AXA XL offers risk transfer and risk management solutions to clients globally. We offer worldwide capacity, flexible underwriting solutions, a wide variety of client-focused loss prevention services and a team-based account management approach.

As the Head of Middle Office for the Americas, you will deliver high quality operational services to our internal and external clients, in order for them to achieve enhanced business outcomes. Critical partners and stakeholders include, but are not limited to, all members of the Americas leadership team, the Americas Chief Underwriting Officer lead team (business lines heads), zonal leaders, country heads, and international stakeholders for transversal initiatives and global programs management.

At AXA XL Americas, Middle Office reports into the Americas Chief Operating Officer and has a dual reporting line to the Global Head of Middle Office. The Head of Middle Office is a member of the respective regional and functional leadership teams. Each Middle Office leader is responsible for the prioritization and delivery of all services for their region/function.

What will your essential responsibilities include?

Leadership

• Actively learning about the market, underwriting and business plans and reinsurance.
• Participate as an active member of the COO leadership team and the extended Americas leadership team.
• Serve as a trusted partner and service advisor to the Americas Chief Operating Officer and Chief Underwriting Officer leaders and teams. Accountable for owning and resolving line of business specific operations requirements and issues, while ensuring alignment and consistency with global standards and target operating model structure.
• Be responsible for communicating the global vision for the Middle Office function and tailoring to regional specific requirements.

Business processes management and control

• Lead an end-to-end service operations function for the Americas region to include Underwriting support/service functions for all business lines across the policy lifecycle: submissions through policy issuance, servicing, premium auditing, and collections. Accountable for regulatory and statutory reporting and credit control/premium accounting and collections functions.
• Own the risk and control profile and assessment for risks relating to Middle Office, ensuring that risk registers are updated as appropriate for these risks.
• Ensure governance and compliance with internal rules, regulations and policies as well as compliance with licensing & tax regulations and accounting principles.
• Be the key escalation point for any operational activities, issues and challenges.

Transformation and Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to global transformation initiatives and the identification of opportunities to optimize resource capacity across Underwriting and Operations functions.
• Build-out operational capabilities to support business growth and ensuring greater efficiency across the organization, based on standardized business processes that promote consistency and transparency, yet are flexible to allow for the unique needs of diverse lines of business and particular requirements of operations found in different geographies.
• Promote and influence the establishment and further build out of AXA XL’s shared service capability.
• Ability to drive a future focused Middle Office function in support of ongoing organizational change.

People

• Recruit, retain, manage and train team members to ensure the successful fulfillment of the Middle Office function, closely partnering with the business.
• Own yearly salary cycle including promotions, merit, bonus, etc. Driving consistency and competitiveness of compensation, benefits, grading, promotions that are in line with AXA XL policies.
• Ensure career progression within and outside of the function.

Budget and Performance

• Responsible for yearly budget and in-year cost control, both for compensation and non-compensation costs. Defining transparent cost allocation methodology and keys towards the internal clients.
• Monitoring performance metrics and reporting accurately towards the Operational performance metrics and taking proactive action to achieve performance targets.
• Driving and establishing a coherent, standardized and reliable framework for performance measurement of all operational activities.

You will report to the Americas Chief Operating Officer.

We’re looking for someone who has these abilities and skills:

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Knowledge and experience in P&C Insurance.
• Deep experience in operations - strong hands-on operational knowledge.
• Experience in driving large projects, including the design and implementation of target operating models to streamline and improve insurance operations. Requires an ability to oversee large process improvements and ensure processes are followed, deadlines are met and internal clients are kept informed.
• A sophisticated appreciation of how technology can be used to enhance operating efficiencies.
• A robust understanding of relevant regulatory issues.
• Experience of working internationally.
• A strategic thinker with a fact-based analytical approach.
• A change agent who will challenge the status quo and constantly strive for improvement.
• Proven ability to operate effectively at the highest levels of an organization and be perceived as a partner to our business leaders.
• Superior interpersonal skills to interact in a global organization equally well with senior executives, a wide range of business clients and build rapport with all levels of the organization.
• Strong cross-cultural awareness and ability to effectively manage a multi-national team.
• A developer of talent and a team builder. An ability to develop team members to assume broader roles within the organization by providing on the job opportunities and/or trainings. Provide coaching for direct reports and high potential employees. Build up strong succession plans for the entire department.

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 strong 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

Diversity & Inclusion

We know that a diverse workforce and inclusive culture enable business growth and are critical to our success. That’s why we have made a strategic commitment to attracting and retaining the most diverse workforce possible, while creating a strong, inclusive culture where everyone is welcome and can contribute and reach their highest potential.

• Named to the Diversity Best Practices Index – 2017, 2018
• Signatory to the CEO Action for Diversity
• Signatory to the UK Women in Finance Charter
• Twelve Colleague Resource Groups around the Globe
• Robust support for Flexible Working Arrangements
• Enhanced family friendly leave benefits

The pay range for this position is $147,000 - $273,000. 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.