Chief Operating Officer

Position Summary

The SVP, COO of Ryan Alternative Risk is responsible for developing the vision, strategy, and capabilities needed to enable and support revenue growth, drive operational excellence, and mitigate risks across the enterprise. In this role, reporting to the Ryan Alternative Risk CEO and President and working with the Ryan Specialty COO, she/he will be a thought leader and champion for change, lead all Operations teams, and play an active role in the firm’s governance.

What will your job entail?

Location:

Chicago, IL

Essential Functions:

Strategy & Planning

• Support the Ryan Alternative Risk CEO in developing the strategy and a business plan needed to deliver outcomes for Ryan Alternative Risk while ensuring alignment with overall company goals and objectives.
• Establish investment priorities that consider financial and people constraints while balancing longer range enterprise goals with near-term Ryan Alternative Risk priorities and communicate to leaders.
• Develop execution roadmaps focused on driving growth and annual productivity improvements while reducing risk.
• Monitor the external landscape, evaluating the capabilities of competitors and other market participants, to support strategy development and decision making.
• Establish regular business and operations reviews to monitor progress, address escalated issues, and make required trade-off decisions as needs change during the year.

Operations: 

• Drive the implementation of Ryan Alternative Risk operating model priorities including strategic programs and more routine capabilities required to support growth, drive efficiency, and manage risk.
• Design and lead all carrier (and other designated trading partners) interactions including those that enable digitization and further integration of IT and operations.
• Expand the usage of Business Shared Services to capture economies of scope and scale.
• Drive lean processes and deliver automation to improve productivity and quality.
• Lead post-close integration planning and execution to ensure all acquisitions are fully integrated within 12 months of closing and deliver the expected synergies.
• Ensure adequate BCDR plans are implemented to provide for continuity and resiliency of Ryan Alternative Risk operations.
• Drive ongoing improvement planning and execution.

Technology

• Develop an IT strategy that is scalable, cost-effective, and addresses the commercial needs of the organization.
• Assess and prioritize technology investments, including the implementation of new capabilities and upgrades of legacy systems.
• Partner with infrastructure, information security and data leaders to align RAR applications and enterprise technology functions.
• Lead technology integration efforts working closely with Corporate Development and other corporate functions.
• Drive the implementation of best-in-class technology solutions, including the use of AI and automation tools.
• Ensure the technology environment is secure and meets all regulatory and compliance requirements.

Organization, Management, and Reporting

• Build out the Ryan Alternative Risk operations organization including identifying, cultivating, and retaining key talent while monitoring people engagement and results.
• Oversee and manage resource demand, capacity, and Ryan Alternative Risk operations budgets.
• Establish service levels, metrics, and KPIs to measure performance and compliance with enterprise and Ryan Alternative Risk standards and controls.
• Play an active role in the governance of Ryan Alternative Risk working within the parameters of the firm’s overall governance model.
• Deliver a positive customer service experience to all internal, external, current, and prospective customers and stakeholders.

Education/Experience/Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 15 years of experience in a senior leadership role within insurance or insurance brokerage.
• Experience developing vision, establishing direction, and building commitment across the enterprise.
• Experience with and successful implementation of business transformation programs.
• Able to attract and retain talent as well as motivate in a collaborative but maturing operations environment.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate interpersonally with individuals and groups as well as strong client and stakeholder management skills.
• Significant M&A integration experience. 
• Substantial experience leading lean process improvement and with intelligent automation. Broad and deep operations and technology experience.

• Qualifications & Competencies

• Decisive and persuasive with a bias for action.
• Proven initiative-taker, critical thinker, and strong communicator.
• Creative thinker who is always looking at macro changes in the industry and economy.
• High EQ that builds loyalty with all constituents.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Background in managing operations and ability to lead effective change management.
• Collaborative and ability to manage opposing perspectives.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong conceptual skills.
• Ability to "stand up and be counted" with strength to push back.
• Able to lead and manage a highly talented team.

Ryan Specialty is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building and sustaining a diverse workforce throughout the organization. Our vision is an inclusive and equitable workplace where all employees are valued for and evaluated on their performance and contributions. Differences in race, creed, color, religious beliefs, physical or mental capabilities, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, and many other characteristics bring together varied perspectives and add value to the service we provide our clients, trading partners, and communities. This policy extends to all aspects of our employment practices, including but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, discipline, firing, promoting, transferring, compensation, benefits, training, leaves of absence, and other terms, conditions, and benefits of employment.

How We Support Our Teammates

Ryan Specialty seeks to offer our employees a comprehensive and best-in-class benefits package that helps them — and their family members — achieve their physical, financial, and emotional well-being goals. In addition to paid time off for company holidays, vacation, sick and personal days, Ryan offers paid parental leave, mental health services and more.

The target salary range for this position is $240,000.00 - $300,000.00 annually.

The wage range for this role considers many factors, such as training, transferable skills, work experience, licensure and certification, business needs, and market demands. The pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. Full-time roles are eligible for bonuses and benefits. For additional information on Ryan Specialty Total Rewards, visit our website https://benefits.ryansg.com/.

We provide individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment in accordance with applicable law. Please contact us to request an accommodation at [email protected]

The above is intended to describe this job's general requirements. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.