Head of Risk, Zurich Global Ventures 80-100%

Exciting opportunity to join Group Risk Management (GRM) in its mission to enhance the value of the Zurich Group by embedding disciplined and conscious risk taking and consistent risk assessment in Zurich’s culture, where risk-reward trade-offs are transparent and understood, and risks are appropriately managed.

In this role, you will be the accountable Risk Management executive in Zurich Global Ventures. Global Ventures is the innovative growth engine of Zurich Group, accelerating the execution of our strategy and shaping Zurich’s future by building businesses that reach new target customer segments through scalable digital solutions and services. In addition to growing existing businesses within Global Ventures including our global Travel business, Life Protection, LiveWell and Zurich Integrated Benefits, our focus is on developing emerging opportunities and turning them into new businesses such as cyber, digital partnerships and extended warranty.

In this role you will lead the development, implementation and management of Global Ventures risk frameworks, tailored to our global platforms and new venture growth environment for insurance and non-insurance businesses. You will be responsible for performing risk assessments, advisory and defining & monitoring controls for all material risks, and for the implementation of relevant Group Risk Management frameworks. You will act as a business partner to the Global Ventures Leadership Team and lead a team of Risk Managers in multiple global locations.

This position will report directly to the Group Chief Risk Officer and is part of the Group Risk Management Executive Team as well as the Global Ventures Leadership Team.

What you will do

• Support Global Ventures, including its vertical BUs, new ventures and central team, in identifying and managing risks exposures against risk tolerance

• Perform risk assessments for new ventures and in M&A integrations, including assessment of risk, existing risk & compliance frameworks, adherence to Zurich Group standards and tailoring & implementation of governance, control requirements, and controls together with Group policy and manual owners

• Where required, develop and implement tailored controls specific to Global Ventures, both insurance and non-insurance, in collaboration with the Group control functions

• Manage all risk and risk compliance requirements from definition to implementation and regular monitoring, such as Zurich Risk Policy, ICIF, FATCA, and other frameworks

• Actively engage in M&A activities and new venture building with hands-on support, embedding appropriate risk and compliance considerations from the start

• Simplify the risk attestation process, working closely with Group policy and manual owners, by e.g. defining scope and specific policy requirements for each venture, as well as centralizing activities where possible to achieve synergies across the vertical Business Units

• Work with each business and the Group Assurance functions to plan and streamline assurance activities throughout the year and act as escalation point

• Build leadership understanding of risk requirements and influence business decisions from an independent risk perspective

• Operationalize relevant Group Risk Management frameworks, including but not limited to ZRP adherence and regular risk reporting to the local Risk & Control Committees

• Implement risk-relevant regulatory requirements and on-going compliance with those, including a good, constructive relationship with regulators

• Risk advisory and as required timely escalation of material risk items to the Group CRO and Global Ventures CEO

• Lead the risk teams in Global Venture, setting objectives, reviewing performance and participating in selection/promotion decisions to ensure that staff have the necessary skills and understanding to deliver the team's objectives.

• Provide input and contribute to matters impacting the wider GRM function and Global Ventures as a member of the Risk Management Executive Team and Global Ventures Leadership Team respectively

What you bring

• Bachelor degree (or equivalent); Master degree or equivalent is an optional benefit

• 10+ years of professional experience, partially in a control function or governance role in a large, complex financial organization

• Excellent understanding of the challenges in managing risk and enabling growth in the age of innovation in the insurance business

• Experience in Life Insurance business, either in an assurance, actuarial or market facing role

• Good understanding of the regulatory landscape

• Excellent influencing and stakeholder management skills, and ability to reach practical solutions in complex, multi-interest settings

• Strong business partnering skills and active listening skills

• Growth mindset and at ease to challenge and to be challenged

Additional Information

We look forward to receiving your online application.

At our Quai Zurich Campus , our culture and our people are what set us apart. We thrive on face-to-face interactions that drive collaboration, nurture our unique culture, and amplify our success. Enjoy the best of both worlds with the flexibility to work up to two days remotely per week within Switzerland, allowing you to balance personal commitments while excelling in your career. Please discuss your flexibility needs with us during your interview.

Why Zurich

At Zurich, we like to think outside the box and challenge the status quo. We take an optimistic approach by focusing on the positives and constantly asking What can go right?

We are an equal opportunity employer who knows that each employee is unique - that’s what makes our team so great!
Join us as we constantly explore new ways to protect our customers and the planet .

• Location(s): CH - Zürich
• Remote working: Hybrid
• Schedule: Full Time
• Recruiter name: Grace Cunningham