Swiss Re
Head Business Architecture L&H Operations (Hybrid; m/f/x/d; 80-100%)
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Head Business Architecture L&H Operations (Hybrid; m/f/x/d; 80-100%)
Are you energised by transforming complexity into clarity? Do you thrive on building high-performing teams, driving accountability, and delivering outcomes that genuinely move the needle? If you’re ready to shape the future of Life & Health Operations on a global scale, this role is for you.
About the Role
This is a high-impact leadership opportunity at the heart of Swiss Re’s L&H Operations. As Head Business Architecture (L&H Operations), you will set the standard for executing across the full treaty life cycle—from onboarding through to claims payments. You will:
- Drive operational excellence with pace and discipline.
- Strengthen governance and quality.
- Build the capabilities, mindset, and execution discipline to enable global Operations teams to consistently deliver for clients, stakeholders, and the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Set the bar for operational rigor and accountability, creating a sustainable, trusted, and resilient Operations function that performs at the highest level.
- Drive process alignment, simplification, and continuous improvement by maintaining a relentless focus on execution, measurable outcomes, and delivery against Operations KPIs.
- Identify, prioritise, and execute operational excellence opportunities, removing friction and accelerating delivery.
- Define standard Operations processes, leading design, testing, execution, and rollout of end-to-end process and system enhancements.
- Own the Operations governance and quality assurance framework, embedding risk appetite, controls, and a proactive risk culture globally.
- Build frameworks and operational discipline, ensuring portfolio data is trusted, usable, and actionable for analytics and decision-making.
- Turn standardisation and automation opportunities into delivered improvements, enabling scalable growth and stronger business performance.
- Build and energise a global community of Operations experts, establishing clear roles, responsibilities, deliverables, and shared standards.
- Create compelling career paths, attracting, developing, and retaining outstanding Operations talent globally.
- Lead and deliver strategic projects and initiatives, ensuring clear ownership, strong stakeholder engagement, and collaboration with regional teams, Market Units, COO, CUO, and partners.
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About the Team
You will lead a global team of 20+ colleagues across key Swiss Re locations, operating closely with Market Units, Operational Excellence, Risk Management, COO, CUO, and worldwide Operations teams. This team functions as a catalyst, driving sharper execution, stronger standards, and practical transformation to turn strategy into measurable business impact.
About You
You are an inspirational, hands-on leader who balances strategic thinking with action. Key traits include:
- The courage to challenge constructively.
- The ability to make pragmatic trade-offs and drive work to completion.
- Strong communication and the capability to build credibility through delivery.
- Motivation to lead diverse global teams with purpose, confidence, and urgency.
Key Requirements:
- Proven track record of leading large, diverse global teams, creating clarity, accountability, and consistent outcomes.
- Strong project and change management expertise, translating strategy into actionable plans, decisive execution, and impactful delivery.
- Operational excellence and process improvement experience, consistently simplifying complexity, raising standards, and delivering measurable improvements.
- Deep experience in governance and quality assurance, including risk management, controls design, and fostering a proactive risk culture.
- Exceptional communication skills and senior stakeholder influence, building followership in matrixed organisations.
Nice-to-Have Skills:
- Experience in Life & Health reinsurance/insurance operations (treaty life cycle, claims, onboarding processes).
- Familiarity with data strategy, portfolio data management, or analytics within Operations. -Experience with automation or digitalisation initiatives in Operations.
- Knowledge of COO/CUO operating models and collaboration with Market Units in a global reinsurance or financial services setting.
- Degree or equivalent in a relevant field.
- Multilingual capabilities (excellent English essential; additional languages beneficial).
- Track record of building expert communities and designing career development frameworks.
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Compensation
For the location of Folkestone, the base salary range for this full-time role is between GBP 108,000 and GBP 162,000. This may be adjusted based on responsibilities, qualifications, and experience.
Additional rewards and benefits may include a performance-based bonus, depending on eligibility.
Swiss Re operates under a hybrid work model, with the expectation that employees will work in the office for at least three days per week.
Note: EU-based candidates may be subjected to visa/l Moyenำน supervisve requirements for which financial support may suffice depending on the candidate’s residency situation * appena deze operative deoze.
About Swiss Re
Swiss Re is a world-class provider of reinsurance, insurance, and risk transfer solutions, working to build global resilience. With a mission of anticipating and managing risks—from natural catastrophes to cybercrime—it serves both Property & Casualty and Life & Health. Its success thrives through over 15,000 employees worldwide, fostering an inclusive culture that embraces diverse perspectives and innovative thinking.
Swiss Re has a clear commitment to equal opportunity, aiming to provide a workplace where everyone thrives professionally regardless of background, identity, or skillset. It encourages return-to-work opportunities for professionals re-entering the workforce.
Swiss Re may utilise AI-powered tools to support application reviews. All hiring decisions remain human-reviewed.
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