Experience building operational dashboards, executive reporting, business cases, or performance scorecards
• Working knowledge of claims operations, insurance, risk management, client service models, or third-party administration
• Experience leading change management, operational readiness, process redesign, or system enhancement initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional initiatives, drive workstreams, and deliver results with limited supervision
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and prioritization skills with attention to detail and business impact
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and related collaboration or reporting tools

Responsibilities

• Lead assigned low- to medium-complexity strategic initiatives from discovery through implementation, adoption, and value realization
• Develop and maintain project plans, milestones, dependencies, risks, issues, and decision logs to ensure disciplined execution
• Prepare executive-ready status updates, business cases, meeting materials, and recommendations for senior stakeholders
• Facilitate working sessions, drive alignment, and hold project teams accountable for timely completion of deliverables
• Evaluate current-state workflows, identify root causes of operational gaps, and recommend scalable process improvements
• Design and implement process documentation, SOPs, job aids, controls, and governance routines that support consistent execution
• Partner with business and technology teams to define requirements, validate solutions, support testing, and manage operational readiness
• Monitor operational performance, adoption, and sustainment metrics to ensure improvements deliver intended outcomes
• Use data to frame business problems, evaluate options, and inform recommendations for operational and client-facing initiatives
• Develop reports, dashboards, scorecards, and presentations that translate complex information into clear insights and actions
• Define, track, and communicate initiative performance metrics, including productivity, cycle time, quality, adoption, and value capture
• Ensure data integrity, alignment, and consistent interpretation across stakeholders and reporting forums
• Serve as a primary point of coordination for cross-functional stakeholders across Claims, IT, GCoE, Client Services, and other business partners
• Facilitate decision-making by documenting key decisions, unresolved risks, dependencies, and escalation needs
• Develop and execute communication, training, and change adoption plans that support successful rollout and stakeholder engagement
• Build trusted relationships with business partners and influence outcomes without direct authority
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve team practices, governance routines, and operational performance
• Share knowledge, coach project contributors, and reinforce consistent standards for documentation, execution, and stakeholder engagement
• Apply working knowledge of claims operations, systems, and GB services to anticipate impacts and shape practical solutions
• Model accountability, sound judgment, adaptability, and a continuous improvement mindset in ambiguous or evolving situations

Benefits

• 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
• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level