Group Head of Operational Risk

Axis Capital; City Of London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Axis Capital in London seeks a senior leader to own and evolve the Group Operational Risk Framework, providing independent oversight, challenge and strategic direction for risk assessment, governance and resilience across the Group.

You will chair the quarterly Operational Risk Committee, drive first-line and second-line coordination, oversee the Riskonnect platform, and ensure consistent reporting, escalation and regulatory alignment across jurisdictions including the UK, USA, Bermuda and

Qualifications

• Experience leading operational risk in a complex, regulated insurer or reinsurer.
• Knowledge of risk and control assessments, risk appetite, key risk indicators, risk events, scenario analysis and governance reporting.
• Ability to convert complex risk information into clear implications and recommendations for executives.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve the Group Operational Risk Framework and strategy, aligning with ERM framework, business strategy and regulatory requirements.
• Set Group-wide priorities for operational risk activity and strengthen first-line risk ownership.
• Provide independent second-line oversight across units and entities with a Group-wide view of exposures and trends.
• Define and embed forward-looking approaches for key operational risks including cyber, AI, third-party and outsourcing risk.
• Ensure consistent identification, assessment, governance and reporting of operational risks and controls.
• Lead the Group risk event process including escalation, root-cause analysis and action tracking.
• Chair the quarterly Operational Risk Committee and oversee reporting for informed decisions.
• Own governance, risk and compliance platform usage and data quality (Riskonnect).
• Lead operational risk scenario analysis and input into internal models and enterprise risk management.
• Respond to regulatory reviews and align with expectations across jurisdictions including UK Lloyd's and Ireland.

Skills

Operational risk leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder influence

Governance reporting

Second-line risk

Cross-jurisdiction work

GRC platform experience

Education

Bachelor's degree or professional risk qualification

Tools

Riskonnect

Job description

You will lead the design, evolution and continued embedding of the Group Operational Risk Framework, helping AXIS identify, govern and manage operational risk in line with Board risk appetite, regulatory expectations and strategic objectives. You will act as the senior authority for operational risk, providing independent oversight, challenge and insight to the Group Chief Risk Officer, senior leadership and the Board Risk Committee. Success will be reflected in a forward-looking, consistently applied framework that strengthens risk ownership, resilience and decision-making across the Group.

What will you do in this role?

• Own and evolve the Group Operational Risk Framework and operational risk strategy, ensuring alignment with the enterprise risk management framework, business strategy, Board risk appetite and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Set Group-wide priorities for operational risk activity, manage supporting resource and strengthen first-line risk ownership through practical guidance, training, constructive challenge and talent development.
• Provide independent second-line oversight across business units and legal entities, delivering a clear Group-wide perspective on material exposures, control weaknesses, trends and emerging vulnerabilities.
• Define and embed forward-looking approaches for key and emerging operational risks, including cyber, artificial intelligence, third-party and outsourcing risk, technology risk and operational resilience.
• Ensure operational risks and controls are identified, assessed, governed and reported consistently across the Group, including through risk and control assessments, key risk indicators, thematic reviews and deep dives.
• Lead the Group risk event process, ensuring effective escalation, root-cause analysis, action management, lessons learned and trend reporting.
• Chair the quarterly Operational Risk Committee, setting a focused agenda and overseeing presentation materials and reporting that enable informed discussion, constructive challenge and clear decisions.
• Own the Group governance, risk and compliance platform for operational risk, including Riskonnect reporting, data quality, system enhancement priorities and the effective use of risk information.
• Lead the development of operational risk scenario analysis and provide operational risk input into the internal model, Own Risk and Solvency Assessment and wider enterprise risk management activity.
• Lead responses to regulatory reviews relating to operational risk and maintain alignment with applicable expectations across relevant jurisdictions, including the USA, Bermuda, the United Kingdom (inc. Lloyd's) and Ireland.

You may also be required to take on additional duties, responsibilities and activities appropriate to the nature of this role.,

• Work with senior stakeholders across AXIS businesses, functions and legal entities in multiple jurisdictions.
• Participate in senior management, governance and Board-level forums as required.
• Travel domestically or internationally when required to support effective Group oversight and regulatory engagement.

We encourage you to bring your own experience and expertise to the table, so while there are some qualifications and experiences we need you to have, we are open to discussing how your individual knowledge might lend itself to fulfilling this role and help us achieve our goals.

What you need to have:

• Experience leading operational risk within a complex, regulated insurance or reinsurance organisation, with the judgement to set strategic direction and prioritise the most material exposures.
• Detailed knowledge of operational risk frameworks, including risk and control assessment, risk appetite, key risk indicators, risk events, scenario analysis, controls and governance reporting.
• Able to provide independent challenge and convert complex risk information into clear implications, choices and recommendations for executive leadership and Board audiences.
• Able to operate across multiple businesses, legal entities and jurisdictions, balancing consistent Group standards with proportionate local application.
• Knowledge of relevant regulatory expectations for operational risk and resilience, with the ability to lead responses to regulatory reviews and maintain credible engagement with regulators.
• Able to influence senior stakeholders, build effective partnerships with the first line and maintain the independence expected of a second-line risk function.
• Leadership capability to set priorities, manage supporting resource and develop operational risk capability across a global organisation.
• Experience using and owning the development of a governance, risk and compliance platform, to improve risk data, workflow and reporting.

What we prefer you to have:

• Experience supporting operational risk capital modelling, scenario analysis or the Own Risk and Solvency Assessment.
• Experience overseeing operational resilience, third-party and outsourcing risk, or technology, cyber and artificial intelligence risk in partnership with specialist functions.
• Bachelor's degree or a relevant professional qualification in risk management, insurance, audit or related discipline.
• ~10 years of experience in (re)insurance companies or consulting firms in underwriting, actuarial, risk, finance, or investment functions

This is your opportunity to join AXIS Capital - a trusted global provider of specialty lines insurance and reinsurance. We stand apart for our outstanding client service, intelligent risk taking and superior risk adjusted returns for our shareholders. We also proudly maintain an entrepreneurial, disciplined and ethical corporate culture. As a member of AXIS, you join a team that is among the best in the industry.

At AXIS, we believe that we are only as strong as our people. We strive to create an inclusive and welcoming culture where employees of all backgrounds and from all walks of life feel comfortable and empowered to be themselves. This means that we bring our whole selves to work.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic, including age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any basis prohibited by the laws that govern its operations.