Group Head of Operational Risk

Overview

In this role you will lead the Group Operational Risk Framework, shaping how AXIS identifies and manages risk across the enterprise. You’ll provide independent oversight to executive leadership and the Board, driving a forward-looking, consistently applied risk model. You will align risk activity with board appetite and regulatory expectations while embedding strong risk ownership across functions. You’ll work with cross‑border teams to strengthen resilience, governance, and decision‑making in a complex, regulated environment. This is a strategic, impact‑driven opportunity to influence risk culture and regulatory readiness at scale.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve the Group Operational Risk Framework and strategy, ensuring alignment with enterprise RMF, business strategy, board appetite and regulatory requirements
• Set Group-wide priorities for operational risk activity and strengthen first-line risk ownership through guidance, training and talent development
• Provide independent second-line oversight across business units, highlighting material exposures, control weaknesses, trends and vulnerabilities
• Define and embed forward-looking approaches for key and emerging operational risks (cyber, AI, third-party/outsourcing, technology, resilience)
• Ensure consistent identification, assessment, governance and reporting of operational risks and controls across the Group (KRIs, risk assessments, reviews, deep dives)
• Lead the Group risk event process including escalation, root cause analysis, action management, lessons learned and trend reporting
• Chair the quarterly Operational Risk Committee, overseeing agenda and reporting for informed discussion and decisions
• Own the Group GRC platform for operational risk (Riskonnect), including data quality, enhancements and risk information use
• Lead development of operational risk scenario analysis and input into internal model, ORSA and broader ERM activity
• Lead responses to regulatory reviews on operational risk and maintain alignment with expectations across jurisdictions (USA, Bermuda, UK/Lloyd’s, Ireland)
• Perform additional duties as appropriate to the role

Key requirements

• Experience leading operational risk within a complex, regulated insurance or reinsurance organisation with capacity to set strategic direction
• Detailed knowledge of operational risk frameworks (RCA, risk appetite, KRIs, risk events, scenario analysis, controls, governance reporting)
• Ability to translate complex risk information into clear executive recommendations
• Ability to operate across multiple businesses, entities and jurisdictions with balance between group standards and local application
• Knowledge of regulatory expectations for operational risk and resilience and ability to lead regulatory responses
• Influence and partnership skills with first line and independence as a second-line function
• Leadership capability to set priorities, manage resources and develop risk capability globally
• Experience using and owning a governance, risk and compliance platform to improve risk data, workflow and reporting
• Experience in risk data and reporting
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills

• Influence and stakeholder management
• Strategic thinking
• Independent judgment
• Operational Risk Framework
• Risk governance and reporting
• Risk appetite and KRIs

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