Client Advocate

Job Description

The Surety Client Advocate oversees all account management activities to reach strategic client service, retention and sales objectives. In this role you will work closely with the other members of the client service and broking teams to ensure the needs of the clients are met or exceeded for all client deliverables.

Note: Employment-based non-immigrant visa sponsorship and/or assistance is not offered for this specific job opportunity.

The Role

• Establish comprehensive understanding of client's businesses and objectives
• Provide continuous, exceptional client service
• Manage a book of business, with expectations to grow the book year-over-year
• Build and maintain client relationships; communicate with client decision makers and surety personnel
• Develop program design and negotiate terms and conditions for clients
• Assist in the preparation of client submissions
• Identify and engage expert resources
• Identify, compile and manage information regarding account renewal and cross-sell opportunities
• Review contracts and bond forms to ensure alignment of obligations
• Lead pricing and client profitability efforts
• Manage all client deliverables and delivery within mandated timeframes
• Lead and mentor account team members
• Provide direction and client management to both the servicing and broking teams
• Maintain regular contact with existing clients to ensure quality service is being delivered; accountable for client retention
• Responsible for coordination/ oversight / delivery of all services, thought leadership, marketing content and events
• Develop or contribute to new business opportunities
• Design individual prospect sales strategies and develop growth pipelines
• Resolve client, surety and/or vendor accounting issues, including fee agreements, billing contracts, discrepancies and collections

Qualifications

The Requirements

• 5+ years of surety related and client management experience
• Surety industry experience including program management of small to large contractors and commercial surety programs
• Strong technical knowledge of product area and industry
• Ability to provide consultation and expert advice to management on risk management issues
• Customer and relationship management focus
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Interpersonal skills, including relationship-building with clients and co-workers
• Negotiation skills including the ability to drive conflict resolution and secure concessions without damaging relationships
• Demonstrate organizational leadership and influence with practice groups, COEs and other Willis Towers Watson broking resources
• Ability to work independently and self-motivated
• Ability to work in a team setting
• Ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment
• Strong customer service skills
• Strong presentation skills
• Must successfully complete appropriate licensing exam(s) and/or maintain required licensing by through required Continuing Education. If already licensed, must be able to show valid confirmation of current licensing status.
• Surety industry designations preferred but not required (AFSB)

This position will remain posted for a minimum of three business days from the date posted or until sufficient/appropriate candidate slate has been identified.

Compensation and Benefits

Base salary range and benefits information for this position are being included in accordance with requirements of various state/local pay transparency legislation. Please note that salaries may vary for different individuals in the same role based on several factors, including but not limited to location of the role, individual competencies, education/professional certifications, qualifications/experience, performance in the role and potential for revenue generation (Producer roles only).

Compensation

The base salary compensation range being offered for this role is $140,000.00-$225, 000.00 USD annually.

This role is also eligible for an annual short-term incentive bonus.

Company Benefits

WTW provides a competitive benefit package which includes the following (eligibility requirements apply):

• Health and Welfare Benefits: Medical (including prescription coverage), Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account, Commuter Account, Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Group Accident, Group Critical Illness, Life Insurance, AD&D, Group Legal, Identify Theft Protection, Wellbeing Program and Work/Life Resources (including Employee Assistance Program)
• Leave Benefits: Paid Holidays, Annual Paid Time Off (includes state/local paid leave where required), Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Other Leaves (e.g., Bereavement, FMLA, ADA, Jury Duty, Military Leave, and Parental and Adoption Leave), Paid Time Off (only included for Washington roles)
• Retirement Benefits: Qualified contributory pension plan (if eligible) and 401(k) plan with annual nonelective company contribution. Non-qualified retirement plans available to senior level colleagues who satisfy the plans' eligibility requirements.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

At WTW, we trust you to know your work and the people, tools and environment you need to be successful. The majority of our colleagues work in a "hybrid" style, with a mix of remote, in-person and in-office interactions dependent on the needs of the team, role and clients. Our flexibility is rooted in trust and "hybrid" is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

We understand flexibility is key to supporting an inclusive and diverse workforce and so we encourage requests for all types of flexible working as well as location-based arrangements. Please speak to your recruiter to discuss more.

EOE, including disability/vets