Address
SalaryChief Operating Officer, Americas
USA
As the world changes and markets become more competitive, our clients’ needs become more complex. More than ever, we are competing for time, for opportunities, for relevance. Differentiation at all levels, including how we think about and engage with our clients, is so important. Our ambition is to unlock a more sustainable and prosperous tomorrow by helping businesses navigate the world’s risks. In the Americas, we will live up to that ambition by delivering value far beyond the insurance policies we provide. We are confronting our clients’ risk management challenges by finding solutions that further their strategic goals and help them build more sustainable, thriving businesses.
As the COO (Chief Operations Officer) Americas you will embody these values, are the key executive responsible for overseeing and managing the day-to-day operations of the organization, including leading our Workplace, Middle Office (Underwriting Operations), and Underwriting Governance teams. You will also be responsible for leading successful transformation and technology initiatives across the region. This role reports directly to the CEO Americas, as part of the Leadership team in the Americas, and is firmly aligned and partners closely to the Global Operations & Technology Leadership team.
DISCOVER your opportunity
What will your essential responsibilities include?
- Development and successful execution of a strategy that returns profitable growth in the region segment by delivering on all four of our strategic drivers: solutions that matter most, valued beyond the policy, data that deepens relationships and focused, fit & fast.
- Ensure cross-functional collaboration and robust partnership across the Americas Leadership team and business leaders to ensure we are aligned on our overall goals, objectives, and transformational roadmap.
- Oversee and optimize the day-to-day operations and budget of the various Operations & Technology functions regionally, closely aligned to the global Operations & Technology initiatives.
- Middle Office: Lead Middle Office (MO) with accountability for day-to-day execution and achievement of key KPIs; Contribute to Global Middle Office projects, in particular standardization, automation, design and roll out of new tools, development of central capabilities; Ensure for adequate skillset & education for our transformation ambitions, and build a market-facing workforce with differentiating service capabilities in the market and exposure to clients and brokers.
- Workplace: Co-construct and support the execution of the regional Real Estate strategy in partnership with the central team within the Global Operations function; Ensure adherence to divisional and group-wide standards on real estate usage, office fit-out and support achieving utilization ratio targets; Coordinate and leverage workplace initiative in the region with excellent collaboration of the Americas Leadership and global workplace teams.
- Regional UW Management: Act as liaison between Global Chief Underwriting Office and Americas Underwriting teams; Ensure rules and guidelines are adhered to and governance is being followed; Support Underwriting teams with Audit and Business Review demands and ensure that robust partnerships between this team and the regional Underwriting leaders are fostered.
- ESS (Enterprise Shared Service): Manages and monitors service delivery KPI’s/SLAs across shared service functions; Maintain connection to our ESS teams and ensure there is a solid partnership between our ESS colleagues and the Americas region.
- Global Technology / Transformation & Change Delivery: Act as contact and escalation point for major incidents and support cascade of communication within region (e.g. system outages, restored services etc.); Monitor and regularly discuss/provides feedback on GT (Global Technology) NPS across region; Help convey tech strategy and implications on region to key stakeholders; Facilitate the implementation of change initiatives within the Americas business unit and support change management activities & adoption under the direction of global Transformation and Change Delivery (TCD) function; Oversee change execution as member of respective Steering Committees and own business deliverables as well as benefits realization on behalf of region across the project portfolio; Support company-wide prioritization of demand as a member of the Project SteerCo and represent the region in that forum; Identify and prioritize tech and change demand within the Americas business unit and work in partnership with the relevant Engagement Partner to identify and raise BU demand. Lead and manage the build out of a change roadmap with aligned investments for the region in support of the respective strategic cycle (2024-26), as part of the overall AXA XL roadmap.
- Procurement: Manage and participate in local Outsourcing committees in alignment with the Global Sourcing & Procurement team; Facilitate the link between purchasing functions and Global Sourcing & Procurement; Be on point for providing the regional priorities related to 3rd party negotiation opportunities; Ensure compliance with Outsourcing and Procurement policies and guidelines and ensure implementation of recommendations from the Global Outsourcing Committee.
- Security: Support implementation of Security policies related to all aspects of Security including Operational Resilience, Physical Security, Health and Safety and Information Security; Raise any BU-specific challenges to the global function for consideration/action.
- Data: Leverage data analytics and insights to make informed decisions about our operational strategies, resource allocation, and process improvements. Identify, gather, and prioritize requests for data and MI capabilities across the region and work with our data solution partners to align on strategy and execution.
- Evaluate and implement tech solutions to improve operational efficiency and provide our customers with solutions that matter most. Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies to drive innovation and transformation within the company.
- Provide inspirational leadership and foster a collaborative culture to instill excellence and professional growth for your team. Set individual objectives, reviewing performance/appraisals, and providing on-going feedback on a formal/informal basis so that all team members are aware of what they are required to achieve and how they are performing against their objectives.
- Effectively take advantage of AXA Group’s international reach and navigate AXA Group organizational culture and global footprint, using empathy, collaboration, and inclusion to create business impact.
This role reports to the CEO, Americas.
SHARE your talent
We’re looking for someone who has these abilities and skills:
- Extensive experience operating as a COO, Operations/Business Unit Leader or as a Senior Leader in a regulated insurer/reinsurer control function e.g., ERM/Legal/Compliance/Audit, etc. Experience leading a major change or transformation preferred.
- Demonstrated record of effective leadership with the ability to influence peers to align around ambitions and drive to successful implementation of strategies and achievement of goals.
- Successful background mitigating/managing risks within a large complex insurance business.
- Robust Project/Program Management experience.
- Ability to influence and inspire colleagues to deliver on the overall objective of the business while working in collaboration with other colleagues and leaders across the organization to achieve our goals and strategy.
- Attract and develop technical and leadership strength on the team at all levels of the organization
- Exemplary behaviors that demonstrate commitment to our corporate values and behaviors, including a demonstrated commitment to “start with the client,” “own it,” “solve it together” and “actually make it better.”
- Demonstrated enthusiasm for staying abreast of key market and industry trends (e.g., underwriting, competition, technology and data, regulatory)
- Take action to manage your own personal development and encourage others to do the same.
- A history of leading diverse teams, creating solid engagement, and building high performance for self and others to reach new heights in pursuit of common goals
- Self-assurance and comfort level with an outward facing role in the market.
- A market profile and the ability to promote AXA XL alongside the other members of the Americas and AXA XL Leadership team.
- Motivation and a desire to challenge the status quo wherever appropriate.
FIND your future
AXA XL, the P&C and specialty risk division of AXA, is known for solving complex risks. For mid-sized companies, multinationals and even some inspirational individuals we don’t just provide re/insurance, we reinvent it.
How? By combining a comprehensive and efficient capital platform, data-driven insights, leading technology, and the best talent in an agile and inclusive workspace, empowered to deliver top client service across all our lines of business property, casualty, professional, financial lines and specialty.
With an innovative and flexible approach to risk solutions, we partner with those who move the world forward.
Learn more at axaxl.com
Inclusion & Diversity
AXA XL is committed to equal employment opportunity and will consider applicants regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity and origins, marital status, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
At AXA XL, we know that an inclusive culture and a diverse workforce enable business growth and are critical to our success. That’s why we have made a strategic commitment to attract, develop, advance and retain the most diverse workforce possible, and create an inclusive culture where everyone can bring their full selves to work and can reach their highest potential. It’s about helping one another — and our business — to move forward and succeed.
- Five Business Resource Groups focused on gender, LGBTQ+, ethnicity and origins, disability and inclusion with 20 Chapters around the globe
- Robust support for Flexible Working Arrangements
- Enhanced family friendly leave benefits
- Named to the Diversity Best Practices Index
- Signatory to the UK Women in Finance Charter
Learn more at axaxl.com/about-us/inclusion-and-diversity. AXA XL is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Sustainability
At AXA XL, Sustainability is integral to our business strategy. In an ever-changing world, AXA XL protects what matters most for our clients and communities. We know that sustainability is at the root of a more resilient future. Our 2023-26 Sustainability strategy, called “Roots of resilience”, focuses on protecting natural ecosystems, addressing climate change, and embedding sustainable practices across our operations.
Our Pillars:
- Valuing nature: How we impact nature affects how nature impacts us. Resilient ecosystems - the foundation of a sustainable planet and society – are essential to our future. We’re committed to protecting and restoring nature – from mangrove forests to the bees in our backyard – by increasing biodiversity awareness and inspiring clients and colleagues to put nature at the heart of their plans.
- Addressing climate change: The effects of a changing climate are far reaching and significant. Unpredictable weather, increasing temperatures, and rising sea levels cause both social inequalities and environmental disruption. We're building a net zero strategy, developing insurance products and services, and mobilizing to advance thought leadership and investment in societal-led solutions.
- Integrating ESG: All companies have a role to play in building a more resilient future. Incorporating ESG considerations into our internal processes and practices builds resilience from the roots of our business. We’re training our colleagues, engaging our external partners, and evolving our sustainability governance and reporting.
- AXA Hearts in Action: We have established volunteering and charitable giving programs to help colleagues support causes that matter most to them, known as AXA XL’s “Hearts in Action” programs. These include our Matching Gifts program, Volunteering Leave, and our annual volunteering day – the Global Day of Giving.
For more information, please see axaxl.com/sustainability
The U.S. base salary range for this position is $250,000 to $300,000 USD.
Actual pay will be determined based upon the individual’s skills, experience and location. We strive for market alignment and internal equity with our colleagues’ pay.
At AXA XL, we know how important physical, mental, and financial health are to our employees, which is why we are proud to offer benefits such as a competitive retirement savings plan, health and wellness programs, and many other benefits. We also believe in fostering our colleagues' development and offer a wide range of learning opportunities for colleagues to hone their professional skills and to position themselves for the next step of their careers. For more details about AXA XL’s benefits offerings, please visit US-Benefits-at-a-Glance_2023_US.pdf (myaxaxlbenefits.com).
