At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a major project to transform our legacy systems into a modern solution.
- Company: Join Hannover Re UK, a global leader in innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy health initiatives, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values your voice and ideas.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving change and shaping the future of our operations.
- Qualifications: PRINCE2 certification and experience in project management required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
This role is on a 2-year fixed term contract. The first stage of the project will focus on requirements gathering, documentation, and solution testing with the group development team to ensure a business fit solution is delivered. Once the solution is in place, the role ensures that business transition is delivered in a structured and well managed fashion. This role is pivotal in ensuring successful delivery, managing cross‑functional teams, and overseeing the transition from legacy solutions to the new operating model.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Project Planning and Execution
- Implement the UK Single Risk project plan, covering discovery, development, testing, implementation, and transition phases
- Track and manage delivery across multiple teams (Data Management, Actuarial, Operations, IT, Business Development) and workstreams
- Work with the Group Data Operations and Solutions team to manage dependencies
- Ensure milestones, deliverables, and sign‑offs are clearly defined and achieved
- Maintain oversight of scope, changes, and critical path risks
- Give clear and accurate feedback on deliverables to ensure high quality outcomes
- Stakeholder and Team Management
- Establish and run effective project governance
- Engage senior stakeholders across the Business
- Act as the central point of coordination for UK stakeholders
- Provide clear, concise status reporting (progress, risks, issues, dependencies, decisions required)
- Risk, Issue & Dependency Management
- Identify, document, and actively manage delivery risks
- Drive mitigation plans and escalation where required
- Ensure decisions and trade‑offs are documented and agreed
- Planning, Testing & Implementation
- Support UK requirements gathering and ensure traceability throughout build and test
- Oversee testing phases (system testing, UAT, business sign‑off) with clear entry/exit criteria
- Support development of release, cutover, and parallel run plans
- Ensure operational readiness, handover, and BAU ownership are clearly defined
- Resource Oversight
- Support planning and tracking of project resources (internal and external)
- Monitor resourcing risks
- Highlight capacity constraints and propose pragmatic delivery options
About You
Qualifications Required
- PRINCE2 Practitioner (or equivalent project delivery certification)
- Degree (or equivalent experience) in one of the following:
- Business or Finance
- Mathematics, Statistics, or Actuarial adjacent disciplines
- Computer Science, Engineering, or Information Systems
Experience
- Strong project management experience across discovery, build, test, implementation, and migration phases, plus delivery
- Proven experience delivering complex, multi‑year change programmes
- Industry experience in life & health (re)insurance strong preference
- Exposure to data‑led programmes (data platforms, onboarding, reporting, or analytics)
- Experience operating in environments with legacy system transition or decommissioning
Skills
- Strong stakeholder management skills, including senior and non‑technical audiences
- Excellent planning, documentation, and governance skills
- Ability to independently review work produced by others, validating accuracy and completeness, and provide clear, constructive feedback
- Proven skills in managing high‑stress situations and meeting tight deadlines
- Confident communicator with strong written and verbal skills
- Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and strategic thinking capabilities
- Comfortable managing ambiguity and evolving requirements
- Able to challenge constructively and drive decisions
- Commitment to confidentiality and unbiased decision‑making
- Understanding of parallel run and migration approaches
- Advanced proficiency in MS Office suite
Person Specification
- Communicating and Influencing
- Excellent negotiation skills and demonstrated capacity to influence decisions and manage relationships with key stakeholders both in HLRUK (Senior Management team) and across the Group. Adapts communication style depending on audience.
- Problem solving
- Ability to break down complex issues and identify trends, patterns and interdependencies. Pragmatic approach to assessing risks when developing solutions.
- Delivery and Accountability
- Accountable for individual and team deliveries to support the overall Branch objectives. Creates an environment where challenge is expected and encouraged and holds individuals accountable for same. Efficient and responsive ensuring deadlines are met.
- Innovation and Continuous Improvement
- Creates an environment where new ideas and solutions are encouraged. Continuously strives for process improvement.
- Developing Capability and Knowledge Sharing
- Actively develops and enables the team acting as a role model and mentor.
- Customer Focus
- Develops a deep understanding of the complexities of the customer business in order to implement ideas and technical expertise. Ensures that customer feedback is actioned and customer satisfaction maintained.
- Team Player
- Focuses on building and maintaining a positive team culture and developing cross‑functional relationships. Embraces diversity of thought, ideas and skills to engage the team and deliver objectives.
Life at Hannover Re UK Atmosphere
Work in a global team that values innovation, agile decision‑making and mutual respect. We challenge convention, encourage open feedback and foster a community where everyone’s voice matters.
Benefits
From structured onboarding to a comprehensive range of benefits, we invest in your well‑being every step of the way. Our offerings include health and wellness initiatives, personal and professional development opportunities and a support system designed to help you thrive in all aspects of your growth and daily life.
Prospects
Bring your expertise and curiosity – here, you’ll have the space to drive change and own your ideas. We’ll keep you engaged with fresh challenges, mentorship, skill‑building opportunities and the freedom to shape your path.
Director Business Development employer: Hannover Re
At Hannover Re UK, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and mutual respect. Our commitment to employee well-being is reflected in our comprehensive benefits package, which includes health initiatives and professional development opportunities, ensuring that you have the support needed to thrive. Located in a dynamic environment, we offer the chance to engage with fresh challenges and drive meaningful change, making it an ideal place for those looking to advance their careers while contributing to impactful projects.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director Business Development
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or at industry events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Director of Business Development role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. We want you to be able to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around project management and stakeholder engagement. Show them you’re the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You need to be able to clearly articulate your experience in managing complex projects and leading teams. We suggest rehearsing with a friend or in front of a mirror to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. We recommend mentioning something specific from your conversation to remind them why you’re the best candidate for the job.
We think you need these skills to ace Director Business Development
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Director Business Development role. Highlight your project management experience and how it aligns with the job description. We want to see how your skills fit into our vision!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. Use metrics where possible to quantify your success. This helps us understand the value you can bring to our team.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it's relevant. We appreciate clarity, and it makes it easier for us to see your qualifications at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hannover Re
✨Know Your Project Management Framework
Make sure you’re well-versed in PRINCE2 or any equivalent project delivery certification. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these methodologies in past projects, especially in managing complex, multi-year change programmes.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've engaged with senior stakeholders and managed relationships across different teams. Highlight your ability to adapt your communication style based on the audience, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Be ready to tackle hypothetical scenarios that require you to break down complex issues. Show how you identify trends and interdependencies, and discuss your pragmatic approach to risk assessment when developing solutions.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Illustrate your experience in building positive team cultures and maintaining cross-functional relationships. Share specific instances where you’ve embraced diversity of thought and how it contributed to successful project outcomes.
