Head of Information Technology Full Time

XL CATLIN

Job Description – Head of Information Technology (R1D)

Location: London, UK

As the Head of Information Technology, you will play a critical role in leading the IT department and shaping technology strategy for the Reinsurance business. This position will oversee the company’s technology operations, maintain the Company’s IT core applications and tools to support business operations and strategic objectives. You will be responsible for leveraging data assets to support business growth, improve operational efficiency, and support strategic decision-making. You will have the opportunity to drive and impact innovation within our company contributing to its continued success and growth.

Essential Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the IT and Data strategy aligned to the goals and objectives for the Reinsurance segment.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the Re IT team, setting clear goals and performance expectations.
• Accountable to create a business focused, scalable and cost optimal Re IT operating model that is adaptive to change and continually improves.
• Implement a vendor strategy that enables cost effective and predictable delivery of change and run services to the business.

IT Application / Data Delivery

• Lead the development and execution of the Reinsurance Data Strategy that is aligned with overall business strategy.
• Partner with the business to formulate and drive strategic Data, Digital and AI initiatives from conceptualization to production in support of business growth and create a competitive advantage.
• Collaborate with Innovation Data and Analytics (IDA) team on execution of Reinsurance data opportunities.
• Accountable for change delivery and end to end application delivery to ensure effective Project delivery that is on time, to budget and scope.
• Create a cost-effective delivery model that is agile and able to flex with changing business demand.
• Run an effective PMO to ensure effective control and effectiveness of change delivery.

IT Infrastructure & Operations

• Deliver cost effective application support services – delivering appropriate levels of production stability and audit compliance.
• Maintain the currency of the Reinsurance IT estate and where appropriate that it is aligned with the divisional IT strategy e.g. moving applications to the cloud environment.
• Ensure that business cases for application investments, such as technology upgrades, productivity tools, and continuous service improvement initiatives are developed and adequately funded.
• Partner with AXA XL Global Technology to ensure availability of the IT infrastructure, networks, data centres, integration to Cloud to support the Reinsurance IT Applications, Tools, Data & MI.

Security and Compliance

• Partner with Information Security to ensure Reinsurance IT adheres to AXA XL and AXA Group Security policies.
• Partner with AXA XL DPO and Compliance to ensure the Reinsurance IT estate complies with GDPR policies and all relevant regulations and industry standards.

Technology Innovation, Data and Integration

• Develop and drive IT and Data initiatives that advances and builds on the Digital Reinsurer agenda in support of business objectives.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to identify and evaluate technologies including Artificial Intelligence to enhance operational efficiency and competitive advantage.
• Lead the integration of new technologies and tools to support business ambitions to deepen use of data and analytics in decision making.
• Maintain awareness of innovations within AXA XL to identify and action opportunities with utility for the Reinsurance segment.
• Maintain awareness of innovation in the marketplace including competitor activity ensuring technology at AXA XL Re remains appropriate and relevant.
• In collaboration with Procurement, responsible for robust vendor management to ensure cost efficient IT support with removal of underperformance when appropriate.
• Manage relationships with external IT service providers to ensure quality and cost-effective delivery of IT services.

Budget & Resource Management

• Develop and manage the Reinsurance IT budget, optimizing resource allocations to maximize value for the Reinsurance segment.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Significant IT and business/industry work experience, including experience in managing diverse teams or projects, and influencing senior level management and key stakeholders.
• Demonstrable ability to solve complex problems/issues.
• Excellent communications skills which are adapted to different audiences and can effectively drive consensus within the Reinsurance function.
• Adept at vendor management, both commercially and interpersonally, with a clear understanding of T&M, Managed Services, and Managed Outcome commercial models through both waterfall and agile delivery models.
• Ability to articulate problems, create solutions, and present analysis with proper detail and rigor for the target audience.
• Thought leader in implementing best practices with experience leading teams through change.
• Expert knowledge of application development and testing process using various software delivery methods (waterfall, agile, etc.) with background in application development.
• Adaptable to new/different strategies, programs, technologies, practices, cultures, etc. Comfortable with change, able to easily make transitions.
• Experience / capability in financial forecasting and business case justification.
• Previous experience leading development and delivery teams in delivering high quality, low defect solutions.
• Highly advanced analytical abilities with operational vision.
• Proven experience with establishing relationships cross functionally with strong stakeholder management.
• Proven planning and organization skills, creating own work schedules, prioritizing workload, preparing in advance and setting realistic timescales.

Desired Skills and Abilities

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in IT management, including experience with AI infrastructure.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical abilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

AXA XL is an Equal Opportunity Employer.