Head of ICT, Operational & Business Transformation Risk

We’ve a new opportunity for Head of ICT, Operational & Business Transformation Risk in our risk function reporting directly to our Chief Risk Officer.

The Head of ICT, Operational & Business Transformation Risk at AXA Ireland is responsible for leading the development and implementation of operational risk management strategies and practices across the organization, with a specific focus on business transformation initiatives.

This role encompasses elements related to information risk management, ensuring the security and integrity of sensitive data and information systems, as well as the identification and mitigation of risks associated with business transformation projects.

In addition to overseeing information and technology risk management, the role entails leading the identification, assessment, and mitigation of risks associated with business transformation initiatives, including process reengineering, organizational changes, and technological implementations. The incumbent will act as the 2nd line subject matter expert for AXA Ireland Risk Function, ensuring that information and technology risks, as well as business transformation risks, are appropriately identified, assessed, and managed by 1st line management.

Furthermore, the role involves providing second line opinions on whether 1st line management within AXA Ireland has identified and assessed its key information, technology, and business transformation risks, and put effective risk mitigation strategies in place. The Head of ICT, Operational & Business Transformation Risk will collaborate with business units to assess operational risk exposure and develop risk mitigation plans and strategies for successful project delivery, while also providing risk advice and challenge to the 1st line on key business transformation projects and initiatives within AXA Ireland.

Key responsibilities include

Information & Technology Risk

• Provide second line opinions on whether 1st line management within the operating company has identified and assessed its key ‘information and technology’ risks and put effective risk mitigation strategies in place. (This includes assessing the scope of Security Projects, understanding AXA Group dependencies where relevant to the operating company, assessing the adequacy of disaster recovery processes, assessing our oversight of third parties, considering emerging risks and assessing whether the organisation is operating within its approved risk appetite).
• Provide second line assurance over the design and operating effectiveness of key controls operated by the 1st line over` the operating company’s most significant ‘information and technology’ risks (as well as supporting work on UK&I transversal controls).
• Provide risk advice and challenge to the 1st line on key ‘information & technology’ projects and initiatives within the Operating Company.
• Support strategic risk management planning processes with respect to ‘information & technology’ risks by developing and maintaining a strong understanding of key business, regulatory and IT trends in the financial services industry.

Operational risk

• Develop and maintain an operational risk management framework, including policies, procedures, and controls to identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks.
• Conduct risk assessments and analysis to identify trends, potential areas of concern, and emerging risks within the organization.
• Collaborate with business units to assess operational risk exposure and develop risk mitigation plans and strategies.
• Monitor and report on operational risk metrics and key risk indicators to senior management and relevant stakeholders.

Business Transformation Risk Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

Your Profile

• Lead the identification and assessment of risks associated with business transformation initiatives, including process reengineering, organizational changes, and technological implementations.
• Collaborate with business units to evaluate the impact of transformation projects on operational risk exposure and develop risk mitigation plans to ensure successful project delivery.

About the Person

• Around 10 years’ experience in an insurance/financial services business environment, ideally with some exposure to compliance/regulatory matters or alternatively sustainability matters.

• Stakeholder relationship management skills – ability to manage key relationships and interact with Board/Directors linked to the Operations of the business

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills – ability to communicate technical concepts to a wide range of audiences

• Team leadership skills – ability to manage teams, work collaboratively across teams

• Substantial product and industry knowledge and understanding of regulatory framework

• The jobholder is expected to have thorough knowledge of overall Information & Technology risks faced by financial services firms with a particular emphasis on cyber/security risks.

• Insurance qualification with relevant experience in operational risk or sustainability risk. Professional Certificate in Insurance (APA) with commitment to progress to Professional Diploma in Insurance (CIP)

• Strong knowledge of IT systems, processes and controls

• Expertise in Technology Risk Frameworks (e.g. COBIT, ISF, ISO27000 series)

• Experience with developing risk assessments, prioritising risks and assessing / testing controls

• Proven ability to work under time pressure and manage multiple deliverables at the same time

• Analytical problem solving skills, but ability to see bigger picture

• Continued Professional Development

At AXA we work smart, empowering our people to balance their time between home and the office in a way that works best for them, their team and our customers. You'll work at least 40% of your week away from home at our Dublin office.

Deemed CF1 and subject to robust employment screening.

As a precondition of employment for this role, you must be eligible and authorized to work in Ireland and/or the United Kingdom. About AXA

Would you like to wake up every day driven and inspired by our noble mission and to work together as one global team to empower people to live a better life? Here at AXA we strive to lead the transformation of our industry. We are looking for talented individuals who come from varied backgrounds, think differently and want to be part of this exciting transformation by challenging the status quo so we can push AXA - a leading global brand and one of the most innovative companies in our industry - onto even greater things.

In a fast-evolving world and with a presence in 64 countries, our 166,000 employees and exclusive distributors anticipate change to offer services and solutions tailored to the current and future needs of our 103 million customers.About the Entity

Proud to be part of the AXA Group, at AXA Ireland our values are at the heart of everything we do. We work together as One AXA, embracing our differences to make our teams great. We believe integrity, courage and our customer-first approach is what makes us a great place to work. AXA is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from across all communities.What We Offer

One of the best things about joining AXA is our rewards package. At AXA Ireland, we’re appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package reflects that. You can expect to receive:

• Competitive salary with annual review

• Annual company & performance-based bonus

• Contributory pension scheme (up to 10% employer contributions)

• Life Assurance

• Generous annual leave plus Bank Holidays

• AXA employee discounts

• Education support and plenty of learning opportunities.

AXA is proud to support the needs of our employees and as such understands everyone has individual work and home life responsibilities. We are therefore happy to discuss flexible working arrangements, should this be a requirement for you.

At AXA, we want to become one of the most inspiring companies to work for and to achieve this ambition, we need the best talent to come and work for us. We look for candidates with the right skills and values to join us and selection is based on a fair and equal process. As a financial services company, all successful candidates will require employment checks, so we can ensure regulatory compliance.

We’re proud to be committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all backgrounds.

AXA Ireland dac consider applicants on the basis of skills, experience & qualifications and without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, disability or any other legally protected status.