Principal, Engagement

Discover a world of endless possibilities at Gallagher Benefit Services, where you'll have the power to shape the future of workplaces across industries. As a member of our team, you become the driving force behind positive change, helping clients build environments where employees thrive. Embrace the opportunity to impact lives, unlock potential, and create a legacy of remarkable transformation.

We believe that every candidate brings something special to the table, including you So, even if you feel that you're close but not an exact match, we encourage you to apply.

Where you fit in

We believe that communication can do more than simply inform. It can persuade, motivate, educate and most importantly, help achieve results. From benefits, to change, to total wellbeing and more, our communication team helps our clients share important information with their employees, engaging them and helping them to understand and appreciate the value in what's being communicated.

Our financial success depends on its ability to leverage the impact of its Principals
Principals contribute value to our organization over and above their direct billings by bringing in sufficient work to keep other consultants busy. By managing a profitable and growing portfolio of clients/projects, Directors contribute substantially to the success and vitality of our organization as a whole.

While there is no one "right" employee for this position, individuals who are most likely to succeed in the Principal role must have a proven record in selling/revenue responsibilities and delivering successful communication campaigns, preferably with knowledge of human resources (especially benefits and compensation) and expertise spanning internal employee communication. As a Principal in the Engagement practice, you will demonstrate proficiency in communication consulting, client delivery, business development, financial management and talent development (as detailed below).

Consulting, client delivery and business development

• Serve as the strategic lead on large, complex client relationships

• Lead the development of creative, strategic, proactive and technically correct consulting recommendations to clients

• Facilitate meetings, new business presentations and communication strategy sessions with clients and prospects to gather information, establish needs and success factors, scope work, clarify expectations, develop strategies, draft proposals, price projects, obtain feedback and negotiate contracts

• Develop, manage and implement strategic communication campaigns for all types of benefit communications including defined benefit, defined contribution, health and wellbeing, compensation, human resources, leadership, employee listening and change management communications

• Expertise in all types of media including print, digital, video, face-to-face and social media

• Ability to conduct/lead audience research and communication audits

• Review the design and content of communication materials; this includes ensuring consistency, accuracy and appropriate tone, as well as reviewing the work of less experienced colleagues

• Demonstrate project/team leadership that leads to high-quality service delivery and client retention/satisfaction

• Work with client executives and the Market Development Team to identity and pursue cross-sell opportunities with existing clients

• Use network of contacts to identify and target prospective clients, and grow the business by bringing in new clients

• Contribute to and help maintain sales pipeline and financial forecasts

• Network and maintain positive working relationship across our organization, beyond the local and national Engagement team, to earn the respect and confidence of colleagues at every level

• Contribute to the advancement of the practice and firm by contributing to and sharing best practices on internal calls both within and beyond the Engagement practice

• Promote the visibility of our organization and develop contacts through speaking engagement, publications and thought leadership

• Demonstrate knowledge of the market and competitors

• Contribute to the growth of the practice through innovation of our service offers

Financial management and operations

• Prepare campaign/project budgets and schedules resulting in on-time and profitable projects

• Participate in billing decisions and bill preparation assuring high collection rates and retention of clients; submit bills timely

• Sales and new business development responsibilities that include approximately $750,000 in new business bookings annually

• Operational proficiency in the lifecycle of client engagements – including timely SOW development and execution, diligent management of opportunities, ensuring accurate billing rules and project code set-up, adherence to time entry deadlines, timely pro-forma and third-party invoice processing, and accounts receivable management to minimize past due payments from clients

• Play an active role in short- and long-term strategic planning for the practice

People development

• Delegate work to the most qualified and cost-effective team members, so that junior-level team and direct reports meet billable goals

• Manage and/or mentor less experienced staff, including providing recommendations for training and development opportunities.

• Conduct meaningful reviews of performance of project team members

• Use network of contacts to identify, recruit, interview and recommend new talent

Inherent in these areas are leadership skills. The selected candidate will have evidence of substantial leadership skills and will take ownership in the success of the firm.

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in English, business, communications, marketing, human resources or a related field

• Industry certifications, affiliations and advanced degrees (CEBS, MBA, IABC, etc.) are a plus, but not required

• Minimum of 15 years of consulting experience in communications and/or human resources (likely to come from corporate communications, public relations, journalism, advertising, marketing, corporate benefits, or benefits industry)

• Superior written and oral communication skills with strong attention to detail, organization and time management skills

• Client relationship management skills

• Demonstrates creativity, reliability and strong problem-solving/strategic thinking skills

• Proven track record of business building

• Ability to remain calm in crisis, create excitement and motivate others

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat

On top of a competitive salary, great teams and exciting career opportunities, we also offer a wide range of benefits.

Below are the minimum core benefits you'll get, depending on your job level these benefits may improve:

• Medical/dental/vision plans, which start from day one
• Life and accident insurance
• 401(K) and Roth options
• Tax-advantaged accounts (HSA, FSA)
• Educational expense reimbursement
• Paid parental leave

Other benefits include:

• Digital mental health services (Talkspace)
• Flexible work hours (availability varies by office and job function)
• Training programs
• Gallagher Thrive program – elevating your health through challenges, workshops and digital fitness programs for your overall wellbeing
• Charitable matching gift program
• And more...

We value inclusion and diversity

to review our U.S. Eligibility Requirements

Inclusion and diversity (I&D) is a core part of our business, and it's embedded into the fabric of our organization. For more than 95 years, Gallagher has led with a commitment to sustainability and to support the communities where we live and work.

Gallagher embraces our employees' diverse identities, experiences and talents, allowing us to better serve our clients and communities. We see inclusion as a conscious commitment and diversity as a vital strength. By embracing diversity in all its forms, we live out The Gallagher Way to its fullest.

Gallagher believes that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity and prohibits any form of discrimination by its managers, employees, vendors or customers based on race, color, religion, creed, gender (including pregnancy status), sexual orientation, gender identity (which includes transgender and other gender non-conforming individuals), gender expression, hair expression, marital status, parental status, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran or military status, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected (herein referred to as "protected characteristics") by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Equal employment opportunity will be extended in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, demotion, compensation, benefits, layoff, and termination. In addition, Gallagher will make reasonable accommodations to known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified person with a disability, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.