Retail & Distribution Industry Leader

Role Overview:

Retail & Distribution (R&D) Industry Leader

This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for driving Willis’ strategic vision across the retail, wholesale and distribution sector. The R&D Industry Leader will serve as a key architect of growth, client service excellence, and investment strategy; working in close partnership with senior leaders across the organization to shape and execute our industry agenda.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & CollaborationChampion the firm’s industry strategy, aligning cross-functional teams and regional leaders to deliver on growth, client engagement, and innovation goals.Lead and inspire a high-performing team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous development.
• Community Building & Value PropositionCultivate and expand both internal and external communities of practice, reinforcing our position as a trusted advisor in the retail, wholesale and distribution space.Evolve and articulate our value proposition in the sector, ensuring it reflects market needs, emerging trends, and differentiated capabilities.Promote innovation as a core pillar—encouraging new ideas, solutions, and approaches that elevate client outcomes.
• Industry Engagement & Thought LeadershipSpearhead thought leadership initiatives, including:Industry newsletters and whitepapersSocial media campaigns and marketing collateralWebinars, seminars, and speaking engagementsAnnual conferences or symposiums—curating topics, speakers, and event strategyIndustry forums (. Client Advisory Boards) to foster dialogue and insight-sharing
• Commercial Impact & Client AdvocacyActively support business development through participation in RFPs, client meetings, and strategic pursuits.Partner with broking teams to ensure industry-leading coverage and policy terms tailored to client needs.Provide expert guidance on emerging risks, market dynamics, and service excellence to internal teams and clients.Promote Client Advocacy excellence through supporting account assignment decisions and engaging in client feedback loops for growth opportunities and improved engagement.
• Client Relationship ManagementBuild and deepen relationships with key industry stakeholders, including top-tier clients and a diverse portfolio across North America.Drive whitespace growth and new logo acquisition in alignment with Willis North America’s broader commercial strategy.
• Industry ExpertiseServe as a subject matter expert in the industry sector, with deep knowledge of sub-segments such as automotive, grocery, food distribution, personal care and apparel retail and/or wholesale and distribution.