Chief Insurance Risk Officer (Remote)

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 2,400,000 - 4,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive coaching

Generous annual leave

Remote-friendly work

Long-term incentives

Bonus opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an accomplished Chief Insurance Risk Officer (CIRO) to join its executive team in a fully remote role. The CIRO oversees enterprise risk management with a clear focus on insurance risks, reporting to the CEO and collaborating with the Board to foster a strong risk culture.

The ideal candidate combines deep insurance risk expertise, strategic leadership, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders in a remote-first environment. Advanced degree and FRM/PRM desirable.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, or related field.
• FRM/PRM designation is highly desirable.
• 15+ years in risk management, senior leadership preferred.
• Deep insurance operations knowledge (underwriting, reserving, investment).
• Strong regulatory compliance experience in insurance.
• Exceptional analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Proven ability to influence C-suite and Board.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain enterprise-wide risk framework, focused on insurance risks.
• Lead identification, assessment and monitoring of key risks.
• Design and implement risk appetite statements and tolerances.
• Ensure regulatory compliance (Solvency II and local rules).
• Advise Board and Executive on risk matters affecting strategy.
• Oversee stress testing and scenario analyses for resilience.
• Build a robust risk culture and awareness across the org.
• Manage relationships with auditors, regulators, rating agencies.
• Lead and develop a high-performing risk function.

Skills

Advanced degree in Finance/Economics/1

FRM/PRM designation

15+ years risk management

CRO/Head of Risk experience

Insurance operations knowledge

Regulatory compliance knowledge

Strategic thinking

Leadership & stakeholder engagement

Strong communication skills

Education

Advanced degree in Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, or related field

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a highly respected and innovative player in the global insurance market, is seeking to appoint a strategic and visionary Chief Insurance Risk Officer (CIRO) to its executive leadership team. This is a critical, fully remote role that will oversee the entire enterprise risk management framework for the organization, with a strong focus on insurance-specific risks. Although conceptually linked to operations in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, ZA, this position offers the complete flexibility of a remote-first work environment. The CIRO will be instrumental in identifying, assessing, and mitigating all forms of risk that could impact the company's strategic objectives, financial stability, and regulatory compliance. This senior executive position requires a deep understanding of the insurance industry, robust analytical capabilities, and exceptional leadership to guide the company through an increasingly complex risk landscape. You will report directly to the CEO and work closely with the Board of Directors to ensure a strong risk culture permeates the entire organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive enterprise-wide risk management framework, with a specific emphasis on insurance risks (underwriting, reserving, market, credit, operational).
• Lead the identification, assessment, and monitoring of key risks across all business units.
• Design and execute risk mitigation strategies, including the establishment of appropriate risk appetite statements and tolerance levels.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory risk management requirements (e.g., Solvency II, local regulatory bodies).
• Provide strategic advice to the Board and senior management on risk-related matters and potential impacts on business strategy.
• Oversee stress testing and scenario analysis to assess the company's resilience to extreme events.
• Develop and implement a robust risk culture throughout the organization, promoting risk awareness and accountability.
• Manage relationships with external auditors, regulators, and rating agencies on risk matters.
• Lead and develop the risk management function, ensuring a high-performing team.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field.
• A relevant professional designation (e.g., FRM, PRM) is highly desirable.
• Extensive experience (15+ years) in risk management within the financial services or insurance industry, with a significant portion in a senior leadership role (e.g., CRO, Head of Risk).
• In-depth knowledge of insurance operations, including underwriting, claims, reserving, and investment management.
• Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements for the insurance sector.
• Exceptional analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to influence and engage with C-suite executives and Board members.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully building and leading high-performing risk teams in a remote-first environment.
• Proven ability to navigate complex organizational structures and drive change.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive executive compensation package, including a substantial base salary, significant bonus opportunities, long-term incentives, and comprehensive executive benefits.

As a fully remote position, you will enjoy the unparalleled flexibility and autonomy of working from home, setting your own schedule and optimizing your work-life balance.

This role provides the opportunity to shape the risk strategy of a leading insurance company from anywhere in the world, with the conceptual anchor in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, ZA.

You will have access to cutting-edge risk management tools and technologies, and the support of a highly experienced executive team.

Further benefits include executive coaching, generous annual leave, and a commitment to continuous professional development.

This is a chance to make a profound impact at the highest level of the insurance industry.