At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative projects and design innovative operating models for a global organisation.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking team at Swiss Re, shaping the future of operational excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, and diverse global benefits.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving change and championing digital innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial insurance and strong project management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 83000 £ per year.
Are you a transformation‑driven professional with a passion for reimagining how organisations operate at scale? Do you thrive at the intersection of strategy, innovation, and execution? If so, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact at a global level.
As an Operational Excellence Lead, you will be a key driver of business transformation within a high‑impact, globally connected team. At the core of this role is the opportunity to design and shape new operating models for fast follow and facility schemes—reimagining how these critical commercial insurance structures function end‑to‑end, and setting the standard for how they scale globally. This role places you at the heart of evolving underwriting operating models, enabling the organisation to operate smarter, faster, and more effectively.
You will lead strategic change initiatives, challenge the status quo, and work collaboratively across Lines of Business, Integrated Platforms, and Global Functions to design fit‑for‑purpose operating models that balance local market needs with global consistency. You will also champion digital innovation—including GenAI—to unlock new levels of productivity and deliver measurable, sustainable business impact. This is not a back‑office role—it is a high‑visibility, high‑influence position for someone who is energized by complexity, motivated by outcomes, and committed to shaping the future of how a global organisation operates.
Key Responsibilities- Champion digital innovation and adoption, including the integration of GenAI and emerging technologies to enhance productivity and deliver measurable business impact.
- Lead end‑to‑end transformation initiatives, designing and implementing operating models that balance global consistency with local market needs.
- Drive operational rigor and efficiency by identifying process gaps, designing solutions, and embedding best practices across the organisation.
- Manage and execute complex projects from inception through to delivery, ensuring milestones, timelines, and quality standards are consistently met.
- Engage and align senior stakeholders across Lines of Business, Integrated Platforms, and Global Functions to build consensus and drive change.
- Analyse and optimise underwriting operating models, identifying opportunities to enhance service differentiation, compliance, and user experience.
- Monitor and report on transformation outcomes, using data‑driven insights to track progress, demonstrate value, and inform strategic decisions.
- Collaborate across geographies and functions to ensure initiatives are inclusive of diverse market needs and deliver consistent global impact.
The Operational Model Excellence (OMEX) team is a global transformation function dedicated to evolving end‑to‑end operational models across Lines of Business, Integrated Platforms, and Global Functions. With a mission rooted in driving operational rigor, user relief, and capability building, the team works at the intersection of people, processes, systems, and data—all within a unified framework. OMEX leads business transformation and strategic change initiatives that enhance efficiency, compliance, and service differentiation.
Joining OMEX means becoming part of a forward‑thinking, collaborative, and globally connected team that is actively shaping the future of how the organisation operates. Here, your ideas matter, your expertise is valued, and your work creates real, visible impact.
About YouYou are a strategic thinker and a pragmatic doer—someone who can navigate complexity with confidence, inspire teams and stakeholders, and translate ambitious transformation goals into tangible results. You bring deep domain expertise, a collaborative mindset, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. You demonstrate strong communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to present complex ideas clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences. You are curious about innovation, comfortable with ambiguity, and energized by the opportunity to drive meaningful change in a dynamic, global environment.
Required Qualifications- Deep understanding of the commercial insurance market, including fast follow and facility operating models, with the ability to apply this knowledge to drive relevant and impactful operational change.
- Proven ability to lead and execute projects end‑to‑end, managing scope, stakeholders, timelines, and deliverables in complex, cross‑functional environments.
- Comprehensive knowledge of end‑to‑end underwriting operating models, with experience identifying inefficiencies and designing solutions that enhance performance and compliance.
- Strong expertise in digital innovation and transformation, including familiarity with emerging technologies and the application of tools such as GenAI to drive productivity and business value.
- Demonstrated ability to motivate, engage, and align diverse stakeholders, building trust and consensus across functions, geographies, and seniority levels.
- Experience working within an agile operating model, with the ability to apply agile principles to drive iterative and adaptive transformation.
- A strong background in business and service design and/or business consulting, bringing structured problem‑solving and human‑centred design thinking to operational challenges.
- Familiarity with Lean or other operational excellence methodologies.
- Exposure to data analytics and the use of data‑driven insights to support transformation decisions.
- Experience in capability building, including the development of training materials, frameworks, or knowledge‑sharing tools.
- A track record of delivering change in regulated industries, with an understanding of compliance and risk considerations.
For London the annual base salary range for this position is between GBP 55,000 and GBP 83,000. The specific salary offered considers the requirements, scope, complexity and responsibilities of the role, as well as the applicant's profile, including education, qualifications, expertise, specialisation, skills and experience. In addition to your base salary, Swiss Re offers an attractive performance‑based variable compensation component, designed to recognise your achievements. You will also enjoy a variety of global and location‑specific benefits. Eligibility may vary depending on the terms of Swiss Re policies and your employment contract. Please note that the office hybrid model requires you to be in the office at least three days per week.
Employer StatementSwiss Re welcomes individuals from all backgrounds and encourages diversity and inclusion. We strive to build an inclusive culture that encourages fresh perspectives and innovative thinking. We are committed to providing equal opportunities for all employees regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, skillset, thought or other characteristics. If you are an experienced professional returning to the workforce after a career break, we encourage you to apply for roles that match your skills and experience. We may use AI‑powered tools to support the review and evaluation of applications for this position. All hiring decisions are carefully reviewed and made by people. To learn more about how we use AI in recruitment and how we handle your personal data, please review our Data Privacy Statement before applying.
Operational Excellence Lead (Hybrid, 80- 100% working degree) employer: Swiss Re
Swiss Re is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, making it an ideal place for professionals eager to drive meaningful change in the global insurance landscape. With a strong commitment to employee growth, the company offers diverse opportunities for professional development and champions digital transformation initiatives, including the integration of cutting-edge technologies like GenAI. Located in London, employees benefit from a vibrant work environment that values diversity and inclusion, alongside competitive compensation and a flexible hybrid working model.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operational Excellence Lead (Hybrid, 80- 100% working degree)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your responses and show them you're a perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online platforms. The more comfortable you are speaking about your experiences and skills, the more confident you'll be when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Operational Excellence Lead (Hybrid, 80- 100% working degree)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in operational excellence and transformation. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!
Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your past experiences, focus on the outcomes you achieved. Use metrics and specific examples to illustrate how you’ve driven change and improved processes. We love seeing tangible results!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who’s not just qualified but also a great fit for our team culture. Share your passion for innovation and transformation—this is your chance to stand out!
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our official website. It’s the easiest way for us to review your application and get you into the process smoothly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Swiss Re
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the commercial insurance market, especially fast follow and facility operating models. Brush up on how these models function end-to-end, as you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in driving operational change during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience managing complex projects from start to finish. Prepare examples that highlight how you've handled scope, timelines, and stakeholder engagement, particularly in cross-functional environments. This will show that you're not just a thinker but also a doer.
✨Embrace Digital Innovation
Familiarise yourself with emerging technologies, especially GenAI, and be prepared to discuss how you've used them to enhance productivity in previous roles. Highlight any specific instances where you've championed digital transformation initiatives, as this is a key aspect of the role.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've built consensus and trust among diverse stakeholders in past projects. Be ready to share stories that illustrate your strong communication and storytelling skills, especially when presenting complex ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences.