Integration Program Leader

At Gallagher Benefit Services, you’re a trusted partner to organizations navigating some of their most important people decisions. We help clients build better workplaces, where people feel supported, empowered, and inspired to thrive. Whether it’s shaping benefit strategies, designing wellbeing programs, or advising on workforce challenges, the work you do here creates meaningful change for businesses and the people who power them. We’re a community of bold explorers, trusted experts, and compassionate partners; working side by side to solve problems, and shape the future of work. Here, curiosity is encouraged, collaboration is second nature, and your ideas have room to grow. If you’re looking for a place where your contribution matters and where you can help build a better world of work; think of Gallagher.

Overview

Our Operations team is expanding and seeking an experienced Integration Program Leader to join us. In this strategic role, you will lead the Program Management team responsible for driving integration and business optimization initiatives across GBS US Operations and Client Services. You will partner closely with senior leadership and operational teams to define integration strategies and collaborate with GBS leaders to ensure effective execution.

This role requires strong cross-functional collaboration, particularly with business optimization counterparts, to ensure program designs are aligned and account for interdependencies across initiatives. As Integration Program Leader, you will be accountable for aligning expectations, priorities, and operating methods across the Integration Program Management team.

You will report to the Vice President of Business Optimization for GBS US and lead a team of Project Managers who will support integration and optimization efforts. Success in this role will depend on your ability to build strong relationships with divisional leadership within Gallagher Benefit Services, as well as functional leaders across IT, HR, Finance, and other key areas.

This is a hybrid role with flexible work encouraged, based out of Gallagher’s global headquarters in Rolling Meadows, IL , ideally 2-3 days per week. 

How you'll make an impact

As the Integration Program Leader, you will play a critical role in shaping and executing integration and optimization strategies that drive operational excellence across GBS US. Your impact will be felt through:

Integration Program Leadership

• Partner with senior leadership to design and implement repeatable program and project management frameworks for merger integrations and business optimization initiatives.

• Develop comprehensive program roadmaps that align with divisional strategy and top priorities.

• Foster cross-functional collaboration by leading regular meetings and workshops to ensure alignment, transparency, and knowedge sharing among stakeholders.

• Create and maintain a consolidated program and project log for the entire Busin e ss O p timization team.

• Monitor, track, and report on program status, escalating risks and driving mitigation strategies as needed.

Merger Partner Integration Programs

• Lead client service and operations integration workstreams in collaboration with the GBS Integration Management Office (IMO)

• Coordinate resource planning and deployment with GBS US leadership, G C oE, and Concierge S e rvices to support merger partners.

• Serve as a primary point of contact and escalation for integration-related questions across legacy GBS and merger partner leadership.

• Ensure a seamless experience for merger partners and legacy GBS teams by aligning efforts across all integration workstreams.

Business Optimization Programs

• Drive the portfolio of optimization projects across GBS US business lines, practice areas, and shared services.

• Collaborate with Business O p timization Managers and Analysts to develop business cases and estimate financial impact.

• Consult with senior leaders to identify opportunities for process improvement and operational efficiency.

• Present program and project proposals to the VP of Business Optim i zation and COO.

Integration Program & Project Management

• Scope projects and maintain project plans, RAIDD logs, and other documentation.

• Proactively identify risks, develop mitigation strategies, and ensure projects meet objectives on time and within budget.

• Define and monitor performance metrics for cost, quality, timeliness, and client satisfaction.

• Produce and deliver performance reports to stakeholders.

Team Management Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Project Managers focused on M&A integrations and optimization initiatives.

• Set clear goals, priorities, and performance expectations for the team, ensuring alignment with overall program objectives.

• Provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to build team capability and engagement.

• Oversee project assignments and workload distribution to optimize efficiency and balance resources.

• Conduct regular one-on-one and team meetings to review progress, address challenges, and celebrate successes.

• Foster a collaborative, high performance culture that emphasizes accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

About You

Required: Bachelor's degree and 5 years related experience required. Must possess; exceptional business acumen (to include understanding general business principles, finance, accounting and marketing strategies), ability to lead / manage staff, strong time management skills, superior presentation skills, flexibility to shift priorities as needed to service the needs of the region, and proficient PC skills.

Preferred: Prior employee benefits brokerage experience preferred. Master's degree/MBA desired

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Operations Management, or related field.
• Prior Health & Benefits Industry experience
• 5+ years’ experience in operations management, preferably within mergers and acquisitions or integration environments.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and lead cross-functional teams.
• Position requires strong multi-level relationship building skills, excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work towards team and individual goals
• 5-7 years’ experience in employee benefits, insurance, or related service industry
• PMP Certification

• You are a strategic leader who thrives in complex, fast-paced environments. You bring a balance of analytical rigor, operational expertise, and people leadership to drive successful integration and optimization programs.

  Education and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
  • 4+ years in mangement consulting, operations strategy, or integration program management, ideally within mergers and acqusitions.
  • Background in the Employee Benefits brokerage or HR consulting industry is a plus.

  Strategic Thinking & Analytical Skills

  • Proven ability to think critically and strategically, identify complex business problems, and develop effective solutions.
  • Strong business judgement with the ability to recognize intersections, assess risks, and recommend mitigation strategies.
  • Strong quantitative and qualitative analysis capabilities
  • Ability to synthesize data, draw logical conclusions, and present actional insights

  Leadership & Communication

  • Experience managing and developming teams, with demonstrated success in coaching and mentoring team members to achieve goals.
  • Confidence in engaging senior leadership and articulating integration strategies to diverse stakeholders.
  • Ability to work autonomously with minimal guidance while driving results
  • Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling presentations and reports.

  Technical Proficiency

  • Advanced skills in PowerPoint (executive-level presentations), Excel (modeling large datasets), and Word (white papers).
  • Familiarity with project management tools and MS365 environment, including MS Teams and productivity tools.
  • Comfort leveraging AI-enabled tools for collaboration and efficiency.

  Professional Attributes

  • Commitment to continuous professional and personal development.

#APIntegration

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Compensation and benefits

We offer a competitive and comprehensive compensation package. The base salary range represents the anticipated low end and high end of the range for this position. The actual compensation will be influenced by a wide range of factors including, but not limited to previous experience, education, pay market/geography, complexity or scope, specialized skill set, lines of business/practice area, supply/demand, and scheduled hours. 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...

**The benefits summary above applies to fulltime positions. If you are not applying for a fulltime position, details about benefits will be provided during the selection process.

We value inclusion and diversity

Click Here 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.