Lead Strategy Associate / Strategy Associate

What part will you play? If you’re looking for a place where you can make a meaningful difference, you’ve found it.

The work we do at Markel gives people the confidence to move forward and seize opportunities, and you’ll find your fit amongst our global community of optimists and problem-solvers. We’re always pushing each other to go further because we believe that when we realize our potential, we can help others reach theirs. Join us and play your part in something special! Join Markel at a time of transformation and become part of a high‑impact team shaping enterprise strategy and supporting critical decision‑making! 

We’re looking for a Lead Strategy Associate/ Strategy Associate  to join our Richmond‑based Strategy team. In this role, you will report to the Director of Strategy and work closely with the Chief Strategy & Corporate Development Officer. You will partner directly with senior business leaders—including the Insurance CEO, division presidents, and functional heads—to help define Markel’s strategic direction and support execution of key initiatives. 

You’ll contribute fresh thinking, structured analysis, and insight to some of the most important questions facing the organization. This is a rare opportunity to gain meaningful exposure across the enterprise while developing strong problem‑solving, financial, and communication skills in a fast‑moving, entrepreneurial environment. 

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Contributing to continuous development of the overall strategy for Markel Insurance 

• Conducting market research, macro‑trend monitoring, and competitive intelligence to help keep senior leadership informed on industry developments and competitor activity. 

• Supporting business partners on a broad range of business-critical topics, from product and growth strategies to operational and organizational challenges and opportunities 

• Assisting in the preparation of executive‑ready presentations for the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, Board of Directors, and other senior stakeholders. 

• Supporting corporate development activities, including preliminary reviews of acquisition opportunities, market scans, and analytical support across the deal lifecycle. 

• Helping drive cross‑functional strategic initiatives, partnering closely with teams across underwriting, operations, finance, and technology. 

• Building strong relationships with business leaders to support strategy development, challenge assumptions, and bring data‑driven insight to help them grow their business 

• Providing timely, accurate support for ad‑hoc strategic questions from the Chief Strategy & Corporate Development Officer, Insurance CEO, and senior executives. 

What We’re Looking For 

• Relevant experience: 2+ years experience in management consulting or similar in-house role (experience in insurance is a plus, not a must)  

• Problem solving ability: Strong structured problem-solving skills, with the ability to break complex issues into logical components and develop clear recommendations. 

• Strong communication skills: Comfortable engaging with senior leaders, craft compelling narratives and able to effectively challenge the status quo to shift the wa