Head of Placement, Marsh Risk Germany

Company:

Marsh Risk

Description:

Head of Placement, Marsh Risk Germany

Executive leadership role: Translate and drive European Placement excellence across the German market

The Role

We seek a commercially minded Placement leader to drive the development and execution of the Placement strategy across Marsh Risk Germany, aligned with Global Placement and Marsh Europe priorities. Reporting to the Country CEO, with a dotted line to the Europe Placement Leader, you will be a member of the Marsh Risk Germany Executive Committee and will lead all German Placement activities, market strategy, carrier relationships, innovation and commercial performance.

The role will translate the European Placement operating model into a fit-for-purpose Germany model, ensuring that German clients benefit from the full strength of Marsh's regional and global carrier relationships, facilities, portfolio solutions, digital capabilities and specialist Placement expertise. At the same time, the role will provide Europe with market intelligence and German client and carrier insight to inform regional strategy.

Reporting & Leadership Context

The Head of Placement, Marsh Risk Germany reports to the Country CEO, with a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Europe Placement Leader, and is a member of the Marsh Risk Germany Executive Committee. The role is expected to operate as an integral part of the European Placement leadership model, balancing local accountability with regional alignment and collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

Placement Strategy & Market Leadership

• Develop and execute the Germany Placement strategy in alignment with Global Placement and Marsh Europe priorities, Germany's growth plans and go-to-market objectives.
• Translate the European Placement operating model into a fit-for-purpose Germany Placement model, including priorities for capability, resourcing, talent and investment.
• Monitor market, carrier and product developments and translate these into differentiated Placement strategies, solutions and competitive advantage for German clients.
• Drive Placement profitability, yield, innovation, efficiency and competitive positioning across all relevant lines of business.
• Identify and deploy relevant regional and global facilities, portfolio solutions, alternative Placement solutions and other differentiated market propositions in Germany.
• Drive adoption of relevant European Placement digital, data and operational capabilities to improve efficiency, quality and client outcomes.

Carrier & Market Relationships

• Own senior/C-level relationships with key German carriers and act as the primary escalation point for material market and Placement issues.
• Develop strong strategic relationships with regional and global carrier partners, in alignment with the Europe carrier strategy, to secure capacity, competitive terms and differentiated solutions for German clients.
• Establish effective engagement and governance plans with strategic carrier partners, including appropriate business planning, governance and review processes.
• Represent Marsh in carrier, client and relevant market forums, maintaining a credible voice on market developments, products, services and innovation.

Commercial Growth & Client Outcomes

• Partner with Large Corporate, Middle Market and Specialties leaders to embed a strong Placement-led sales culture and support profitable growth.
• Partner with country and segment leadership to develop Placement strategies that support business objectives and deliver differentiated client outcomes.
• Connect German clients and Placement teams to European and global expertise and capacity, particularly for complex, difficult-to-place and cross-border risks.
• Collaborate with Claims, Risk Consulting and other Marsh businesses to enhance integrated solutions and maximise client value.
• Work closely with ICG and relevant specialist teams to identify opportunities for alternative Placement solutions, including ART, Parametrics and other appropriate solutions.
• Partner with Global Clients and other relevant Placement leaders where appropriate to support European/global Facultative Placement strategies and maximise client benefit and yield.

Performance, Data & Governance

• Own Germany Placement performance management, including appropriate KPIs, market intelligence, yield and efficiency measures, and provide clear reporting to Germany and Europe leadership.
• Use Placement data and analytics to identify opportunities to improve strategy, portfolio performance, efficiency and commercial outcomes.
• Ensure that appropriate Placement controls, governance and quality standards are maintained to minimise E&O risk and leakage.
• Contribute German market insight, carrier intelligence and performance trends to European Placement strategy and decision-making.

People, Talent & Culture

• Build and lead a high-performing German Placement team with the skills, expertise and market connectivity required to deliver the Germany and European Placement agenda.
• Develop succession plans and career pathways for critical Placement talent, supporting mobility and the regional talent agenda.
• Coach and mentor colleagues and create an engaged, inclusive Placement community in Germany connected to the wider European Placement organisation.
• Create a client-focused, entrepreneurial and accountable culture consistent with Marsh McLennan and Marsh values.

Expected Outcomes

• Germany has a clear, commercially focused Placement strategy that is aligned with Global and European priorities and directly supports country growth objectives.
• Improved client outcomes through differentiated access to carrier capacity, facilities, portfolio solutions and specialist/global Placement capabilities.
• Stronger strategic carrier relationships and improved market access, leverage, competitiveness and yield.
• Improved Placement efficiency, digital adoption, data utilisation and execution quality.
• Effective integration of Germany into the European Placement model, with Germany both leveraging regional capabilities and contributing market insight back into Europe.
• High-quality Placement governance with strong controls, disciplined execution and minimised E&O risk and leakage.
• A strong, engaged and future-ready German Placement organisation, with visible talent development and succession.

Your Profile

Required Experience

• 10–15 years in the German insurance and reinsurance market.
• Minimum 5 years in senior leadership within insurance or insurance broking.
• Proven track record of building high-performing teams and delivering commercial results.
• Demonstrated experience managing senior/C-level carrier relationships in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Experience operating successfully in an international, European or global business context and across organisational boundaries.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with an understanding of insurance profitability, yield and risk dynamics.
• Experience working within a matrix organisation and influencing stakeholders across countries, segments and functions.

Key Capabilities & Attributes

• Deep commercial insurance and reinsurance expertise, with a comprehensive understanding of commercial lines and German and international market dynamics.
• Exceptional negotiation, influencing and communication skills, with the ability to build consensus and gain support across competing priorities.
• Strong executive presence and credibility with carriers, clients and internal leadership.
• Exceptional network in German and international insurance markets, with the ability to leverage that network strategically.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset, with a results-oriented approach and willingness to hold others accountable for high standards of performance.
• Credible understanding of current market, product, service and Placement innovation trends.
• Ability to work effectively across borders, segments and functions, with a highly collaborative mindset.
• Fluent German and English, with clear, direct and compelling communication skills.
• Highly organised, pragmatic and execution-focused, with disciplined project and stakeholder management.
• Growth-focused leader committed to identifying, developing and retaining top talent.

Marsh (NYSE: MRSH) is a global leader in risk, reinsurance and capital, people and investments, and management consulting, advising clients in 130 countries. With annual revenue of over $27 billion and more than 95,000 colleagues, Marsh helps build the confidence to thrive through the power of perspective. For more information, visit marsh.com, or follow us on LinkedIn and X.

Marsh is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and flexible work environment. We aim to attract and retain the best people and embrace diversity of age, background, disability, ethnic origin, family duties, gender orientation or expression, marital status, nationality, parental status, personal or social status, political affiliation, race, religion and beliefs, sex/gender, sexual orientation or expression, skin color, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Marsh offers hybrid working arrangements that provide both the flexibility of mobile working and the benefits for collaboration, personal connections and professional development of working in the office. Employees are authorized to work remotely. If needed, some teams also schedule weekly “anchor days” where the entire team meets in person at the site office.