Chief of Staff to the Group COO

AXIS Re; New York (NY); On-site; USD 225,000 - 275,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans for you and family

Retirement plans

Tuition reimbursement

Paid vacation

Job summary

AXIS Capital in New York seeks a strategic Chief of Staff to the Group Chief Operating Officer. You will align Operations, Data & Analytics, Technology, AI and Transformation with the Group COO’s agenda, driving governance, execution discipline and value realization across the portfolio.

The role requires senior leadership across regulated financial services, proven ability to lead large cross-functional initiatives, and strong executive communication.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in Operations, Strategy, Transformation, Technology, Data & Analytics, AI, or Enterprise Program Leadership.
• Experience operating within a complex, regulated financial services or insurance environment.
• Proven ability to lead large-scale cross-functional initiatives and influence senior executives without direct authority.
• Strong commercial, financial, operational, and strategic acumen.
• Working knowledge of technology, data, AI governance, risk, and organizational design.

Responsibilities

• Shape and manage the Group COO's enterprise agenda and strategic priorities.
• Integrate Operations, Technology, Data & Analytics, AI, and Transformation into a unified operating model and execution roadmap.
• Surface key trade-offs, dependencies, risks, and recommendations for decision-making.
• Maintain oversight of the COO portfolio, including investment priorities, benefits realization, execution health, and resource allocation.
• Prepare the Group COO for ExCo, Board, and executive leadership discussions.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic thinking

Executive communication

Financial acumen

Stakeholder management

AI governance

Job description

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.

Job Description

Chief of Staff to the Group COO Position Summary The Chief of Staff to the Group COO serves as the strategic execution partner to the Group COO, ensuring alignment, execution discipline, and measurable value delivery across AXIS's Operations, Data & Analytics, Technology, AI, Transformation, Architecture, and Information Security portfolios. Based on the current AXIS role profile, the Chief of Staff acts as the strategic extension of the Group COO and the primary integration point across these functions. This role converts strategy into action by driving portfolio governance, operating cadence, value realization, cross‑functional execution, and executive decision support. The Chief of Staff enables the Group COO to focus on the highest‑value strategic, operating, talent, and investment decisions while ensuring accountability for execution and outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & COO Agenda

Shape and manage the Group COO's enterprise agenda and strategic priorities.

Integrate Operations, Technology, Data & Analytics, AI, and Transformation into a unified operating model and execution roadmap.

Surface key trade-offs, dependencies, risks, and recommendations for decision‑making.

Portfolio Management & Value Realization

Maintain oversight of the COO portfolio, including investment priorities, benefits realization, execution health, and resource allocation.

Ensure major initiatives have clear business outcomes, ownership, success metrics, and accountability.

Challenge initiatives that are not delivering measurable business value.

Enterprise Execution & Transformation

Drive coordination across complex cross‑functional initiatives.

Resolve interdependencies, delivery obstacles, and organizational barriers.

Ensure transformation efforts produce sustainable business outcomes rather than activity‑based progress.

Data, Technology & AI Leadership

Act as the COO's integration point across Data & Analytics, Technology, AI, Architecture, and Operations.

Ensure investments are aligned to underwriting advantage, operational effectiveness, scalability, and business growth.

Support responsible AI adoption, governance, workforce readiness, and value realization.

Operations & Underwriting Support Effectiveness

Partner with Operations and Underwriting leadership to improve capacity, efficiency, resilience, service quality, and scalability.

Drive process modernization, workflow redesign, automation, and AI‑enabled operating model improvements.

Support AXIS's objective of increasing underwriting capacity without proportionate increases in operational cost or headcount.

Governance, Risk & Resilience

Operate the management cadence for the COO organization, including strategic reviews, investment governance, risk reviews, and performance management.

Maintain visibility of operational, technology, cyber, AI, third‑party, and execution risks.

Track and coordinate significant audit, regulatory, control, and remediation commitments.

Executive & Board Support

Prepare the Group COO for ExCo, Board, and executive leadership discussions.

Develop concise, decision‑oriented materials, recommendations, and executive‑level analyses.

Ensure consistent messaging across the COO portfolio.

Experience & Qualifications

Senior leadership experience in Operations, Strategy, Transformation, Technology, Data & Analytics, AI, or Enterprise Program Leadership.

Experience operating within a complex, regulated financial services or insurance environment.

Proven ability to lead large‑scale cross‑functional initiatives and influence senior executives without direct authority.

Strong commercial, financial, operational, and strategic acumen.

Working knowledge of technology, data, AI governance, risk, and organizational design.

Leadership Capabilities

Enterprise thinker with strong business judgment.

Strategic, outcome‑oriented, and execution‑focused.

Excellent executive communication and stakeholder management skills.

Strong financial and value‑realization mindset.

Ability to challenge constructively and drive accountability.

Trusted advisor capable of operating effectively with senior leadership and the Board.

Success Measures

The Chief of Staff will be successful when: The Group COO agenda is clear, focused, and effectively executed. Strategic investments deliver measurable business value. Cross‑functional execution is coordinated and predictable. Technology, AI, and data initiatives improve underwriting and operational performance. Risks, dependencies, and remediation activities are proactively managed. Executive and Board discussions are concise, fact‑based, and decision‑oriented.

Compensation & Benefits

For this position, we currently expect to offer a base salary in the range of $225,000 to $275,000 (NY). Your salary offer will be based on an assessment of a variety of factors including your specific experience and work location. In addition, you will be offered competitive target incentive compensation, with awards based on overall corporate and individual performance. On top of this, you will be eligible for a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes medical plans for you and your family, health and wellness programs, retirement plans, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation, and much more. Where this role is based in the United States of America, this role is [Exempt/Non-Exempt] for FLSA purposes. This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Rewarding. Challenging. Meaningful. We are shaping the direction of Insurance and Reinsurance during a critical and exciting time for the industry. Whether you are a student approaching graduation or a seasoned professional looking for a new environment, AXIS has the right challenges and career opportunities for you. At AXIS, we value each individual and recognize that attracting and retaining the right people is essential to the success of our company. We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes medical plans for employees and their families, health and wellness programs, retirement plans, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation, and much more.