Marsh Advanced Risk Solutions: Practice Leader

Company:

Marsh

Description:

We are seeking a talented individual to join the Advisory division at Marsh. This role will be based in Sandton, hybrid and has a requirement of working at least three days a week in the office.

We are seeking an experienced, strategic leader to build, scale and raise the profile of Marsh Advanced Risk Solutions (MARS). The Head of MARS will be a subject-matter expert in captives, cell captives and contingency policies and will lead a team of consultants to deliver advanced risk finance and alternative risk transfer solutions across large and listed corporates. This role focuses on value to client, practice leadership, revenue generation, managing profitability, market positioning, capability building and delivering innovative solutions.

The role offers the opportunity to establish and lead an advanced risk solutions practice with regional impact, supported by access to Marsh’s multidisciplinary resources—actuarial, broking, strategy and claims - and strong sponsorship from senior leadership. You will also benefit from Marsh’s global network, extensive knowledge base and clear avenues for professional development and career growth.

We will count on you to:

Strategy & practice leadership

• Define and own the strategic direction and growth plan for Marsh Advanced Risk Solutions in Africa, including target segments, service offering roadmap (captives, cell captives, contingency, ART, parametrics, pooled solutions) and commercial model.

• Translate strategy into annual business plans, revenue targets and KPI scorecards; ensure alignment with broader Marsh/MRC goals.

• Develop, maintain and continuously improve the MARS operating model, processes and go-to-market playbook.

• Ensure Marsh positioning as a trusted adviser that delivers value through innovative solutions and superior service to clients.

Revenue growth & business development

• Create and sustain a consistent flow of new and expanded business opportunities through active pipeline management, cross-selling into Marsh broking and Risk Consulting clients, and by cultivating external relationships with CFOs, CROs, and boards.

• Build and execute large-account pursuit plans and commercial proposals; ensure alignment of pricing, capacity and risk appetite with underwriters and partners.

• Drive measurable practice revenue growth and profitability through renewals, new captive formations, contingency programmes and ART placements.

Thought leadership & market profile

• Raise the profile of MARS through thought leadership, industry events, webinars, client briefings, position Marsh as a premier advisor on advanced risk finance.

• Identify and develop signature solutions and propositions that differentiate the practice, drive exceptional value to clients, and unlock new markets/solutions.

Client & stakeholder ecosystem

• Own senior relationships with key clients, brokers, underwriters, reinsurers, professional advisors.

• Partner with Marsh broking, actuarial, strategy and claims teams to deliver integrated offerings and to ensure smooth handoffs between sales, delivery and governance.

• Partner with Global Marsh stakeholders to leverage learnings, best practices.

• Represent MARS in internal leadership forums and commercial negotiations.

People & capability

• Lead, recruit, develop and retain a high-performing team of Senior Consultants and consultants; set performance expectations, career paths and capability development plans.

• Establish a knowledge-management framework, best-practice templates and training to scale technical capability across the servicing teams.

• Sponsor mentorship programs and ensure effective transfer of skills to early careers colleagues.

Governance, risk & execution

• Ensure robust governance and quality assurance over captive structures, experience accounts, financial reporting, regulatory compliance and client deliverables.

• Oversee major client / market negotiations.

• Drive continuous improvement in delivery efficiency, tools and client reporting.

What you need to have:

• Minimum 10 years’ relevant experience in risk finance, captives, cell captives, contingency policies and alternative risk transfer; demonstrable experience with large, listed corporates.

• Proven track record of leading a team or practice and delivering revenue growth.

• Bachelor’s degree (BCom, Finance, Actuarial Science, Accounting, Law or similar) required; CA(SA) or other advanced professional qualification advantageous.

• Strong commercial experience in broking/placement, captive structuring, or insurance advisory with demonstrable negotiation experience with underwriters and reinsurers.

• Strong strategic thinking with proven ability to create, position and scale differentiated propositions.

• Commercial acumen: P&L mindfulness, pricing logic, and market-sensing capability.

• Deep technical expertise in captives, cell structures, experience accounts, contingency insurance and ART design.

• Comfortable reviewing actuarial output, financial statements and modelling the total cost of risk.

• Strong leadership presence; ability to influence senior internal and external stakeholders.

• Skilled at building high-performing teams, mentoring senior consultants and fostering a collaborative matrix environment.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; experienced public speaker and presenter.

• Able to convert technical concepts into compelling commercial narratives for C-suite and boards.

• Entrepreneurial, resilient and outcome oriented.

• High integrity, strong attention to detail and rigorous about governance.

• Comfortable with travel and working across multiple countries and time zones.

Why join our team:

• We help you be your best through professional development opportunities, interesting work and supportive leaders.

• We foster a vibrant and inclusive culture where you can work with talented colleagues to create new solutions and have impact for colleagues, clients and communities.

• Our scale enables us to provide a range of career opportunities, as well as benefits and rewards to enhance your well-being.

Marsh Risk is a business of Marsh (NYSE: MRSH), a global leader in risk, reinsurance and capital, people and investments, and management consulting, advising clients in 130 countries. With annual revenue of over $27 billion and more than 95,000 colleagues, Marsh helps build the confidence to thrive through the power of perspective. For more information about Marsh Risk, visit marsh.com, or follow us on LinkedIn and X.

Marsh is committed to embracing a diverse, inclusive and flexible work environment. We aim to attract and retain the best people and embrace diversity of age, background, disability, ethnic origin, family duties, gender orientation or expression, marital status, nationality, parental status, personal or social status, political affiliation, race, religion and beliefs, sex/gender, sexual orientation or expression, skin color, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are also committed to providing reasonable support to any candidate with a disability to allow them to fully participate in the recruitment process. We welcome candidates to contact us at [email protected] to discuss any specific needs.

Marsh is committed to hybrid work, which includes the flexibility of working remotely and the collaboration, connections and professional development benefits of working together in the office. All Marsh colleagues are expected to be in their local office or working onsite with clients at least three days per week. Office-based teams will identify at least one “anchor day” per week on which their full team will be together in person.