Industry Practice Leader

PMA Companies; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

PMA Companies is seeking an Industry Practice Leader to build and expand a specialized insurance practice across sectors such as Education, Manufacturing, and Healthcare.

This role requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and deep expertise in insurance. The ideal candidate will have over a decade of experience and a proven record in managing client relationships and developing high-performing teams.

Qualifications

• 10-15+ years of progressive experience in the insurance industry.
• At least 5 years in leadership roles in the insurance sector.
• Deep expertise in one key vertical like Healthcare or Manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead a multi-year strategic plan for the industry practice.
• Monitor emerging trends and regulatory developments.
• Collaborate with product, analytics, and technology teams.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Insurance expertise

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree (MBA, JD, CPCU, ARM)

Job description

The Industry Practice Leader will be responsible for building, leading, and expanding a specialized insurance practice across key verticals such as Education, Manufacturing, Healthcare, and Social Services. This role blends deep market expertise with leadership in underwriting strategy, portfolio performance, product innovation, and client engagement.

Reporting directly to executive leadership, the Practice Leader drives growth, profitability, and market differentiation by delivering industry insights, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and cultivating high‑impact client relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and lead a multi‑year strategic plan to design an industry practice aligned with corporate business goals.
• Lead the design and implementation of tactical initiatives to build the practice.
• Monitor emerging trends, regulatory developments, and risk exposures specific to the industry focus areas.
• Act as the "face" of the practice internally and externally, driving thought leadership and representing the firm at industry events and conferences.
• Support the achievement of planned goals (Profit, Growth, rate etc) for the industry portfolio across lines of business and regions.
• Set underwriting appetite, pricing strategy, and risk selection criteria in collaboration with product, underwriting and actuarial teams.
• Evaluate performance across key KPIs (loss ratio, retention, growth) and take corrective action as needed.
• Serve as executive sponsor for top‑tier broker and client relationships for the industry verticals
• Support field and distribution teams on major account pursuits and renewals.
• Lead development of industry‑specific collateral, pitch strategies, and client engagement tools.
• Collaborate with product, analytics, and technology teams to develop tailored coverage solutions and service offerings.
• Lead ideation and deployment of new products or enhancements aligned with industry needs (e.g., embedded solutions, digital distribution, parametric triggers).
• Support development and rollout of training, underwriting guidelines, and marketing strategies.
• Build, mentor, and develop a high‑performing team of underwriters and specialists aligned to the industry practice.
• Drive Industry initiatives across the various functions (Loss Control, claims, Underwriting etc.)
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
• Drive knowledge‑sharing and continuous development across field and headquarters staff.
• Demonstrate commitment to Company's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and apply knowledge of compliance policies and procedures, standards and laws applicable to job responsibilities in the performance of work.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree (MBA, JD, CPCU, ARM) preferred.
• 10-15+ years of progressive experience in the insurance industry, with at least 5 years in leadership roles.
• Demonstrated success managing an industry‑focused underwriting portfolio, practice line, or business unit.
• Deep subject matter expertise in at least one key vertical (e.g., Healthcare, Manufacturing etc.) or commercial insurance.
• Strong knowledge of commercial P&C insurance products, services, and risk management solutions.
• Familiarity with regulatory, legal, and operational trends within the relevant industry.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic business plans, manage P&L, and lead cross‑functional initiatives.
• Ability to drive cross functional teams to meet business objectives.
• Excellent communication and influence skills, including C‑suite level engagement and industry presentations.
• Experience leading and developing high‑performing teams in matrixed or national organizations.