Account Executive - Retail, Leisure and Hospitality

Willis Towers Watson; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global advisory firm is seeking an experienced Account Executive for its Retail, Leisure & Hospitality Practice. The role involves managing a portfolio of complex, high-value clients and providing tailored risk-management solutions. Candidates should possess strong relationship-building skills, technical insurance knowledge, and be educated to degree level with relevant professional qualifications. This position is based in London and offers a hybrid working model.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of account development and appropriate tools.
• Strong knowledge of annual renewal-cycle responsibilities and project-management skills.
• Relevant industry/sector experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of Retail, L&H clients, requiring tailored risk-management solutions.
• Support the sales process to develop prospects and new business.
• Deliver excellent client service following WTW policies and procedures.
• Ensure transparency of commitments to markets and clients.

Skills

Client relationship management

Business development

Excellent communication skills

Technical insurance knowledge

Negotiation skills

Project management

Strong influencing skills

Education

Degree level education

Professional qualification of ACII or similar

Job description

We are seeking an experienced, growth-focused Account Executive to join our Retail, Leisure & Hospitality (L&H) Practice. As an Account Executive, you will manage a portfolio of Retail, L&H clients that include complex, high‑value accounts requiring tailored risk‑management solutions. This role offers the opportunity to join a large and diverse team of professionals working collaboratively toward a common goal with a focus on knowledge growth and personal development. We are seeking motivated candidates to help support our continued success. This role is based in our London office and will be offered on a hybrid basis.

Client Relationship Management

• Understand your clients' business and their risk‑management needs.
• Provide technical, industry and subject‑matter expertise where required.
• Access and deploy expertise within specialist technical teams.
• Build strong client relationships based on trust.
• Work with the service team to deliver optimum structure, price and placement strategies.
• Grow the existing portfolio by identifying new opportunities from existing accounts.
• Work in collaboration with and provide direction to the CSE service team.

Business Development

• Support the sales process to develop prospects and new business.
• Actively identify opportunities for account penetration and cross‑selling.
• Maintain a detailed knowledge of products and services offered.
• Network with other BUs and with external specialists.

Placement Management

• Maintain strong working relationships with market contacts and the WTW Broking Team.
• Ensure transparency of agency and other commitments made to markets and clients.
• Ensure compliant processing of contracts as per FCA and contract‑certainty requirements.
• Check market presentations, client documentation and policy coverage as appropriate.
• Support programme and pricing structures to best meet client needs.

Operational and Service Delivery

• Deliver excellent client service, adhering to WTW policies, procedures and service standards.
• Support the BU in budgeting, forecasting and tracking of revenue.
• Support solutions and proposals for clients to ensure optimum client retention rates.
• Develop annual client service plans.
• Support the management of KPIs/SLAs to ensure targets are met.
• Provide feedback on corrective action required to retain clients or enhance process performance, actively supporting the implementation of any actions that are put in place.
• Extensive knowledge of account development and appropriate tools.
• Strong knowledge of annual renewal‑cycle responsibilities and ability to project manage the renewal process in conjunction with Account Directors and other servicing team members.
• Excellent technical insurance knowledge across all major classes.
• Relevant industry/sector experience preferred.
• Skilled at building relationships with clients, prospects, associates and external specialists.
• Ability to represent the practice and WTW with integrity.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Preferably educated to a degree level with professional qualifications of ACII or similar.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of account development and appropriate tools.
• Strong knowledge of annual renewal‑cycle responsibilities and project‑management skills.
• Excellent technical insurance knowledge across all major classes.
• Relevant industry/sector experience preferred.
• Ability to build strong professional relationships with clients, prospects, associates and external specialists.
• Strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills.
• IMODegree or professional qualification in ACII or similar preferred.

At WTW, we believe difference makes us stronger. We want our workforce to reflect the different and varied markets we operate in and to build a culture of inclusivity that makes colleagues feel welcome, valued and empowered to bring their whole selves to work every day. We are an equal‑opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive work environment throughout our organisation. We embrace all types of diversity.