Underwriting Governance Standards & Performance Specialist - (M/F)

Whatever their stage of life, we provide over 108 million customers with the products and services they need to progress. From insurance to personal protection, and savings to wealth management, no matter the need we’re always there for them. And we’re always there for our employees. In 50 countries, we work hard to inspire pride and a sense of belonging in our people. To provide opportunities that challenge them, inspire them, and reward them. And to create a culture that’s open, supportive, and empowering. Because we know that’s the real secret to success – and the best way for us to keep building a better world for both our customers and the talented people who put them first.

Your work environment:

The headquarters of the AXA Group (GIE AXA) brings together our corporate activities. It provides guidance and support to subsidiaries around the world, to ensure the coordination and monitoring of the Group's global strategy, the application of its standards, the consistency of commercial approaches and the sharing of best practices. The headquarters gathers approximately 1000 employees and is distinguished by its strong international culture (45 nationalities), which makes it a rich and stimulating place to work.

Within the Group, you will join the Group Underwriting Office, a newly created department to steer the performance of our (re)insurance portfolio and support our reinforced focus on technical excellence. The platform will also contribute to define our global ambition and approach to new emerging risks related to the energy transition and cyber in the coming years.

Within this Department, you will be part of the team Transformation & Operations, as Group Underwriting Governance Standards & Performance Specialist, a newly created strategic function (& trusted partner) within AXA GUO and AXA GIE; enabling the GUO Organisation, through partnership, collaboration, support and a continuous improvement / simplification mindset.

This opportunity is based in Paris and Madrid.

Your job and daily missions:

JOB PURPOSE

As part of the AXA GUO, Transformation and Operations function, the ‘Group Underwriting Standards and Performance Function’ will perform a critical role in leading, defining, creating and maintaining/evolving the AXA GUO Underwriting Governance framework and performance monitoring strategy. Including; GUO owned Standards and policies, Technical Underwriting Authority Framework, that supports clear accountability for Technical Authority and clear boundaries for matters needing to be referred. Leading on the GUO Intern Control Framework and development of a communication strategy to support changes to AXA GUO framework and UW Governance.

Creation of non-financial KPIs to monitor adherence to Technical Underwriting Authority Framework, highlighting any issues (trends) and ensuring these are resolved within a timely fashion. Whilst also ensuring that all reviews and action points are resolved in a timely manner across the 1st Line (GUO), 2nd Line (Risk Mgt) and 3rd Line (Internal Audit).

DIMENSION

• AXA GUO teams (around 160+ permanent staff in France & Spain)
• AXA entities

CONTEXT AND MAJOR CHALLENGES

The newly created Global Chief Underwriting Office is accountable for establishing, enabling, and driving profit and growth through Product Underwriting Strategy, Portfolio Design and Technical Underwriting Excellence in partnership with the AXA Entities, for both Commercial and Retail. The CUO Transformation & Operations team, under the leadership of the Head of Group GUO Transformation & Operations, is responsible for driving the strategy of CUO & its execution at all levels. This role will report to the AXA GUO, Group Underwriting Governance and Performance Manager.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Working with the AXA GUO, Group Underwriting Standards and Performance Manager, you will:

• Work on the development of a single and consistent approach to our Underwriting Governance Performance monitoring activities, for Life, Savings & Health, P&C Commercial, Retail, Claims and Pricing.
• Responsible for administering and co-ordinating the AXA GUO Reviews Process and scheduling, working with the GUO LT colleagues as necessary and their respective Teams. As well as, maintain and updating the AXA GUO Review modus operandi, Roles & Responsibilities and GUO Reviews Intranet site.
• Develop non-financial / Underwriting Governance KPI, framework criteria, dashboards and reporting, to demonstrate and ensure that, firstly, AXA GUO and Entities remain within Authority Limits and focused on resolving outstanding Reviews / Audits within agreed timeframes and escalate as necessary. Including, but not limited to tracking of:
  • 1st Line – GUO – GUL’s / Authority Limits and Reviews (e.g. IDR’s, Technical Deep Dives, PAP’s)
  • 2nd Line – GUO – Risk Mgt second opinion on GUO activities
  • 3rd Line – GUO Internal Audits MAP (Management Action Plans)

Ensure KPI/reporting frameworks exists, and clear criteria for KPI definition and monitoring. In addition to, maintaining oversight of GUO produced and/or co-ordinated KPI’s (e.g. Conduct, ESG (Environmental, Social, & Governance) etc).

• Develop and maintain a GUO calendar aligned to AXA GIE Corporate calendar and ensure GUO delivers all necessary deliverables within agree timeframes, including communicating on timeline, across: IDR’s and Technical Reviews, PAPs, Risk Appetite, GUL, SII and Standards, Etc
• Working with the Group Underwriting Standards and Performance Manager and key GUO colleagues, in developing a GUO Technical Underwriting Framework to communicate changes to AXA GUO Technical Underwriting Authority Framework; Underwriting Authority, Appetite, SII, Standards and R&G’s to GUO, GIE and entities with a clearly defined change management and version control mechanism, supported by a GUO Intranet site / portal to support version control and transparency.
• Supporting the AXA GUO, Group Underwriting Standards and Performance Manager with additional tasks, as requested and working with the GUO LT, Risk Management and Internal Audit on themes running across GUO, LoBs/Regions (e.g. Internal Control with Risk and Group, Audit findings across LoBs etc.)
• Identification of AXA GUO systemic issues and development of recommendations to resolve.
• Provide support on the GUO owned SII Policies & Standards and creating, cascading, maintaining and monitor AXA GUO Technical Underwriting Authority Framework. Ensuring that Technical Underwriting Authority is cascaded to all relevant stakeholders, as requested/necessary
• Lead and support continuous improvement of all UW governance frameworks and controls through, UW Governance Performance KPIs’ Metrics, regular dialogue with all key stakeholders (GUO, Functions, Entities, Regions) leveraging lessons learned from UW reviews and audits

A key dimension of the role involves having a continuous improvement/simplification mindset, collaborating with all key stakeholders to identify potential improvements in our Governance, tools and dashboards.

MAIN COMPETENCIES AND EXPERIENCES

• Experience of delivering Transformational Leadership in the establishment of the GUO and specifically the Underwriting Governance structure needed for AXA GUO.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred and 8-10+ years knowledge and experience in global insurance.
• Significant experience partnering at the executive level. Takes initiative. Ability to lead and act independently, think in global terms and demonstrate excellent business acumen.
• Develop and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Provide guidance and seek input from others as needed to achieve the best result possible. Capable of working and collaborating with a virtual team, across multiple diverse geographies and cultures.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, collaboration, presentation and influencing skills are essential. Able to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders at all levels of sophistication. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and efficiently juggle numerous concurrent responsibilities.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to drive execution across a diverse group of stakeholders. Able to implement and deliver strategic initiatives, making positive impact to the organization. Approach tasks proactively and anticipate needs. Think quickly and have the flexibility to (re-)prioritize multiple work streams/ projects/ tasks without sacrificing quality.
• Possess strong finance, analytical skills and numerical aptitude; able to analyze and interpret data appropriately and identify trends in order to analyze or direct/ engage with others as needed.

DECISION BODIES AND COMMITTEES

• AXA GUO LT
• AXA Group Underwriting Committee

Why AXA ? Every day, we work together for human progress by protecting what matters. A mission that puts a smile on your face and makes you want to get up in the morning !

One of the world's leading insurers in the protection of property, people and assets, AXA is 145,000 employees and contributors who are committed to our customers on a daily basis, 51 countries in which we distribute our products and services and more than 90 million customers who place their trust in us worldwide.  As a responsible corporate citizen, AXA is committed to social and environmental causes on a daily basis. We are committed to an inclusive policy that recognizes and values individual differences. Do these ambitions speak to you ? Then come and change the world with us !

The headquarters of the AXA Group is based in Paris - La Défense (Majunga Tower) and brings together the Group's corporate activities. It is distinguished by its strong international culture.

You will join:

• A responsible company, towards people, including its employees and customers, and towards the planet 
• A company with strong values
• A company promoting internal mobility and the training of its employees
• A company offering many benefits (learn more here: Reward & Benefits | AXA Group)
• A flexible company, allowing hybrid work, in the office and from home.

The information provided by applicants will be treated as strictly confidential and used for recruitment purposes only.