Senior Operational Excellence Lead, Madrid (M, ES)

Swiss-Re; Madrid; Hybrid; EUR 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Performance-based bonus

Job summary

Swiss Re is seeking a Senior Operational Excellence Lead to transform Global Operations with a focus on control design, automation, and data-driven solutions. You will translate complex challenges into practical, scalable designs and collaborate with Risk & Compliance and Digital & Technology teams.

Ideal candidates bring experience in processes, controls, and technology-enabled improvements, with strong English communication and a track record of delivering cross-functional transformations in a

Qualifications

• Experience in operational control design and controls mitigation.
• Ability to translate operational requirements into functional specs and tech solutions.
• Experience collaborating with technology teams on solution design and implementation.

Responsibilities

• Drive operational control design and automation, embedding preventive/detective controls.
• Translate complex challenges into practical business solution designs and specs.
• Partner with Risk & Compliance, D&T to develop scalable automation solutions.
• Lead solution development from analysis to implementation with measurable outcomes.
• Identify opportunities for process optimization and technology-enabled improvements.

Skills

Operational control design

Process risk mitigation

Control automation

GenAI tools

Stakeholder engagement

English fluency

Tools

Workflow automation

Rules engines

Job description

Are you a bold, strategic thinker who thrives on turning complexity into clarity? Do you have a passion for reimagining how organizations operate and a proven track record of driving transformational change at scale? If so, this is your opportunity to shape the future of operational excellence at a truly global level — right from the heart of Bratislava.

About the Role

As the Senior Operational Excellence Lead, you will play a key role in transforming how CorSo's Global Operations function operates end-to-end, with a particular focus on operational control design and automation and business solution design. Working across the three dimensions of process, systems, and data, you will identify opportunities to strengthen operational effectiveness through smarter controls, process simplification, and technology-enabled solutions. Partnering with Operations Run, Risk & Compliance, and Digital & Technology, you will challenge existing ways of working, translate complex operational and control requirements into practical, scalable solutions, and support their successful implementation across global and local markets.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive operational control design and automation, assessing existing controls, identifying opportunities for simplification, and developing preventive and detective control solutions embedded in operational processes.
• Translate complex operational challenges and control requirements into practical business solution designs and functional specifications, considering end-to-end processes, system capabilities, data dependencies, and operational ownership.
• Partner with Operations Run, Risk & Compliance, Digital & Technology, and, where relevant, external advisors to challenge control designs and develop effective, scalable automation solutions.
• Lead solution development from problem analysis and requirements definition through design, testing, implementation, and operational adoption, ensuring measurable business outcomes.
• Identify opportunities for process optimization and technology-enabled improvement, including appropriate use of emerging technologies, to strengthen quality, efficiency, compliance, and process adherence.
• Build trusted relationships with senior Operations Run stakeholders and cross-functional partners, facilitating alignment on solution options, priorities, and delivery.
• Contribute to end-to-end operating model improvements and broader operational transformation initiatives across Lines of Business, Integrated Platforms, and Global Functions.
• Establish meaningful measures to monitor control effectiveness, process adherence, and sustainable realization of transformation benefits.

About the Team

The Operational Model Excellence (OMEX) team sits within the COO Division of CorSo and is a global transformation function dedicated to evolving end-to-end operational models across Lines of Business (LoBs), Integrated Platforms (IP), and Global Functions. With a mission rooted in driving operational rigor, user relief, and capability building, the team works consistently across the three dimensions of process, systems, and data — all within a unified framework that ensures holistic and sustainable transformation.

OMEX leads business transformation and strategic change initiatives that enhance efficiency, compliance, and service differentiation across CorSo's Global Operations. A growing focus is on strengthening operational effectiveness through process simplification, control automation, and practical business solution design. Working closely with Operations Run, Risk & Compliance, and D&T, the team translates operational challenges into sustainable improvements, while championing innovation and digital adoption. Joining OMEX means helping shape how CorSo operates globally across process, systems, and data.

About You

You are an experienced operational transformation professional who combines sound understanding of operational controls with hands-on business solution design. You are comfortable analyzing complex processes, challenging existing control approaches, and translating business needs into functional requirements and practical improvements. You collaborate effectively across Operations, Risk & Compliance, and Technology, use GenAI confidently to improve the quality and efficiency of your own work, and bring curiosity, sound judgment, and a strong delivery mindset.

We are looking for candidates who meet these requirements:

• Proven experience in operational control design, process risk mitigation, or control automation within a complex financial services or operational environment.
• Strong understanding of preventive and detective controls, with practical experience identifying opportunities to improve control effectiveness through process redesign and automation.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze end-to-end business processes and translate operational and control requirements into functional specifications and implementable technology solutions.
• Experience working with technology teams on solution design and implementation, including requirements definition, testing, and operational integration.
• Practical experience using GenAI tools to enhance personal productivity, analysis, problem-solving, and solution development, with the curiosity to continuously explore new ways of working.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to challenge existing processes and develop practical, scalable solutions.
• Experience collaborating across Operations, Risk & Compliance, and Technology to deliver operational improvements.
• Solid project delivery and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to independently drive initiatives from concept through implementation.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken), with the ability to communicate effectively across functions and geographies.

These are additional nice to haves:

• Experience in commercial insurance, reinsurance, or broader financial services, with familiarity with industry operations and workflows.
• Familiarity with internal control frameworks and operational risk management practices.
• Experience with workflow automation, business rules engines, or other technologies supporting operational control automation.
• Lean Six Sigma certification or practical application of process improvement methodologies.
• Familiarity with Agile or complementary delivery frameworks.
• Experience with data-driven process improvements and analytics.
• Experience working across multiple geographies and cultures in a global organization.

For Spain, the annual base salary range for this position is between 60,000 EUR and 100,000 EUR for a full-time role.

The specific salary offered considers:

• the requirements, scope, complexity, and responsibilities of the role,
• the applicant’s own profile including education/qualifications, expertise, specialization, skills, and experience.

In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for additional rewards and benefits including an attractive performance-based bonus. Eligibility may vary depending on the terms of Swiss Re policies and your employment contract.

Our company follows a hybrid work model, with an expectation to be present in the office at least 50% of working time.

We provide feedback to all candidates via email. If you have not heard back from us, please check your spam folder.

#LI-Hybrid

About Swiss Re

Swiss Re is one of the world’s leading providers of reinsurance, insurance and other forms of insurance-based risk transfer, working to make the world more resilient. We anticipate and manage a wide variety of risks, from natural catastrophes and climate change to cybercrime. Combining experience with creative thinking and cutting-edge expertise, we create new opportunities and solutions for our clients. This is possible thanks to the collaboration of more than 15,000 employees across the world.Our success depends on our ability to build an inclusive culture encouraging fresh perspectives and innovative thinking. We embrace a workplace where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive and develop professionally regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, skillset, thought or other characteristics. In our inclusive and flexible environment everyone can bring their authentic selves to work and their passion for sustainability.If you are an experienced professional returning to the workforce after a career break, we encourage you to apply for open positions that match your skills and experience.

We may use AI-powered tools to support the review and evaluation of applications for this position. These tools provide additional insights to our recruitment teams, but all hiring decisions are carefully reviewed and made by people. To learn more about how we use AI in recruitment and how we handle your personal data, please review our Data Privacy Statement before applying.

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