I

IMA Financial Group

Insurance, risk management, and wealth advisory

National Real Estate Practice Leader

Full-Time
$250k - $350k+ Annual Performance Bonus + Stock Purchase
Expert
Remote in USA+6 moreMore locations: Pasadena, CA, USA | Dallas, TX, USA | New York, NY, USA | Bellevue, WA, USA | Denver, CO, USA | Anaheim, CA, USA
Remote
InsuranceInsurance Sales & Agency

About the job

Requirements
  • Extensive real estate-related brokerage, underwriting, risk management, consulting, or adjacent experience, with strong technical knowledge of real estate exposures and insurance solutions.
  • Demonstrated credibility across relevant real estate sectors, client operating models, risk exposures, insurance markets, and competitive dynamics.
  • Experience supporting complex real estate portfolios, sophisticated placements, development projects, strategic pursuits, or industry-specific solutions.
  • Strong knowledge of property and catastrophe risk, valuation, builder’s risk, complex casualty, contractual risk transfer, claims, and alternative risk considerations.
  • Demonstrated ability to build senior-level relationships with real estate executives, clients, carrier leaders, associations, centers of influence, and strategic partners.
  • Proven ability to lead through influence across markets, functions, and reporting lines.
  • Experience recruiting, developing, mentoring, or deploying specialized talent.
  • Ability to convert technical knowledge into practical solutions, clear communication, scalable tools, and measurable growth or client value.
  • Real estate industry and business acumen.
  • Strategic leadership and commercial judgment.
  • Capability building and talent development.
  • Market partnership and growth enablement.
  • Relationship building with real estate executives, carriers, and industry partners.
  • Complex client and pursuit leadership.
  • Enterprise collaboration and shared accountability.
  • Effective communication and executive presence.
  • Execution discipline and follow-through.
Responsibilities
  • Drive national new business growth across priority real estate sectors, which may include multifamily, affordable housing, commercial office, industrial and logistics, retail, mixed-use, hospitality, development, and property management.
  • Actively support producers on complex real estate opportunities, including strategy, program structure, property and catastrophe risk, valuation, builder’s risk, casualty, environmental risk, cyber, management liability, claims, and alternative risk considerations.
  • Provide direct involvement on high-value pursuits, including complex portfolios, catastrophe-exposed assets, development projects, and organizations with sophisticated risk financing needs.
  • Participate in internal business reviews, prospect meetings, client presentations, and requests for proposal responses, representing national real estate expertise.
  • Bring forward timely insights on real estate, capital markets, insurance conditions, regulatory developments, climate risk, construction costs, and economic trends, and apply them to client and growth strategy.
  • Develop and execute the national strategic plan for the Real Estate Practice, ensuring alignment with enterprise growth priorities.
  • Establish a clear point of view on priority client segments, geographic opportunities, differentiation, investment needs, and where the practice can win.
  • Partner with market and sales leaders to translate opportunity into focused plans with outcomes, owners, milestones, talent needs, service needs, and resource requirements.
  • Align service standards, technical expectations, and client delivery models across participating markets to support a consistent client experience.
  • Assess the current state of the practice and recommend where to scale, strengthen, incubate, maintain, partner, or stop.
  • Build and maintain deep relationships with property and casualty carriers, wholesale and program partners, alternative risk providers, and other markets relevant to real estate clients.
  • Strengthen market access and carrier alignment for complex portfolios, catastrophe-exposed assets, development projects, and difficult or specialized risks.
  • Build trusted relationships with real estate associations, centers of influence, lenders, capital partners, and other industry stakeholders.
  • Collaborate with carriers and external partners to bring useful market intelligence, benchmarking, risk insights, and new solutions to clients and internal teams.
  • Represent the company in relevant real estate forums and bring emerging client needs, market changes, and partnership opportunities back into the organization.
  • Define the production, service, technical, analytics, claims, risk control, and leadership capabilities required for the practice to succeed.
  • Actively support specialty recruiting by identifying talent pools, target organizations, role profiles, and high-potential candidates, and by participating in interviews and selection.
  • Partner with Market Presidents and business leaders on onboarding, deployment, development, promotion, and retention of real estate talent.
  • Mentor and develop real estate-specialized talent across production, account management, technical placement, analytics, claims, and risk control.
  • Build a sustainable national bench of real estate experts and future leaders, with deliberate development and succession planning.
  • Reduce reliance on any one individual or market by converting expertise into repeatable solutions, playbooks, tools, training, service standards, and delivery models.
  • Serve as a consultative growth partner to Market Presidents, Commercial Lines leaders, sales leaders, producers, and client teams.
  • Engage early in strategic prospects, complex client needs, and major opportunities to pressure-test assumptions, shape pursuit strategy, and connect the right expertise and resources.
  • Increase producer confidence and effectiveness through real estate insight, practical coaching, relationship support, and clear access to practice resources.
  • Lead national practice calls and cross-market collaboration, promoting knowledge sharing and the transfer of proven approaches.
  • Partner with Marketing on focused thought leadership, events, association involvement, and market-facing content aligned with practice strategy.
  • Help markets replicate proven growth plays while adapting them to local asset classes, relationships, talent, and execution realities.
  • Establish meaningful goals and expectations for growth, talent, capability, client value, activity, and execution.
  • Maintain a regular review cadence with market and enterprise stakeholders, surface risks and barriers early, and recommend adjustments based on evidence.
  • Create shared accountability across specialty, market, sales, and service leadership by clarifying ownership, milestones, resource needs, and decision points.
  • Represent the practice in enterprise planning and provide an objective view of opportunity, capacity, performance, and investment needs.
  • Measure success through the capability and results of the practice, not simply the individual activity of the Practice Leader.

About the company

I

IMA Financial Group

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IMA Financial Group is a diversified financial services company that provides insurance, risk management, and wealth management services to individuals and large corporations in the U.S. It helps clients protect assets, manage risk, and grow wealth through customized solutions backed by data-driven insights. Its offerings include tailored insurance products, risk-Management strategies, and comprehensive wealth management, with revenue coming from insurance premiums, advisory fees, and wealth management fees. A key differentiator is Towerstone, its subsidiary focused on specialty insurance brokerage for niche markets such as energy, allowing IMA to serve complex risk needs beyond traditional insurance. The company aims to deliver practical, customized financial protection and guidance that reduces risk and supports long-term financial security and growth for its clients.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

Debt Financing

Total Funding

$1.6B

Headquarters

Denver, Colorado

Founded

1974

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What believers are saying

  • Oak Hill, New Mountain, and HarbourVest funded technology, talent, and partnership expansion.
  • IMA placed a $4 billion AI data center property program on April 22, 2026.
  • Washington, Alabama, and global risk leadership hires signal continued geographic and vertical expansion.

What critics are saying

  • Moody’s rated IMA’s $1.295 billion term loan B3 on August 5, 2026.
  • Leverage exceeded 7.5x through March 2026, crushing free cash flow coverage.
  • The June 2026 Howden and EPIC lawsuits expose retention fragility across producer teams.

What makes IMA Financial Group unique

  • Majority employee ownership survived the May 13, 2026 $4.0 billion recapitalization.
  • IMA’s enterprise AI adoption reached 95% daily associate usage by August 18, 2026.
  • National specialty practices in healthcare, global risk, and energy widen cross-sell depth.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Short-term Disability
  • Long-term Disability
  • Accident
  • 401(k) Company Match
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • Stock Purchase
  • Paid Time Off
  • Flexible Work Options

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

4%

1 year growth

10%

2 year growth

10%
Mile High CRE
Oct 13th, 2026
Downtown Denver Awards to honor six projects.

Downtown Denver Awards to honor six projects. The Downtown Denver Partnership has announced six projects that on November 12 will receive 2026 Downtown Denver Awards, recognizing developments, public spaces and events contributing to the vitality of the city's urban core. The organization also named Rob Cohen, chairman and CEO of Denver-headquartered IMA Financial Group, as this year's Legacy Award recipient. The awards recognize recent contributions to downtown Denver across investment, community connection, resilience and public life. Recipients were selected by a jury representing Denver's business, education and cultural communities. The six project honorees include: 16th Street Revitalization: Following 18 years of planning and three years of construction across five phases, Denver's iconic 16th Street reopened Oct. 4, 2025. The project revitalized the corridor from Market Street to Broadway, replacing deteriorating infrastructure and improving safety and mobility. The redesign also expanded the urban tree canopy, introduced interactive play features and reconfigured sidewalks and transit services to create a more accessible public space for residents, workers and visitors. Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Center for the Healing Arts: The 25,000-square-foot expansion builds on the legacy of Cleo Parker Robinson Dance while providing additional space for arts education, performances and community gatherings. The center serves as a neighborhood anchor, supporting creative careers, youth development and multigenerational participation while contributing to cultural and economic activity in Denver's urban core. Denver Central Library Renovation: The renovation of the Denver Central Library modernizes a key downtown institution with enhanced amenities and gathering spaces. Guided by community input and supported by the voter-approved Elevate Denver bond program, the project aims to provide a welcoming, equitable environment for learning, community engagement and access to services. Outside Days: Since its debut in 2024, the nationally recognized festival has expanded its footprint downtown, bringing together music, arts and the outdoor industry. The event attracted more than 50,000 attendees during its first two years, contributing to downtown activity and showcasing Denver's connection to outdoor recreation and culture. Populus Denver: The Populus hotel has earned national recognition, including a place on TIME's World's Greatest Places list and a MICHELIN Key. Billed as the country's first carbon-positive hotel, the property features an exterior inspired by Colorado's aspen trees. Developed on a previously underutilized quarter-acre site, the hotel demonstrates how distinctive architecture and investment can transform downtown properties. Historic Evans School: After sitting mostly vacant for more than 40 years, the historic Evans School has been revitalized through preservation and adaptive reuse. Businesses including Schoolyard Beer Garden and The Top Floor now anchor the property, creating a neighborhood gathering place and economic driver in the Golden Triangle. The redevelopment also demonstrates the potential of historic buildings to support renewed activity in downtown neighborhoods. Rob Cohen to receive Legacy Award. The Downtown Denver Partnership will present its 2026 Legacy Award to Cohen in recognition of his longstanding leadership and contributions to the city's urban core. Cohen, who also serves as the controlling owner of Denver Summit FC, has championed the role of businesses in supporting downtown vitality. Throughout his career, he has served on more than 20 nonprofit boards, including as board chair of the Downtown Denver Partnership, Visit Denver, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, and the Metro Denver Economic Development Corp. He also founded the Denver Sports Commission and remains active in the U.S. Olympic movement, helping bring major sporting events and national attention to Denver while generating economic activity and civic engagement. The Downtown Denver Awards Community Celebration is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 12, at Denver Union Station, where the six project recipients and Cohen will be recognized for their contributions to the city. Purchase tickets here. By Laura Brudzynski, president and CEO of Archway Communities Some of the most important affordable housing investments don't involve laying The American Subcontractors Association of Colorado (ASA Colorado) will host its 2026 Health & Safety Summit on Wednesday, November 11,

GlobeNewswire
Oct 8th, 2026
The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers elects Eric Leavitt as 2026/2027 Board Chair.

The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers elects Eric Leavitt as 2026/2027 Board Chair. WASHINGTON, DC, Oct. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers (The Council) is pleased to announce that Eric O. Leavitt, Executive Chairman and CEO of Leavitt Group (Cedar City, Utah), will serve as 2026/2027 Chair of the association's Board of Directors. Leavitt was elected Chair of the Board during The Council's 113th annual Insurance Leadership Forum last week in Colorado Springs. He succeeds John Howard, Vice Chairman of CRC Group. Leavitt will lead a team of Board Officers including newly elected Vice Chair J. Powell Brown of Brown & Brown (Daytona Beach, FL); Treasurer Mike Victorson of M3 Insurance (Madison, WI); and Secretary Jacqueline Roth of IMA Financial Group (Denver, CO). "As a Board Director and Officer, I've had the privilege of collaborating with the most respected leaders in brokerage firms around the world and leveraging their knowledge to help guide The Council's long-term strategy," said Leavitt. "Serving as Board Chair is another opportunity for me to support our member firms by helping The Council evolve and respond to market shifts, with its deep history and commitment to this industry as guiding principles." Founded in 1952, Leavitt Group operates more than 80 agencies and 290+ locations across 30+ states through a distinctive local co-ownership model. The firm ranks 15th among the largest privately held independent brokerages in the U.S. and first among the largest family-owned brokerages. Under Eric Leavitt's leadership, Leavitt Group has expanded its national footprint while preserving its focus on investment in people, collaboration, and long-term relationships. Earlier this year, Eric Leavitt was recognized for 35 years of service with The Leavitt Group. He has also been named a "CEO of the Year Honoree" by Utah Business Magazine. "Eric's thoughtful approach to leadership and his perspective on The Council's role within our industry have been invaluable to our Board and our association," said Joel Wood, President/CEO of The Council. "I want to thank John Howard for his guidance and dedication over the past year. Our team is looking forward to 2027 and building on the success we've seen for both The Council and The Council Foundation." The Council Foundation Board will also welcome newly elected directors and officers, effective Jan. 1, 2027. John Tallarida of Heffernan Group (Oakland, CA) will succeed Rob Cohen of IMA Financial Group as Foundation Board Chair. Nancy Mellard of CBIZ (Kansas City, MO) was elected Vice Chair, and Kate Armfield of The Baldwin Group (Leesburg, VA) was elected Treasurer. Joel Wood will continue to serve as Secretary of the Foundation Board. About The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers Founded in 1913 and based in Washington, D.C., The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers is the premier association for the top 150 commercial property & casualty insurance and employee benefits intermediaries worldwide. Council members are market leaders who annually place 90 percent of U.S. commercial P&C premiums and 70 percent of all employee benefits business. The Council's Government Affairs team represents our member firms with a strong, unified voice on Capitol Hill and within the regulatory space. CouncilPAC, The Council's political action committee, consistently maintains its position as the leading PAC in the insurance industry. In addition to providing best-in-class professional development resources and publishing Leader's Edge, an award-winning industry content platform, The Council hosts four annual leadership forums: Insurance Leadership Forum (ILF) and [www.ciab.com/meetings/leadership-forums/eblf/]Employee Benefits Leadership Forum (EBLF), gathering leading brokers, carriers, and strategic partners in the commercial P&C and EB sectors respectively; the Operations Leadership Forum (OLF), offering leadership development opportunities for C-suite brokerage executives; and the Legislative Summit, connecting Council members with key legislators on broader issues impacting our industry.

IMA Financial Group
Sep 8th, 2026
IMA Financial Group appoints National Healthcare Practice Director.

IMA Financial Group appoints National Healthcare Practice Director. Sep 8, 2026 Experienced healthcare leader advances IMA's focus on specialized risk strategies (Denver - September 8, 2026) IMA Financial Group, Inc., a North American insurance brokerage firm specializing in risk management, employee benefits, and investment advisory services, today announced that Krista Adamson, CIC, has been named National Healthcare Practice Director. In her new role, Adamson will lead the growth and development of IMA's national healthcare practice, bringing together healthcare expertise across the organization, strengthening carrier relationships and supporting teams as they serve healthcare clients and grow the practice. She will also focus on developing strategies and solutions that address evolving healthcare risks and further differentiate IMA in the marketplace. "Krista understands the unique pressures healthcare organizations face and what it takes to help leaders navigate them," said IMA Vice President and Specialty Practices Leader Cooper Cohen. "She brings a combination of technical expertise, strategic thinking and a genuine ability to connect with clients and teams. Her leadership will be an important asset as IMA continues to deepen its relationships across the healthcare industry." Adamson brings more than two decades of insurance experience, with a focus on healthcare since 2014. Before joining IMA, she spent 12 years with Alera Group, where she ultimately led the Property & Casualty practice for HealthSure. During her tenure, she helped expand the practice, develop healthcare-specific programs and service strategies, strengthen carrier partnerships, and build and mentor a team dedicated to serving healthcare clients. "I've seen firsthand how quickly the risk landscape is changing for healthcare organizations, from evolving property and casualty exposures to increasingly complex insurance markets," said Adamson. "Our opportunity is to bring together the depth of expertise across IMA and turn that perspective into practical strategies that help healthcare leaders make informed decisions, strengthen their risk programs and prepare for what's ahead." IMA's national healthcare practice delivers specialized risk and insurance solutions to organizations across the healthcare continuum, including hospitals and physician groups, senior living, behavioral health and home healthcare providers. The practice brings together clinical risk management, advanced analytics, claims advocacy and deep healthcare market expertise to help clients navigate complex exposures, make informed decisions and build more resilient organizations. Under Adamson's leadership, IMA is further positioned to build on its commitment to bringing specialized expertise and innovative risk strategies to healthcare organizations nationwide. About IMA Financial Group IMA Financial Group is an independent broker, defining the future of insurance through comprehensive and consultative risk and investment advisory services. A majority employee-owned and managed company, its 3,000-plus associates in offices across the country are empowered by a shared mission to manage risk, protect assets and make a difference. Media contacts. Kakie Atwell, VP Corporate Communications [email protected] Jessica Poulalier, Center Reach Communications [email protected]

Moody's
Aug 5th, 2026
Moody's assigns B3 rating to IMA Financial's $1.3B term loan refinancing

Moody's Ratings has assigned a B3 rating to IMA Financial Group's new senior secured credit facilities, comprising a $1.295 billion seven-year term loan and a $300 million five-year revolving credit facility. The company will use proceeds to repay existing debt and related expenses. The rating reflects IMA's regional presence as a middle market insurance broker serving the western and southwestern US, with good client and carrier diversification. However, these strengths are offset by high financial leverage and low interest coverage. For the 12 months through March 2026, IMA's pro forma financial leverage stood slightly above 7.5 times, with low interest and free cash flow coverage. The Denver-based company generated total revenue of $831 million during this period. IMA is majority owned by employees, with minority stakes held by three private equity firms.

IMA Financial Group
Aug 5th, 2026
IMA Financial Group appoints new leader for Washington Market.

IMA Financial Group appoints new leader for Washington Market. Aug 5, 2026 Longtime insurance leader Karen Schwartz to guide the firm's growth in the region (Seattle - August 5, 2026) IMA Financial Group, Inc., a North American insurance brokerage firm specializing in risk management, employee benefits, and investment advisory services, today announced that Karen Schwartz has been named Washington Market President, effective August 1. In her new role, Schwartz will lead IMA's Washington market strategy, focusing on strengthening collaboration across business lines, partnering with Property & Casualty and Employee Benefits teams and producers, and advancing growth initiatives while continuing to deliver exceptional outcomes for clients. Schwartz has played an important role in the success of IMA's Washington and broader Pacific Northwest teams, most recently leading the company's Employee Benefits business in the region. During her time with IMA, she has helped drive strong business results while fostering the collaborative culture that has contributed to continued growth and client retention. "Karen is a proven and highly respected leader who is already playing a key role in the success of our Washington and broader Pacific Northwest teams," said IMA West President Steve Brockmeyer. "During her time with IMA, she has delivered outstanding results while fostering the collaborative culture that has helped drive strong growth and retention. Her deep understanding of our clients, our people and our business makes her exceptionally well positioned to lead the Washington market." Schwartz brings nearly 15 years of insurance industry experience spanning client service, sales and executive leadership. She joined Parker, Smith & Feek, an IMA company, in 2020 and has played a key role in the continued growth of the firm's Employee Benefits business across the Pacific Northwest. Most recently, she served as Pacific Northwest Market Leader, Employee Benefits, leading more than 100 associates across Washington, Alaska and Hawaii. "I've always believed our industry is about finding thoughtful solutions that help organizations manage risk, achieve their goals and take care of their employees," said Schwartz. "As we continue to grow, my priority is to build on our collaborative culture, invest in our talented associates and deliver meaningful value for our clients." Schwartz's appointment marks the next chapter in IMA's continued evolution in the Pacific Northwest and reflects the firm's long-term commitment to the region. About IMA Financial Group IMA Financial Group is an independent broker, defining the future of insurance through comprehensive and consultative risk and investment advisory services. A majority employee-owned and managed company, its 3,000-plus associates in offices across the country are empowered by a shared mission to manage risk, protect assets and make a difference. Media contacts. Kakie Atwell, VP Corporate Communications [email protected] Jessica Poulalier, Center Reach Communications [email protected]