Practice Lead - Property Risk Engineering

WTW is one of the world’s largest commercial insurance brokers, looking after the risk management and insurance needs of clients of all types, globally. A critical component in this is our Property Risk Engineering (PRE) proposition.

The consistent and sustained growth of our GB business means that we’ve never been busier and we’re now looking for a Practice Leader to lead our PRE team in GB.

Unlike many other Property Risk Engineering or Loss Control functions, we are not here to simply hit survey numbers. Our fundamental aim is to support our clients and the Willis broking proposition, which means deploying the expertise, dedication and creativity of our consultants in the way we think is best for our clients and colleagues, and for our credibility in the insurance market.

Do you want to use your Property Risk Engineering / Loss Control experience in an environment that puts clients and colleagues front and centre, and that doesn’t bind you to rigid ways of working? This is why our Practice exists, and why we need your knowledge and enthusiasm for the job.

You might currently be working for an insurer, broker, consultancy, in house or as an independent.

You might be an Engineer, or have equivalent skills and experience gained from within or outside our industry. The diversity of backgrounds in our team is our strength and we have enough size, complexity and bandwidth to accommodate most skillsets.

The role is home-based and so we welcome applicants from any locations across the UK. It is a client and market facing role with the primary focus being to lead and manage the PRE team, development of the proposition, and having accountability for key accounts.

The Role

• Managing a team of home-based risk engineers based throughout the UK.

• Play a visible, internal and external role as a senior leader and participate in market forums, round table events, etc. to develop / foster key internal and external relationships.

• Promote GB Retail and WTW as a leader in the market with superior industry knowledge, insights and risk engineering solutions

• Providing support to our Regional Directors, Specialist Industry Practice Leaders, Account Teams, New Business Leads, Project Managers, Loss Managers and Sales team to deliver GB Retail’s strategic goals.

• Ensuring the adequacy and efficiency of internal resourcing, available capacity, systems and processes, skills and technical expertise.

• Develop and achieve key departmental KPIs of quality, timeliness and productivity.

• Contribute to Willis thought leadership by contributing to or writing insight pieces, maintaining personal professional development and representing the department and / or company at meetings, events etc.

• Liaise with Risk Engineering / Loss Control and other representatives from insurers to ensure their reasonable requests and expectations are met, and that the reputation of Willis and our clients remains high in the insurance market

• Carrying out Property Damage and Business Interruption risk surveys of commercial and industrial facilities, evaluating hazards, controls and loss estimates, and making risk improvement recommendations. Capture information and data and produce detailed reports.

• Co-ordinate and manage multi-site survey programmes, analyse findings and produce stewardship reports.

• Provide technical support to account teams and clients including project / plan review, implementation of risk improvement recommendations, development of corporate standards and ad hoc queries.

• Communicate effectively with our clients, to help them understand their challenges and industry best practices and assist them in implementing pragmatic solutions, where appropriate.

• Work with Willis client teams to help identify (and anticipate) Property Risk Engineering needs, maximise support to clients and optimise their standing with insurers.

• Collaboration with other Risk Management Practice Leaders to deliver a coordinated, value-added proposition.

• Keep up to date on areas of emerging risk areas, technological developments in risk and loss prevention and market trends.

• Manage PRE costs and budget and ensure management reporting and information is accurate and up to date.

The Requirements

• Significant property risk engineering / loss control experience, preferably gained with a large broker or insurer.

• Degree level calibre, preferably with a recognised and relevant technical qualification.

• Additional credentials such as membership of a professional institution (engineering or otherwise) or formal HPR-type training would be recognised but is not essential.

• Detailed knowledge of current risk management and loss prevention practices in Property Risk Engineering.

• Sound knowledge and understanding of fire protection solutions and the relevant codes for their design, installation and maintenance, e.g. FM, LPC, NFPA, EN, etc.

• Experience across a wide range of occupancy types.

• Stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence across a broad spectrum of internal and external stakeholders

• Strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely.

• Self-starter, with good interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively relate to individuals at all levels – from site operatives up to company CEOs.

• Client focused.

• Ability to write detailed reports of a varied technical nature, which are accurate, concise and show good attention to detail.

• Excellent motivational, leadership and organisational skills and the ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.

• The ability to support and motivate both less and highly experienced colleagues.

• Knowledge of NATCAT risks and available mitigation measures

• Basic understanding of AI / GenAI technology and how it can be used to support the risk management process and drive efficiencies.

• Full UK driving licence

At WTW, we believe difference makes us stronger. We want our workforce to reflect the different and varied markets we operate in and to build a culture of inclusivity that makes colleagues feel welcome, valued and empowered to bring their whole selves to work every day. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive work environment throughout our organisation. We embrace all types of diversity.

We’re committed to equal employment opportunity and provide application, interview and workplace adjustments and accommodations to all applicants. If you foresee any barriers, from the application process through to joining WTW, please email [email protected].