Chief Risk Officer, Zurich U.S.

Zurich NA; Schaumburg (IL); Hybrid; USD 291,000 - 510,000; Full time

Job summary

Zurich NA is seeking a Regional Head of Risk to lead the Risk function across the U.S. region, reporting to the Group Chief Risk Officer. The role is based in a U.S. hub location with periodic regional and occasional international travel.

You will champion governance, set risk appetite, advise executives, and partner with regulators, external auditors, and Group risk teams to ensure comprehensive risk management across the region.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 15+ years of experience in the Insurance risk domain.
• Experience managing and developing collaborative teams.
• Experience working with C-suite executives.
• Experience assessing and mitigating risks to capital and earnings.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Professional qualifications such as FCAS, ACAS, CFA, FRM, CPCU highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead the evolution of Risk Management to a best-in-class function.
• Act as an inspirational leader, attract, develop and motivate talent.
• Develop the culture in the risk function as a strong governance safeguard and risk advisor.
• Embed effective risk governance and monitoring in the business.
• Provide risk insights to support business objectives and appropriate risk-taking.

Skills

Leadership

Executive collaboration

Risk governance

Regulatory awareness

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Professional designations (FCAS/ACAS/CFA/FRM/CPCU)

Job description

Zurich U.S. is seeking a Regional Head of Risk to lead the Risk function across the U.S. region. Reporting directly to the Group Chief Risk Officer, this critical leadership role will be based in one of Zurich’s U.S. hub locations. The position requires periodic regional travel and occasional international travel to collaborate with global stakeholders and support key business initiatives.

Group Risk Management's mission is to enhance the value of our Group by embedding disciplined risk taking in its culture, where risk-reward trade-offs are transparent, understood, and risks are appropriately rewarded. The environment is fast-paced, content-driven and global, and the topics touch all aspects of the Group; from strategy through to operations. As part of the GRM leadership team you will champion collaboration and manage diverse and conflicting resource requirements to ensure execution of key priorities.

As a member of Zurich’s global leadership team and the Risk Management Executive Committee, you closely collaborate with your risk colleagues around the globe. You promote the exchange of best practices & lessons learnt across the region and GRM. You sponsor projects and programs which contribute to the delivery of global initiatives. You take accountability for meeting regulatory requirements in the region on all matters of risk management. In close collaboration with the Group Risk Management team you ensure that Group wide governance and risk management responsibilities are met in your region. You develop and implement risk policies in the region, and you monitor adherence. You identify, assess and report risks in the region to senior management and the Group as appropriate, in particular where risks are taken outside established risk appetite or risk limits.

Key Responsibilities

• Build, lead and direct the evolution of Risk Management to a best-in-class function.
• Act as an inspirational leader, attract, develop and motivate talent.
• Develop the culture in the risk function, which positions it both as a strong safeguard of governance and as respected risk advisor to the business by delivering relevant risk insights.
• Embed appropriate and effective and efficient risk governance and monitoring in the business.
• Enhance business relationships and provide valued risk insights in support of achieving business objectives and enhancing appropriately rewarded risk taking.
• Advise executive management regarding balancing rewarded risk taking with necessary risk mitigating actions depending on risk limit utilization and forward-looking risk assessments.
• Partner with the business to achieve our objectives, by advising senior management of appropriate priorities and development of risk management practices that lead to increased risk identification, assessment and transparency.
• Work closely with regional and Group executive management in the setting of risk appetite and assessment of risk return trade-offs to ensure that the risk strategy is linked to overall corporate strategy, objectives and direction.
• Establish and manage strategic alliances with key partners for the region/Group function in order to develop a strategic agenda. Communicate and engage with regulators, external auditors, the regional Executive Committee, the Group CRO and the Risk Management Executive Committee.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 15 or more years of experience in the Insurance area AND
• Experience managing and developing collaborative teams
• Experience working with C-suite executives
• Experience assessing and mitigating risks/threats to business capital and earnings

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in actuarial, finance, underwriting and/or business/strategy
• Strong people management and experience developing and coaching evolving teams
• Strong business acumen, ability to develop a solid understanding of the strategy, projects and initiatives of Group, ZNA and BUs, in order to provide fit-for-context risk advice and solutions
• Risk management, business operations and experience working with regulators
• Strong visionary, proactive leader that is driven, action and outcome oriented
• Proactive, driven, action and results oriented
• Strong influencing, advisory and stakeholder management skills
• Advanced problem solving and strategic analysis
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to reach practical solutions in complex, multi-interest settings by showing adaptability and taking personal ownership of delivery
• Models behaviors that demonstrates commitment to Zurich values
• Finance, Actuarial, Underwriting and/or Investment Management experience
• Relevant Professional qualifications, FCAS, ACAS, CFA, FRM and/or CPCU
• Master’s degree
• Significant experience in Enterprise Risk Management, actuarial, finance, underwriting and business strategy
• Strong business acumen, ability to develop a solid understanding of the strategy, projects and initiatives of Group, ZNA and BUs, in order to provide fit-for-context risk advice and solutions
• Experience working with insurance regulators and governance bodies.
• Strong executive presence with exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex business challenges and influence outcomes across multiple constituencies.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Professional designations such as FCAS, ACAS, CFA, FRM, CPCU, or similar credentials are highly valued.

Your pay at Zurich is based on your role, location, skills, and experience. We follow local laws to ensure fair compensation. You may also be eligible for bonuses and merit increases. If your expectations are above the listed range, we still encourage you to apply, your unique background matters to us.

The pay range shown is a national average and may vary by location. The proposed salary range for this position is $291,200.00-$509,600.00, with short-term incentive bonus eligibility set at 50%. This role is also eligible to participate in the company’s long-term incentive program.

We offer competitive pay and comprehensive benefits for employees and their families. [Learn more about Total Rewards here.]

Why Zurich

At Zurich, you’ll have the opportunity to shape the risk agenda for a leading global insurer while partnering with senior leaders across North America and Zurich’s global network. You’ll lead a critical function that helps balance disciplined risk management with strategic growth, strengthens governance, and provides forward-looking insights that support sound business decisions. You’ll join a collaborative, purpose-driven organization that values diverse perspectives, develops talent, and is committed to helping customers and communities navigate a changing risk landscape.

We value your ideas and experience. We offer growth, inclusion, and a supportive environment - so you can help shape the future of insurance. Zurich North America is a leader in risk management, with over 150 years of expertise and coverage across 25+ industries, including 90% of the Fortune 500. Join us for a brighter future—for yourself and our customers.

Zurich in North America does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy or other characteristics protected by applicable law. Equal Opportunity Employer disability/vets.

Zurich complies with 18 U.S. Code

• 1033.

Location(s): AM - Schaumburg, AM - Atlanta, AM - Chicago, AM - Dallas, AM - New York

Remote Working: Hybrid

Schedule: Full Time

Employment Sponsorship Offered: No