Risk Manager - Operational Risk in London

AXA XL is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

London, UK / Ipswich, UK

Are you an experienced leader, risk professional with specialist operational risk expertise looking for your next role? How would you like to work for a dynamic global business that takes an active approach to risk management? At AXA XL, we see risk management as an important means of supporting value creation for our customers and our business and an integral part of the service delivery offered. AXA XL is a leading property and casualty insurer and reinsurer. Our insurance and reinsurance companies provide property, casualty, professional and specialty insurance products to industrial, commercial and professional firms, insurance companies and other enterprises around the world. With about 7,000 employees, we have more than 100 offices and we operate in 29 countries.

AXA XL is looking for an Operational Risk Manager to join the Risk Governance, Internal Control and Operational Risk Centre of Excellence team. The successful candidate will assist AXA XL to continue embedding a forward-looking, robust risk management culture across the business and ensure existing and emerging threats are identified, understood and managed within appetites in order to support the delivery of the business strategy. The candidate will have excellent communication skills and work with teams across the globe on a daily basis.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead various initiatives and continue to mature the Operational risk framework and methodology at AXA XL, including the qualitative Risk Assessment.
• Complete the quantitative Operational Risk scenarios in line with AXA Group requirements, including supporting documentation, and provide input into the AXA XL Internal Model.
• Lead Operational risk loss event reporting and promotion of risk awareness and culture of risk management across the Division. Review and analyse root causes of loss events and recommend actions to prevent future occurrences.
• Provide guidance and support to legal entity Risk Managers to ensure robust application of the Operational risk methodology across the Division.
• Engage in discussions with the business to continually ensure appropriate monitoring of the Operational risk profile and developing risk mitigation strategies, including that on emerging risks, action completion, incidents and key risks indicators. Work with business units to develop and implement risk mitigation plans to minimise operational risks and ensure compliance with risk appetite thresholds.
• Produce reporting and elevate Operational risk issues.
• Collaborate with Information risk and Internal control, as well as other functions (including for example, Compliance, Operational Resilience), to ensure robust and holistic view of Operational risk is presented.
• Engage with AXA Group, as required, on Operational Risk topics.
• Represent Operational Risk Management at various Committee meetings as required.
• Engage in key projects run by Risk Governance, Internal Control and Operational Risk team.
• Engage in Operational risk Second Opinion Reviews and influence senior management in action closure to mitigate key risks.
• Support the usage of the risk management tool within AXA XL, including ensuring data quality related to Operational risk information.

You will report to Head of Operational Risk.

What you’ll bring:

Required Skills and Abilities:

• You demonstrate leadership qualities and are able to work resiliently to deliver high-quality outputs.
• You are an expert and will have a solid understanding and practical experience of operational risk frameworks.
• Effective analytical skills to review data to ensure understanding of operational risk exposures and trends.
• Proficiency in utilising risk management tools and systems.
• You will need to demonstrate excellent report writing skills, along with having a robust commercial acumen.
• This role will require communication with a wide array of stakeholders from Board Level Directors, Leadership Team members, the business, so outstanding stakeholder management skills at all levels is a necessity. Ability to find and agree pragmatic solutions in conjunction with stakeholders.
• Robust experience of risk management in the second line as well as experience of dealing with difficult situations, particularly in the context of managing risks.

Desired Skills and Abilities:

• Languages: English (fluent, verbally and written). French would be an advantage.
• Pro-active in obtaining appropriate training, both in soft skills and hard skills.
• You are collaborative, team working and passionate about creating a positive work culture.