Chief Operating Officer

RHH202019

Benefits/ Insurance

THE COMPANY

Our client is a privately owned benefits brokerage firm with expertise in the design, administration, and funding of employee benefit plans. (This is the business’ major focus for revenue and opening doors to opportunity) In addition, they provide individual financial, estate, investment, life insurance planning, and buy-sell planning for business owners. In operation for over thirty years and located in the metropolitan Detroit area, this highly professional organization works with owners, CFOs, HR professionals, and other industry partners. They strive to provide a level of service that exceeds clients’ expectations with accountability, authenticity, integrity, and respect. The team is united by shared values and a strong client focus.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Our client is looking for an experienced industry professional that will play an integral part in growing the firm. The COO will be both a tactical and strategic leader overseeing all operations and leading the execution of strategy. They will collaborate with the owner to create and implement the firm’s vision and a strong culture based on empowerment, inclusivity, strong work ethic, and values. The COO will organize, optimize, and manage the firm in order to help support its continued growth by standardizing processes, procedures, and systems. Working collaboratively with the team they will develop best practices and maximize efficiency to serve clients exceptionally well and get work done. They will prioritize the development of talent and will create an environment that fosters and encourages innovation. This is an opportunity for autonomy, professional growth, performance-based bonuses for meeting targets and to have a major impact on an already successful organization.

This position reports to the owner and has three direct reports.

JOB DEFINITION

The COO will ensure the firm is run effectively and focus on improving the value they deliver to clients. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in the employee benefits industry having worked their way up through the ranks to the executive level. They will offer a compelling package of strategy, leadership, communication, financial, technology, and administrative skills. A results-oriented proactive solutions provider, they will be innovative, strategic, and be able to manage immediate details as well as the longer-term big picture. They will be hardworking, energetic, engaging, and people oriented.

SKILLS

The COO will oversee all operations and lead the execution of the firm’s strategy.
Build and maintain trusting relationships with customers, clients, and employees.
Optimize the firm’s ability to grow by optimizing its systems, processes, people, and overall execution capabilities.
Advise the owner and team using industry knowledge, interpretation, and application of laws, regulations, firm policies ensuring the use of best business practices and ethics.
Demonstrate leadership by motivating and holding themselves and the team accountable.
Learn and capitalize on employees’ strengths, supporting them in growth and achieving personal and professional goals.
Be a change-agent charged by championing the development of internal systems and operational discipline.
Create and monitor goals, strategies, and metrics to facilitate meeting firm objectives.
Outline firm structure with clearly defined roles and responsibilities.
Develop productive communication norms.
Manage physical assets, proprietary intellectual property, and technology to deliver services effectively and efficiently.
Create departmental budgets and help the owner to hold team members accountable to metrics.
Support sales, marketing, and customer management.
Expand the firm’s capacity in order to facilitate growth.
Clearly communicate expectations to fellow team members.
Partner with the owner to develop an investment budget for investment capital.
Help manage capital investment and expenses to ensure the firm achieves target goals of growth, retention, and profitability.
Provide accurate and timely information to help make appropriate decisions.
Effectively attract, recruit, train, and manage the performance and retention of employees building the firm’s talent base.
Recommend to the owner the necessary staffing, skills, and amount of support required.
Be current on all industry and market trends as well as ongoing technological advances.

BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE

Minimum of five years of insurance brokerage leadership and management.
Proficient in the practice, policies, and procedures of the brokerage industry.
Knowledge of the distinctive characteristics of service operations management.
Business acumen.
A high degree of initiative, ownership, and problem-solving skills.
Superior written and oral communication skills.
High level of organizational skills.
Experience in strategic planning.
Possesses a strong work ethic.
Be coachable and able to handle change, pressure, and constructive criticism.
Ability to take independent action and make sound decisions.
Egoless leadership.
Have high energy and a positive attitude.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
Be an approachable active listener with a willingness to learn.
Humble and emotionally intelligent.
Flexible and able to pivot when necessary to respond to client needs.
A sense of humor.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree preferably in business, finance, or management.
MBA preferred

If you have these qualifications and are looking for a challenging career, please submit your Resume using the button below.

Todd Hohauser

CEO and Lead Consultant

Kate Scott

Director, Executive Recruitment