Vice President, Operations

Relation Insurance Services • Chicago, IL

2d • $129,000 - $226,000

About The Position

The Vice President, Operations leads operational strategy and execution for an assigned region in partnership with Regional Leadership and Shared Services. This role provides leadership and oversight for operational processes, controls, service delivery, performance reporting, and team effectiveness to support growth, profitability, consistency, and an exceptional client experience. The Vice President improves operational performance, manages risk, implements scalable solutions, and aligns regional execution with Relation’s broader business objectives.

The role provides strategic direction across applicable regional functions, which may include loss control, claims, client service, and policy and plan administration. It partners with Finance, Regional Leaders, Shared Services, senior leadership, and acquisition integration teams to meet financial and operational objectives, support growth, and transition acquired offices. The Vice President leads change and continuous improvement, develops a high-performing operations team, and uses technology, automation, and Relation’s proprietary artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and service delivery while protecting confidential and sensitive information.

The position requires insurance brokerage experience and at least 15 years of progressive experience in insurance operations. A four-year degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Finance, or a related field is specified, along with a high school diploma or equivalent. An advanced insurance designation is preferred. Travel may be required based on business need.

Requirements

• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in insurance operations, including significant experience leading complex operational functions, teams, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Insurance brokerage experience.
• Strong understanding of insurance brokerage operations, including client service delivery, claims, policy administration, operational controls, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing operational strategies that improve growth, profitability, efficiency, and service delivery.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams, influence cross-functional partners, and drive accountability for results.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities, with the ability to develop and implement practical solutions.
• Strong analytical capabilities, including the ability to translate operational and financial data into actionable business recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and relationship-building skills, including the ability to clearly communicate complex operational matters to executive leaders, employees, clients, and other stakeholders.
• In-depth knowledge of applicable industry regulations, compliance requirements, and operational best practices.
• Ability to lead through change, manage competing priorities, and deliver results in a dynamic, multi-location environment.
• Proficient skills in Microsoft Office and related business technology platforms; computer literacy and ability to learn new software applications and proprietary AI tools.
• Ability to travel based on business need.
• A four-year degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Finance, or a related field is listed.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading operations across multiple offices, regions, or lines of business.
• Experience supporting acquisitions, operational integrations, or enterprise transformation initiatives.
• Advanced insurance designation such as CPCU, CIC, CRM, ARM, AIS, AFIS, CISR, or another relevant professional designation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute regional operational strategies aligned with Relation’s business objectives and the vision, standards, and priorities established by Regional Shared Services.
• Partner with regional Shared Services to implement operational risk management practices and maintain compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and Relation standards.
• Lead and optimize regional operating processes, controls, service delivery, and reporting to improve efficiency, scalability, profitability, and client experience.
• Provide strategic direction and operational leadership across applicable regional functions, which may include loss control, claims, client service, and policy and plan administration.
• Partner with Finance and Regional Leaders to establish and achieve regional financial and operational objectives.
• Establish analytical frameworks, key performance indicators, and financial and operational metrics to support decisions, identify trends and opportunities, and mitigate risk.
• Monitor operational performance, identify root causes and improvement opportunities, and implement practical solutions.
• Lead regional change initiatives and support teams adopting new processes, systems, structures, and operating expectations.
• Communicate operational priorities, decisions, performance expectations, and dependencies across the region.
• Promote continuous improvement by standardizing effective practices, reducing unnecessary manual work, and scaling successful solutions across the region.
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing operations team through clear expectations, capability development, coaching, support, and accountability.
• Drive client service excellence by establishing and monitoring service standards and implementing strategies to improve service consistency and client satisfaction.
• Partner with Regional and Senior leadership to support growth strategies by ensuring operational capacity, service readiness, and scalable processes.
• Stay current on industry trends, market conditions, regulatory developments, and emerging technologies; evaluate operational impacts and recommend enhancements.
• Partner with acquisition integration and cross-functional teams to support acquired-office transitions, including adoption of Relation processes, systems, service standards, and reporting practices.
• Use technology, automation, and Relation’s proprietary artificial intelligence tools to improve operational efficiency, analysis, decision-making, documentation, and service delivery while protecting confidential and sensitive information.
• Complete special projects and other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive pay.
• Family health and wellness programs.
• 401K.
• Employee assistance programs.
• Paid time off.
• Paid holidays.
• Career advancement and development opportunities.
• Potential eligibility for a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to its governing rules and applicable factors.

What This Job Offers

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