Head of Governance and Reporting

AXA; Wells; Hybrid; GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health insurance provider is looking for a Head of Governance and Reporting in Wells, England. This strategic role involves overseeing governance frameworks, managing risk accountability, and developing robust reporting tools. The ideal candidate will need excellent analytical and communication skills, along with a proven leadership track record. The position offers a competitive salary, annual bonuses, and various employee benefits, including a contributory pension scheme and private medical cover.

Benefits

Competitive annual salary

Annual performance-based bonus

Contributory pension scheme

Life Assurance

Private medical cover

Company car allowance

28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays

Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead and deliver governance effectiveness reviews.
• Deep knowledge of PRA and FCA requirements in the insurance sector.
• Strong written communication skills for senior audiences.
• Excellent analytical skills for processing large data volumes.
• A pragmatic, delivery-focused mindset.

Responsibilities

• Establish and oversee the governance framework for AXA Health.
• Define and maintain risk accountability structures.
• Support and facilitate governance forums.
• Design and oversee risk reporting standards.
• Drive risk insight and automation initiatives.
• Promote a risk-aware culture.
• Manage and develop the governance and risk teams.
• Act as a trusted advisor to ExCom and governance forums.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Collaboration

Tools

PowerBI

Job description

We are seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to join us as the Head of Governance and Reporting. This pivotal role is designed to guide and influence senior management within the AXA Health business, ensuring the implementation of a proportionate and effective governance framework. You will oversee the development of robust accountability models, ensuring that risk‑based decisions are thoroughly evidenced, reviewed, and approved by the appropriate individuals and Committees delegated authority by the AXA Health Board.

You will need a proactive and adaptable approach to navigating a complex, ever‑changing risk environment and managing critical reporting deadlines within our annual reporting cycle.

Working closely with senior leaders, you’ll shape, develop, and embed insightful risk and conduct reporting tools that not only demonstrate how risks are being managed but also support strategic decision‑making and business planning, including our Change initiatives.

Leading a team of Governance Managers and Analysts, you will foster a culture of professionalism, continuous development, and collaboration. Your leadership will be crucial in maintaining high standards and building a high‑performing team capable of responding effectively to the fast‑paced, multifaceted risk landscape.

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 two days a week (40%) away from home, moving to three days a week (60%) in the future. Away from home means either attendance at one of our office locations, visiting clients or attending industry events.

What you’ll be doing:

• Establish and oversee the governance framework for AXA Health, setting expectations for good governance practices, conducting effectiveness reviews, and ensuring governance is exercised in practice.
• Define and maintain risk accountability structures, including delegated authority, Statements of Responsibility, SMCR compliance, and providing SME guidance to Health ExCom on governance and best practices.
• Support and facilitate governance forums, including providing secretariat services for the Health Risk Committee and preparing risk reporting for senior leadership, ExCom, and Board meetings.
• Design and oversee risk reporting standards, ensuring the use of meaningful Risk and Conduct KRIs (lead and lag indicators) to monitor exposures and align reporting with the Health Executive and Board’s requirements.
• Drive risk insight and automation initiatives, promoting a straightforward, efficient risk reporting approach, leveraging tools like PowerBI, and collaborating with Business Analytics to simplify and enhance reporting capabilities.
• Promote a risk‑aware culture, emphasizing the value of good governance and clear risk and conduct reporting, and supporting senior leadership in embedding resilience into decision‑making.
• Manage and develop the governance and risk teams, fostering technical excellence, strong risk management, and resilience awareness across AXA Health.
• Act as a trusted advisor to ExCom and governance forums, providing clear insights, recommendations, and representing the risk function at key committees.

What you’ll bring:

• Proven ability to lead and deliver governance effectiveness reviews, establishing proportionate and efficient governance structures that enhance the organisation’s control environment.
• Deep knowledge of PRA and FCA requirements, with practical experience in designing, implementing, and applying governance and risk reporting standards within the insurance sector.
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, succinct reports and summaries tailored for senior audiences.
• Excellent analytical skills, enabling the processing, collation, and presentation of large volumes of data and insights in a consistent and meaningful way.
• A pragmatic, delivery‑focused mindset, capable of working at pace within a dynamic, fast‑moving environment.
• Autonomous working style with strong stakeholder management, including the ability to influence up to ExCom level and recognise when to seek support.
• Collaborative approach, with the ability to listen, build relationships, and secure buy‑in across teams and senior stakeholders.
• Leadership and coaching experience, with a track record of developing and supporting team members to grow their skills and capabilities.

As a precondition of employment for this role, you must be eligible and authorised to work in the United Kingdom.

What we offer:

• Competitive annual salary of up to £80,000
• Annual company & performance‑based bonus
• Contributory pension scheme (up to 12% employer contributions)
• Life Assurance (up to 10 × annual salary)
• Private medical cover
• Company car allowance
• 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Opportunity to buy up to 5 extra days leave or sell up to 5 days leave

To apply, click on the ‘apply for this job’ button, you’ll then need to log in or create a profile to submit your CV. We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer and don’t discriminate against employees or potential employees based on protected characteristics. If you have a long‑term condition or disability and require adjustments during the application or interview process, we’re proud to offer access to the AXA Accessibility Concierge. For our support, please send an email to Neil Birkett – neil.birkett@axa‑uk.co.uk

Who we are:

At AXA Health, we’re passionate about helping our members to put their health first, whether that’s individuals and families, small businesses, or huge corporates. From fast access to diagnosis and treatment, to guidance and tools that can help them manage their health every day, not just when there’s a problem, our members can be confident we’ll guide them, every step of the way.