Chief Operating Officer

Sagic; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the insurance sector is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to oversee operational activities and drive growth. The COO will implement strategies to enhance efficiency, manage teams, and ensure compliance with industry regulations. This role requires strong leadership skills and a deep understanding of insurance operations.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in operations management.
• In-depth knowledge of insurance operations, including underwriting and claims.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement operational strategies to improve efficiency.
• Lead operational teams to achieve business goals and high performance.
• Monitor key operational metrics and KPIs for continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Thinking

Problem-Solving

Communication

Financial Acumen

Education

Degree in Business Administration

Professional certifications related to insurance

Job description

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Full Job Description

Qualifications & Experience:

• Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Insurance, or a related field is a requirement. Professional certifications related to insurance are preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in operations management, with previous experience in a senior leadership role within the insurance industry is preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of insurance operations, including underwriting, claims, risk management, compliance, and customer service.
• Proven track record of driving operational efficiency and cost management in a complex business environment.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operational activities at Sagic, ensuring efficient and effective management of all operational functions. The COO will work closely with the senior leadership team and department heads to design and implement operational strategies that align with the company's vision and objectives. This role is critical in driving growth, improving operational performance, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership:

• Develop and implement operational strategies, policies, and procedures to improve efficiency and productivity across Sagic.
• Lead and manage the operational teams (claims, underwriting, operations, Salvation Army insurances) to achieve business goals, ensuring high performance and accountability.
• Monitor key operational metrics and KPIs to evaluate Sagic's performance and ensure continuous improvement.
• Oversee the development of operational processes that support product delivery and customer service excellence.
• Contribute to the formulation of Sagic's long-term strategic goals and objectives, ensuring operational strategies align with overall business plans.
• Continuously assess market trends, customer needs, and the competitive landscape to drive innovation in operations.
• Monitor operational budgets and expenditures, ensuring alignment with financial goals and objectives.
• Membership of Sagic’s Risk Committee, with responsibility for ensuring the risk register and risk tolerances are kept up to date.

Insurance Operations Management:

• Oversee underwriting, claims processing, policy administration, and customer service departments, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• Ensure Sagic’s products and procedures are kept up to date in line with risk appetite and external regulations.
• Head of IT, responsible for all Sagic IT infrastructure, including insurance software.
• Responsible for the complaints function, ensuring they are correctly recorded, handled by the appropriate department, and escalated to the CEO as required.
• Assist with the production of management information reports.
• Monitor workloads across departments to ensure appropriate resource utilization.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing operations team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and customer-centricity.
• Provide leadership, training, and development opportunities to operational staff to enhance their skills and capabilities.
• Ensure Sagic maintains an effective performance management system, including setting clear expectations, providing feedback, and conducting performance evaluations.

Skills Specification:

• Strong leadership and team management abilities, with the capacity to drive change and innovation.
• Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, P&L, and controlling costs.
• In-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements within the insurance industry.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to navigate and leverage technology to improve operational efficiency.

Personal Attributes:

• Strong business acumen with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Collaborative mindset emphasizing teamwork and relationship-building.
• High integrity, transparency, and accountability.
• Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced, ever-changing industry.