Head of Insurance Due Diligence

Description

The Role

The Head of Due Diligence Australia is responsible for leading and developing the Due Diligence practice within the FINEX division across Australia. The role provides strategic direction, technical leadership, and commercial oversight for the delivery of high-quality transactional due diligence services to clients involved in mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, investments, divestments, and complex corporate transactions. You will also work with other teams within WTW such as Renewable Energy, Construction and Projects in providing high-quality transactional due diligence services to their clients.

The role is accountable for driving business growth, managing key client relationships, developing market-leading solutions, and ensuring the consistent delivery of exceptional client outcomes while maintaining the highest professional and regulatory standards.

Forming a key part of the Pacific based team you will be responsible for leading and developing the Due Diligence practice within the FINEX division with a key focus on Australia and New Zealand. The role involves:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the Australian Due Diligence strategy aligned with FINEX and broader business objectives.

• Identify market opportunities, emerging risks, and industry trends to enhance service offerings.

• Establish the business as a recognised market leader in transactional due diligence and risk advisory services.

• Collaborate with regional and global FINEX leaders to leverage international expertise and capabilities.

Business Development and Growth

• Drive revenue growth through new business acquisition and expansion of existing client relationships.

• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of transaction-related opportunities.

• Develop strategic relationships with private equity firms, investment banks, corporate clients, legal advisors, lenders, and other transaction stakeholders.

• Lead client presentations, proposals, negotiations, and major projects.

Client Advisory and Transaction Support

• Provide senior-level advice on transactional risks and due diligence matters across complex deals.

• Oversee the scoping, execution, and delivery of due diligence engagements.

• Ensure clients receive actionable insights regarding risk, insurance, liabilities, and transaction structuring.

• Support clients throughout acquisition, divestment, financing, and restructuring activities.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing due diligence team across Australia.

• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and performance-driven culture.

• Support talent acquisition, succession planning, and professional development initiatives.

• Encourage knowledge sharing and continuous improvement across the practice.

Operational Excellence

• Ensure consistent quality, compliance, and governance across all engagements.

• Establish and monitor key performance indicators for financial and operational performance.

• Drive efficiencies in service delivery, methodologies, and technology adoption.

• Maintain compliance with legal, regulatory, and professional standards.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary senior contact for key clients and strategic partners.

• Partner closely with FINEX specialty leaders, Broking teams, Risk Advisory specialists, and Corporate teams.

• Represent the organisation at industry forums, conferences, and market events.

• Promote the firm's brand and thought leadership in transactional risk and due diligence services.

Qualifications

The Requirements

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Finance, Commerce, Business, Law, Accounting, or a related discipline.

• Professional qualifications such as CA, CPA, CFA, MBA, or equivalent.

• Established network within private equity, investment banking, legal, corporate, or advisory markets.

• Significant experience in transaction advisory, due diligence, M&A, corporate finance, insurance, or risk advisory services.

• Demonstrated success in leading and growing a professional services or consulting practice.

• Deep understanding of transactional risk, insurance due diligence, and M&A processes.

• Strong commercial acumen and business development capability.

• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing teams.

• Exceptional stakeholder management and client relationship skills.

• Strong people skills with the ability to work with others under pressure, resolve conflict, and negotiate effectively.

• Collegiate attitude and pride in the delivery of service.

• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders across the business.

Why Join WTW?

WTW provides a competitive benefits package which includes the following (eligibility requirements apply):

• Annual bonus

• Company paid salary continuance insurance

• Life and TPD insurance 

• Hybrid working

• Networks (Gender, Wellbeing, Pride)

• Career Growth – internal opportunities and development programs

At WTW, we trust you to know your work and the people, tools and environment you need to be successful. The majority of our colleagues work in a ”hybrid” style, with a mix of in-person and in-office interactions dependent on the needs of the team, role and clients. Our flexibility is rooted in trust and “hybrid” is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

We understand flexibility is key to supporting an inclusive and diverse workforce and so we encourage requests for all types of flexible working. Please speak to your recruiter to discuss more.

At WTW, we believe that a culture of inclusion and diversity is critical to our business. It's not a separate initiative – rather it’s fundamental to everything we do. We are an equal-opportunity employer who is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and embrace diversity including gender, nationality, disability, age, marital/parental status, ethnicity, gender identity and sexual orientation. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds. 

In the spirit of reconciliation Willis Towers Watson acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

We’re committed to equal employment opportunity and provide application, interview and workplace adjustments and accommodations to all applicants. If you foresee any barriers, from the application process through to joining WTW, please email candidate.helpdesk@willistowerswatson.com