Defence & Security Virtual Practice Growth Leader

Willis Towers Watson; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working options

Private healthcare

Life insurance

Group income protection

Pension scheme (10% matched)

Volunteer day

Electric vehicle car scheme

Share scheme

Cycle-to-work

Dental cover

Optical cover

Critical illness protection

Job summary

Willis Towers Watson is seeking a Defence & Security Virtual Practice Leader, based in London, to lead a UK-wide and global outward-facing practice. You will unite stakeholders, set strategy, and drive growth across government, defence, aerospace, security and critical infrastructure.

You will lead major business development opportunities, shape client propositions, and align UK priorities with international strategy while scaling the practice and embedding new ways of working.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience within Defence & Security, risk advisory, consulting, insurance, professional services or a related market.
• Experience developing and winning complex, high-value opportunities.
• Strong relationships with senior decision-makers across the sector.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and collaborate in a matrix environment.
• A strategic mindset with drive to deliver measurable outcomes.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and leadership skills.
• Experience in insurance, risk management, government, defence procurement, cyber, resilience, national security environments.

Responsibilities

• Map Defence & Security clients, opportunities and activity across the organisation, establishing clear priorities and aligned account plans.
• Drive adoption of the new practice model by securing stakeholder commitment and embedding consistent ways of working.
• Build and strengthen relationships with senior stakeholders across defence, government, security, aerospace and related industries.
• Identify emerging market trends, risks and opportunities and convert insight into commercial action.
• Personally lead major business development opportunities and complex client engagements, mobilising the right expertise at the right time.
• Create innovative client propositions by bringing together expertise across risk, insurance, advisory, analytics and capital solutions.
• Act as an executive sponsor for key strategic accounts and support long-term client retention and growth.
• Represent the organisation externally through industry events, thought leadership and professional networks.
• Collaborate with global sector leaders to ensure alignment between UK priorities and international strategy.
• Implement the governance, talent plan and commercial structure required to scale the practice.

Skills

Leadership

Strategy

Stakeholder mgmt

Business development

Relationships

Communication

Security/Defence industry

Job description

Willis Towers Watson is seeking a Defence & Security Virtual Practice Leader, based in London, to lead a UK-wide and global outward-facing practice. You will unite stakeholders, set strategy, and drive growth across government, defence, aerospace, security and critical infrastructure.

You will lead major business development opportunities, shape client propositions, and align UK priorities with international strategy while scaling the practice and embedding new ways of working.