Vice President, Business Development - Travel Insurance Programs

Vice President, Business Development - Travel Insurance Programs

This is a hybrid role with the flexibility to work both virtually and from either our New York, NY or Miami, FL office.

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.

What the day will look like

We are seeking a dynamic and goal-oriented Vice President of Business Development to lead the acquisition of new travel insurance distribution partnerships and grow our B2B2C book of business. This executive will be responsible for identifying, pursuing, negotiating, and closing large-scale travel insurance program deals with major travel retailers and travel suppliers. The ideal candidate brings deep relationships across the travel and travel insurance ecosystem, a proven track record of sophisticated, enterprise-level partnerships, and the strategic acumen to structure tailored programs that align with partner business models.

Strategic Business Development & Sales

• Own the full business development lifecycle from prospecting to close for large travel insurance distribution partnerships across cruise lines, tour operators, OTAs, airlines, vacation rental platforms, travel management companies, other travel suppliers, and alternative distribution opportunities for travel insurance.

• Develop and execute a strategic sales plan and go-to-market strategies to achieve aggressive annual revenue and partnership acquisition targets.

• Prioritize and manage a pipeline of strategic opportunities based on revenue, fit, and capacity.

• Identify and cultivate relationships with C-suite and senior decision-makers at target partner organizations.

• Lead consultative sales processes involving multi-stakeholder negotiations, custom product design, and technology integration discussions.

Partnership Structuring & Program Design

• Collaborate with product, underwriting, actuarial, and technology teams to design customized travel insurance programs tailored to each partner’s customer base, booking flow, and distribution model.

• Structure partnership economics including commission models, revenue-share arrangements, marketing development funds, and performance incentives.

• Maintain relationships with the new client and continuity with account management and implementation teams for onboarding and launch.

Market Intelligence & Industry Leadership

• Serve as a visible thought leader and brand ambassador at key industry events and conferences (e.g., Skift, Phocuswright, USTOA, ASTA, CLIA).

• Monitor competitive landscape including carrier direct products, embedded insurance trends, insurtech innovation, and regulatory developments impacting travel insurance distribution.

• Provide market intelligence and partner feedback to inform product roadmap, pricing strategy, and go-to-market decisions.

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing business development team as the organization scales.

• Partner closely with Marketing, Product, Technology, Legal/Compliance, and Operations to ensure cohesive go-to-market execution.

• Report on pipeline, deal progress, and revenue forecasts to executive leadership.

How this opportunity is different

Aon’s Travel Practice is a leading provider of travel insurance and travel protection programs. We partner with the world’s largest travel retailers, tour operators, cruise lines, online travel agencies (OTAs), and travel suppliers to deliver embedded insurance solutions that protect millions of travelers annually. Our mission is to provide innovative, customer-centric travel protection products that enhance the traveler experience while creating meaningful ancillary revenue for our distribution partners.

Skills and experience that will lead to success

• Ten plus years of progressive experience in business development, sales, or strategic partnerships within travel insurance, travel assistance, embedded insurance, or closely adjacent sectors (travel technology, travel distribution, insurtech).

• Demonstrated success closing various sized B2B2C distribution partnerships with major travel brands (airlines, OTAs, cruise lines, tour operators, hotel groups, etc.).

• Deep understanding of travel insurance products, distribution models (embedded/ancillary), underwriting fundamentals, and regulatory landscape (state licensing, surplus lines, admitted markets).

• Established network of senior relationships across the travel and travel insurance industries.

• Collaborate across the enterprise to unlock new avenues of distribution for travel protection programs and services.

• Experience structuring commercial deals involving commissions, revenue shares, MGA/MGU or program administrator arrangements, and technology integration requirements (APIs, booking path integration).

• Excellent executive presence with the ability to present to and influence C-suite stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior leadership experience at a travel insurance carrier, MGA, TPA, or insurtech

• Experience selling into and managing relationships with global travel distribution platforms and/or travel retailers (e.g., Amadeus, Sabre, Travelport) or global OTAs (e.g., Booking.com, Expedia, Priceline).

• Familiarity with embedded insurance platforms and API-driven distribution technology

• Experience working across international markets; broad understanding of travel insurance regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions.

• Active participation in industry associations such as UStiA (US Travel Insurance Association), USTOA, ASTA, or CLIA.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.

How we support our colleagues

In addition to our comprehensive benefits package, we encourage an inclusive workforce. Plus, our agile environment allows you to manage your wellbeing and work/life balance, ensuring you can be your best self at Aon. Furthermore, all colleagues enjoy two “Global Wellbeing Days” each year, encouraging you to take time to focus on yourself. We offer a variety of working style solutions for our colleagues as well. Our continuous learning culture inspires and equips you to learn, share and grow, helping you achieve your fullest potential. As a result, at Aon, you are more connected, more relevant, and more valued.

Aon values an innovative and inclusive workplace where all colleagues feel empowered to be their authentic selves. Aon is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. Aon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran, marital, domestic partner status, or other legally protected status. People with criminal histories are encouraged to apply. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities and fostering an inclusive workplace. If you require accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know. You can request accommodations by emailing us at ReasonableAccommodations@Aon.com or your recruiter. We will work with you to meet your needs and ensure a fair and equitable experience. For positions in San Francisco and Los Angeles, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction record in accordance with local Fair Chance ordinances. Aon is not accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms for this position. If you are a search firm, you will not be compensated in any way for your submission of a candidate, even if Aon hires that candidate. 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 $180,000 to $200,000 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 a production incentive in addition to base salary. The amount of any production incentives varies and is subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan. Aon offers a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and regular part-time colleagues, including, but not limited to: a 401(k) savings plan with employer contributions; an employee stock purchase plan; consideration for long-term incentive awards at Aon’s discretion; medical, dental and vision insurance. This role does not accrue vacation. Rather, this role is eligible to take paid time off at the discretion of the employee and management in accordance with company policy and practices. Various other types of leaves of absence; paid sick leave as provided under state and local paid sick leave laws, short-term disability and optional long-term disability, health savings account, health care and dependent care reimbursement accounts, employee and dependent life insurance and supplemental life and AD&D insurance; optional personal insurance policies, adoption assistance, tuition assistance, commuter benefits, and an employee assistance program that includes free counseling sessions. Eligibility for benefits is governed by the applicable plan documents and policies. #LI-VIRTUAL #LI-DH1 #LI-HYBRID 2574251