Lead Strategy Associate / Strategy Associate

Markel; Richmond (VA); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Markel in Richmond is seeking a Lead Strategy Associate to join our Strategy team. You will report to the Director of Strategy and work with senior leaders to shape Markel’s strategic direction and support execution of key initiatives.

You’ll conduct market research, develop insights, and prepare executive-ready presentations for the CEO, ELT, and Board. This role offers high visibility and cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in management consulting or similar in-house role
• Strong structured problem-solving skills
• Strong communications skills
• Team player with cross-functional collaboration
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams
• Results-oriented with growth mindset and insurance industry familiarity a plus
• Financial modeling and Excel proficiency
• Bachelor's degree in business, economics, finance, or related field

Responsibilities

• Contribute to development of Markel Insurance's overall strategy
• Conduct market research, macro-trend monitoring, and competitive intelligence
• Support business partners on product, growth, operational, and organizational topics
• Prepare executive-ready presentations for the CEO, ELT, Board, and senior stakeholders
• Assist corporate development activities including opportunities review and market scans
• Drive cross-functional strategic initiatives with underwriting, operations, finance, and technology
• Build relationships with business leaders to challenge assumptions and provide data-driven insight
• Provide timely, accurate support for strategic questions from senior executives

Skills

Management consulting

Problem solving

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Multi-tasking

Financial modeling

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, economics, finance

Job description

What part will you play? If you’re looking for a place where you can make a meaningful difference, you’ve found it.

The work we do at Markel gives people the confidence to move forward and seize opportunities, and you’ll find your fit amongst our global community of optimists and problem-solvers. We’re always pushing each other to go further because we believe that when we realize our potential, we can help others reach theirs.Join us and play your part in something special!Join Markel at a time of transformation and become part of a high-impact team shaping enterprise strategy and supporting critical decision-making!

We’relooking for aLead Strategy Associate/ Strategy Associateto join our Richmond‑based Strategy team. In this role, you willreport to theDirector of Strategyandwork closely with the Chief Strategy & Corporate Development Officer. You willpartner directly with senior business leaders—including the Insurance CEO, division presidents, and functional heads to help define Markel’s strategic direction and support execution of key initiatives.

You’llcontribute fresh thinking, structured analysis, and insight to some of the most important questions facing the organization. This is a rare opportunity to gain meaningful exposure across the enterprise while developing strong problem‑solving, financial, and communication skills in a fast‑moving, entrepreneurial environment.

WhatYou’llBe Doing

• Contributing to continuous development of the overall strategy for Markel Insurance
• Conducting market research, macro‑trend monitoring, and competitive intelligence to help keep senior leadership informed on industry developments and competitor activity.
• Supporting business partners on a broad range of business‑critical topics, from product and growth strategies to operational and organizational challenges and opportunities
• Assistingin the preparation of executive‑ready presentations for the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, Board of Directors, and other senior stakeholders.
• Supporting corporate development activities ,including preliminary reviews of acquisition opportunities, market scans, and analytical support across thedeallifecycle.
• Helping drive cross‑functional strategic initiatives , partnering closely with teams across underwriting, operations, finance, and technology.
• Building strong relationships with business leaders to support strategy development, challenge assumptions, and bring data‑driven insight to help them grow their business
• Providingtimely,accuratesupport for ad‑hoc strategic questions from the Chief Strategy & Corporate Development Officer, Insurance CEO, and senior executives.

WhatWe’reLooking For

• Relevant experience: 2+years experiencein management consulting or similar in-house role (experience in insurance is a plus, notamust)
• Problem solving ability: Strong structured problem‑solving skills,with the ability to break complex issues into logical components and develop clear recommendations.
• Strong communicationskills : Comfortable engaging with senior leaders,craft compelling narrativesand able to effectively challenge the status quo to shift the way of thinking
• Team player :Demonstratedcollaborative ability, both within immediate team and wider company. Ability tobuild relationships across functions.
• Ability tomanage multiple workstreams :Ability to run multiple efforts simultaneously, prioritize effectively, andmaintainaflexible, solutions‑oriented mindset.
• Results-oriented growth mindset : Intellectually curious, goals-driven,motivatedanda proactive approach to learning both the insurance industry
• Financial Acumen :Strongfinancial modeling and analytical skills,with highproficiencyin Excel.
• Education :Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, finance, ora relatedfield.

#LI-SY

#LI-Hybrid

Job level and title offered to the successful candidate will be commensurate with experience, specialized skills relevant to the role, and possession of the outlined preferred qualifications. Markel reserves the right to propose an alternative career level based on these factors.

US Work Authorization

US Work Authorization required. Markel does not provide visa sponsorship for this position, now or in the future.

Who we are:

Markel Group (NYSE – MKL) a fortune 500 company with over 60 offices in 20+ countries, is a holding company for insurance, reinsurance, specialist advisory and investment operations around the world.

We’re all about people | We win together | We strive for better

We enjoy the everyday | We think further

What’s in it for you:

In keeping with the values of the Markel Style, we strive to support our employees in living their lives to the fullest at home and at work.

• We offer competitive benefit programs that help meet our diverse and changing environment as well as support our employees’ needs at all stages of life.
• All full-time employees have the option to select from multiple health, dental and vision insurance plan options and optional life, disability, and AD&D insurance.
• We also offer a 401(k) with employer match contributions, an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, PTO, corporate holidays and floating holidays, parental leave.

Are you ready to play your part?

Markel is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of any protected characteristic. This includes race; color; sex; religion; creed; national origin or place of birth; ancestry; age; disability; affectional or sexual orientation; gender expression or identity; genetic information, sickle cell trait, or atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait; refusal to submit to genetic tests or make genetic test results available; medical condition; citizenship status; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, familial status, or family responsibilities; military or veteran status, including unfavorable discharge from military service; personal appearance, height, or weight; matriculation or political affiliation; expunged juvenile records; arrest and court records where prohibited by applicable law; status as a victim of domestic or sexual violence; public assistance status; order of protection status; status as a smoker or nonsmoker; membership or activity in local commissions; the use or nonuse of lawful products off employer premises during non-work hours; declining to attend meetings or participate in communications about religious or political matters; or any other classification protected by applicable law.