Corporate risk management and commercial insurance brokerage require seasoned leadership capable of steering high-performance branches through complex regional markets. Aon is currently recruiting for a Head of Office – Corporate Risk to lead their Corporate risk team based out of the Leeds Embankment office. Positioned as a hybrid role offering flexibility between virtual work and office presence, this leadership opening combines strategic commercial management, external market positioning, and direct team development.
Evaluating this career opportunity means examining the operational scope, core governance responsibilities, leadership expectations, and the exact qualifications required to stand out in a competitive talent market.
Core Position Details
- Employer: Aon
- Role: Head of Office – Corporate Risk
- Location: Leeds, United Kingdom (Leeds Embankment Office)
- Working Structure: Hybrid model (combining virtual work and office presence)
- Team Focus: Corporate Risk and Commercial Insurance
Detailed Role Breakdown and Daily Expectations
The responsibilities of the Head of Office span branch-level strategic delivery, business planning, and local market representation. Aon emphasizes that decisions should protect and enrich client lives, making this leadership post central to both client advocacy and operational profitability.
1. Branch Strategy and Business Planning
You will lead the delivery of regional and national strategy at the branch level, working closely alongside the Regional Director to shape ongoing development. This requires developing and executing comprehensive branch business plans designed to drive performance, growth, and profitability across the entire Leeds office. Furthermore, you serve as the “face of Aon” locally, building a strong external profile that positions Aon as the broker of choice within the Yorkshire region.
2. Commercial and Financial Leadership
Financial governance and revenue tracking form a major pillar of the role. Responsibilities include:
- Driving revenue performance through forecasting, client profitability insights, and activity analysis to ensure risks are properly identified and managed.
- Embedding a consistent approach to client management, account planning, and service delivery across all internal teams.
- Building robust working relationships with external insurers and internal stakeholders, including Claims, Trade Credit, Premium Finance, and Operations.
- Ensuring stringent governance, full regulatory compliance, and accurate, timely invoicing.
3. People Leadership and Talent Development
As head of the branch, you are responsible for leading, coaching, and developing branch leadership teams to cultivate a high-performance culture. This involves building a strong talent pipeline complete with clear succession planning and ongoing professional development for key roles. Creating an inclusive, motivated, and collaborative environment aligned directly with Aon’s core values is essential.
4. Wider Business Contribution and Governance
Beyond individual branch metrics, you will support broader Commercial Insurance initiatives to drive growth and retention across Aon. Sharing best practices, raising Aon’s profile through local networking and market events, and maintaining an uncompromising compliance culture ensure all regulatory and internal standards are met.
Candidate Qualifications and Skills for Success
Aon looks for specific professional attributes that blend insurance expertise with executive leadership capability. To succeed in this role, candidates must demonstrate:
- Insurance Acumen: Broad insurance knowledge covering the market landscape, Aon’s specific suite of solutions, and complex client risk exposures.
- Leadership Track Record: Strong leadership skills accompanied by a proven ability to motivate, develop, and manage high-performing teams.
- Client Relationship Management: Demonstrated success managing relationships with mid-market and large corporate clients.
- Commercial Astuteness: High commercial awareness paired with a deep understanding of market dynamics and profitability drivers.
Strategic Roadmap to Win the Role
Securing a senior leadership role at a global firm like Aon requires a targeted approach to your application and interview preparation:
1. Optimize Your CV for Commercial Risk Leadership
Ensure your resume highlights large-scale P&L management, branch leadership, and strategic account planning within the insurance or corporate risk sectors. Quantify your achievements by detailing how you grew regional portfolios, managed insurer relationships, or improved operational retention rates.
2. Prepare for Scenario-Based Leadership Questions
Expect interview panels to evaluate your crisis management, team motivation, and strategic growth capabilities. Prepare to answer questions addressing:
- Market Positioning: How you would enhance Aon’s local profile in a competitive regional hub like Leeds against rival brokerages.
- Stakeholder Alignment: How you manage friction between internal operations, claims teams, and external insurance underwriters to deliver seamless client service.
- Talent Retention: Your specific philosophy on building succession plans and coaching middle management in a hybrid work environment.
3. Leverage the Hybrid Structure
Understand that while the role provides the flexibility of hybrid working, it demands active physical and virtual presence to lead the Leeds Embankment office effectively. Emphasize your capability to manage distributed teams while maintaining a strong local community footprint.
Source: Aon Corporation
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