Chief Operating Officer, Totalis Speciality Group
- Location
- Chicago, IL
- Work type
- Full Time · Hybrid
- Posted
- 2026-09-09
Job description
Chief Operating Officer, Totalis Specialty Group
Ready to develop the future of a newly combined specialty underwriting business? Do you thrive at the intersection of strategy, operations and transformation?
If you're an experienced operational leader looking to build, scale and optimise a high-growth business, we'd love to hear from you!
This role can be based in either Eastern or Central US locations, and offers flexibility in line with Aon's Smart Working policy, with the ability to work both virtually and from an Aon office location.
Aon is in the business of better decisions
At Aon, we shape decisions for the better to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world.
As an organization, we are united through trust as one inclusive team and we are passionate about helping our colleagues and clients succeed.
Our Totalis Specialty Group combines specialty underwriting, program administration, distribution, technology and data capabilities to support brokers, carriers and clients, and it’s launch reflects our commitment to creating more connected and scalable solutions across our Risk Capital business.
What the day will look like
As the North America Totalis Chief Operating Officer, you will play a pivotal leadership role in bringing together Aon's Affinity Programs and MGA business and Totalis Program Underwriters into a unified specialty underwriting and programs platform. Working closely with senior corporate and functional leaders, you will lead the operating strategy. You will also be responsible for transformation initiatives and build scalable foundations to support future growth.
You will:
Develop and implement a multi-year operational strategy aligned to growth, profitability, client experience and risk objectives.
Build, implement and continuously improve the operating model across people, processes, technology and third-party partners.
Partner with business, technology, finance, risk and compliance leaders to drive operational excellence and simplify ways of working.
Lead large-scale transformation, integration and change initiatives, including launch readiness, operating model transitions and technology governance.
Support acquisition integration, new programme launches and future platform expansion opportunities.
Drive performance through governance, service level adoption, automation and operational efficiency initiatives.
Lead all aspects of operational reporting, risk management and control frameworks to support business resilience and regulatory compliance.
Build and develop high-performing teams, crafting an inclusive culture centred on accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
How this opportunity is different
This is a rare opportunity to help define the future operating model of a newly combined specialty underwriting and programmes business, at the heart of Aon’s growth ambitions to be the leading insurance advisor.
You'll join at a formative stage, influencing how two complementary businesses come together to create a larger, more connected platform for clients, brokers and carrier partners. You will work directly with senior business leaders and enterprise functions to shape strategy, integration priorities and operational excellence initiatives.
This role offers the opportunity to:
Help build a newly combined business from the ground up.
Influence key decisions on governance, technology, service delivery and organisational design.
Lead significant transformation and integration activity with visible executive sponsorship.
Create a scalable operational platform that supports long-term growth across North America and beyond.
Work across a broad collaborator network including business leadership, technology, finance, compliance, risk and operations teams.
Skills and experience that will lead to success
Significant experience leading operations, transformation, shared services or business execution within a large, sophisticated organisation.
Strong commercial and financial savvy, including experience running budgets, investment priorities and operational performance.
Track record of translating business strategy into scalable operating models and measurable outcomes.
Experience leading large-scale business transformation, integration, process redesign or technology-enabled change programmes.
Exceptional leadership, collaborator management and influencing skills, with the ability to build alignment across senior executive audiences.
Experience leveraging technology, automation, data and AI-enabled capabilities to improve operational efficiency, scalability and business performance.
Experience within the MGA space and digital distribution of insurance programmes to clients, with an understanding of the operational, technology and partner ecosystems that support growth.
Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
The salary range for this position (intended for U.S. applicants) is $310,000 to $400,000 annually. The actual salary will vary based on applicant’s education, experience, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. The salary may also be adjusted based on applicant’s geographic location.
This position is eligible to participate in one of Aon’s annual incentive plans to receive an annual discretionary bonus in addition to base salary. The amount of any bonus varies and is subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan.