At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global insurance programmes and collaborate with senior teams on risk management.
- Company: Join DS Smith, a forward-thinking company redefining packaging solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, private healthcare, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for travel across EMEA.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic role with global reach and diverse challenges.
- Qualifications: Must have risk management experience and strong financial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Insurance Risk to join our Group Team at our Paddington headquarters. Our team works collaboratively with corporate functions, divisional leaders, and the wider business on a day-to-day basis to protect the financial integrity of the Group. Our team is fuelled by curious minds from diverse backgrounds, and this is an incredible time to join us at DS Smith.
This role will focus on leading the global development, negotiation, and implementation of our insurance programmes, data systems, and loss prevention initiatives. You will be communicating with the business and acting as the primary point of contact for our insurable risk profile, M&A risk assessments, and high-value claims management. This role will partner with senior internal teams on commercial projects and initiatives, offering a fantastic opportunity to build relationships across a global footprint, working closely with executive officers, functional directors, and strategic global insurance providers.
A successful candidate must be a proven self-starter and commercial leader, who is comfortable with pro-actively communicating directly, working collaboratively, and liaising at all levels.
Key responsibilities- Programme Management: Develop and execute the group’s global insurance portfolio (Property, Liability, Cyber, Marine, and Credit), securing optimal coverage and pricing through scale.
- Risk Strategy & Retention: Define and manage risk transfer vs. retention strategies, including the optimisation of deductibles, SIRs, and the financial governance of captive insurers.
- Loss Prevention & Data Analytics: Lead the development of our Loss Prevention Information Systems, risk information collection and collation processes, establishing data standards and leveraging analytics to identify emerging risk trends.
- Claims Optimisation: Oversee all claims management and coordination to ensure efficient handling and timely recoveries, including legacy disease-related claims.
- Commercial Partnering: Assess the insurance implications of M&A, disposals, and new ventures, while supporting commercial contract reviews to validate insurance requirements.
- Market Relationship Management: Build and manage strategic relationships with global brokers, insurers, and loss adjusters to enhance operational delivery and strengthen placement negotiations.
- Professionally qualified (ACII or FCII) or equivalent.
- Demonstrable progressive risk management experience within a multinational corporate, global broker or major insurer.
- Extensive knowledge of international insurance markets, captive structures, and industrial manufacturing risk profiles.
- Strong financial acumen with a proven track record of optimising broker engagement and leading complex placements.
- Proven ability to translate complex risk matters into business outcomes and influence cross-functional stakeholders.
- Competitive salary.
- Discretionary bonus.
- Car allowance.
- Private healthcare.
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
- Pension scheme, life assurance and income protection.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Employee Discounts.
- Cycle to work scheme.
This is a hybrid role, split between the London Paddington office (3 days) and home (2 days) – however flexibility will be required at times including business travel across EMEA.
To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas, and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.
Head of Insurance Risk employer: DS Smith Europe
At DS Smith, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at our Paddington headquarters where collaboration and innovation thrive. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits including private healthcare and a generous holiday allowance, and a culture that values diversity and inclusion. Join us to lead impactful insurance risk strategies while building meaningful relationships across a global network, all within a supportive and flexible hybrid working model.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Insurance Risk
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the insurance and risk management sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their insurance programmes and risk strategies. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Head of Insurance Risk, you’ll need to convey complex ideas clearly. Try mock interviews with friends or use online platforms to refine your pitch and get comfortable discussing your experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Insurance Risk
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Insurance Risk role. Highlight your risk management experience and any relevant qualifications, like ACII or FCII, to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've led insurance programmes or managed complex claims in the past.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves liaising with various stakeholders, make sure to demonstrate your communication prowess in your application. Use clear, concise language and provide examples of how you've effectively communicated complex risk matters.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at DS Smith!
How to prepare for a job interview at DS Smith Europe
✨Know Your Insurance Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of international insurance markets, captive structures, and industrial manufacturing risk profiles. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the basics but are ready to lead the global development of insurance programmes.
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
Prepare to discuss your experience in optimising broker engagement and leading complex placements. Bring specific examples of how you've successfully managed risk transfer vs. retention strategies, as this will demonstrate your strong financial acumen and ability to translate complex risk matters into business outcomes.
✨Build Relationships Before You Even Start
Think about how you can build strategic relationships with global brokers, insurers, and loss adjusters. During the interview, share your approach to relationship management and how you plan to enhance operational delivery and strengthen placement negotiations in this role.
✨Be Ready for Collaborative Scenarios
Since this role involves working closely with executive officers and functional directors, prepare for questions that assess your collaborative skills. Think of examples where you've successfully partnered with senior teams on commercial projects, and be ready to discuss how you can bring that experience to DS Smith.
