Managing Director, Insurance (Life & Annuities)

West Monroe•Chicago, NY

4d•$280,000 - $308,000

About The Position

West Monroe is hiring an Insurance Managing Director focused on the Life & Annuities market. This leader will grow the firm’s relationships and business with life insurers, annuity providers, reinsurers, retirement businesses, and distribution organizations. The role combines executive-level business development with hands-on leadership of strategy, operating model, and technology transformation engagements. The ideal candidate has a strong Life & Annuities network, a record of building consulting relationships, and the ability to connect industry challenges with practical business and technology solutions. Preferred locations are Chicago and New York. The Managing Director develops client relationships and opportunities, shapes account and go-to-market strategies, leads proposals and engagements, and connects clients to West Monroe’s business and technology capabilities. The role also contributes to the growth and financial performance of the Insurance practice, leads and mentors consultants, supports recruiting, and provides engagement oversight and quality assurance across a client portfolio. Frequent travel is required to be on-site with clients and in person with project teams three days per week. The national salary range is $280,000–$308,000 USD. Individual salary is determined by factors including geography, experience, skills, education, and internal equity; a geographic premium applies to employees near certain listed offices. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance; a 401(k) plan; the opportunity to purchase shares through the employee stock ownership program; annual bonus eligibility; unlimited flexible time off; ten paid holidays; and eligibility for ten weeks of paid parental leave upon hire.

Requirements

At least 12 years of experience leading business and technology strategy, operating model, or transformation initiatives within Life & Annuities organizations, including carriers, annuity providers, reinsurers, retirement businesses, or distribution organizations.
An active network of relevant executive-level contacts in the local market or region.
Strong background in program and project management methodologies, including strategic planning and analysis, schedule, scope, issue, and risk management.
Ability to travel frequently to be on-site with clients and in person with project teams three days per week.
Strong communication skills and commitment to inclusion and diversity, with openness to new ideas and perspectives.
Ability to lead entrepreneurial environments, balancing decision-making with collaboration.
Subject matter expertise and business skills, with intellectual agility and capacity for original thought.
Collaborative, disciplined approach and ability to lead and motivate teams and attract, develop, and retain talent.

Nice To Haves

Recent experience leading a relevant consulting group or practice in the local market, preferably within the past three years.
Experience in policy administration, new business and underwriting, distribution transformation, in-force management, actuarial or finance transformation, or retirement solutions.
Technical experience with insurance core platforms, data and AI, digital distribution, and business transformation.
Experience with change management.
Visibility in relevant professional organizations, published thought leadership, and an active voice in the local market.

Responsibilities

Cultivate new and existing client opportunities across life insurers, annuity providers, reinsurers, retirement businesses, and life and annuity distribution organizations.
Build executive relationships and recurring business around client priorities such as new business and underwriting, policy administration modernization, in-force policy management, claims and beneficiary experience, distribution effectiveness, product and operating model transformation, and retirement solutions.
Identify opportunities to apply West Monroe capabilities in business and technology strategy, data and AI, digital experience, core platform modernization, and operational transformation.
Develop account and go-to-market strategies for carriers, reinsurers, and distribution organizations.
Lead proposals and engagements involving business, actuarial, technology, operations, and distribution stakeholders.
Participate in relevant local business and Insurance industry organizations.
Understand client issues and connect them to appropriate West Monroe capabilities and offerings, converting identified needs into consulting opportunities and proposals.
Develop proposals, work plans, pricing estimates, and risk assessments for potential projects.
Partner with Technology, Operational Excellence, Customer Solutions, and product practices to develop multidisciplinary proposals.
Partner with Insurance and West Monroe leaders, Business Development, and Marketing teams to lead and drive marketing campaigns.
Collaborate with office and Insurance leadership to grow the Insurance practice in alignment with national practice goals for headcount, financials, and clients.
Create go-to-market strategies and help develop or enhance Insurance practice methodologies, best practices, and client delivery approaches.
Lead, mentor, and develop consultants; participate in performance management and recruiting for practice managers and consultants.
Contribute time and effort to growing the firm’s culture and its people inside and outside office hours.
Manage practice financials in accordance with national Insurance Practice budgets.
Provide engagement leadership and quality assurance across a client portfolio.
Deliver value through consulting engagements and meaningful thought leadership.
Manage and mentor consultant teams to ensure quality delivery and keep projects on time and budget.
Respond to immediate client requests while driving projects to completion; serve as an escalation point.
Analyze client requests, identify underlying issues, and recommend appropriate solutions.