CEO and Head of Reinsurance Operations Europe

Role Overview

This is a dual role as Chief Executive Officer for CLReI dac and Head of Reinsurance Operations Europe with responsibility for the strategic development, leadership, operational excellence and day to day oversight of Canada Life Reinsurance’s (CLRe) Dublin location. CLRe Dublin is the centre of excellence for European life and annuity, Asia Pacific and Global P&C reinsurance.

As the Head of Reinsurance Operations Europe, you will have responsibility for leading a high-performance operating environment through the coordination of functional and business activities to ensure delivery of CLRe’s ambitions for revenue generation, operational effectiveness and talent management.

The individual will be a member of the Senior Leadership Team of CLRe which has 360 staff generating C$900M earnings per year. As CEO and Director of CLReI dac you will have primary responsibility to ensure CLReI dac is effectively and efficiently managed in line with regulatory requirements and CRS objectives.

This role requires a combination of strong leadership, business acumen, strategic oversight, analytical and project management skills as well as the ability to collaborate with and influence cross-functional teams at the most senior level. The role will partner with the senior leadership team to drive positive sustainable change recognising the importance of brilliant basics.

The individual will be responsible for building on CLRe’s high performance culture with a focus on continuous improvement and performance excellence. They will be a charismatic and inspirational leader who understands the importance of our people and embodies the values that underpin our culture. They work closely with the Head of People and Culture to attract, develop and retain high calibre talent while enhancing the overall employee experience. The individual will have a growth mindset and strong emotional intelligence. They will instil discipline and accountability across the company and adapt to changing priorities as they arise.

The is a permanent role based in Dublin and will involve international travel.
 

Responsibilities

• As a key member of the global reinsurance executive team, establish and refine the global CRS strategy by driving and leading strategic initiatives specific to the Dublin and European locations.
• Lead the Dublin leadership team, fostering a strong sense of accountability while empowering the teams to fulfil the local and global mandate.
• Translate the business strategy and vision into tangible deliverables that are cascaded down to every team and individual.
• Lead and oversee all aspects of the CLRe Dublin strategy relative to people and culture, technology, infrastructure and process improvement in line with CLRe’s global strategy and vision.
• Act as the Head of Office for the Dublin location.
• Maintain a strong, collaborative network between the Dublin office and CLRe’s global operations.
• Lead by example ensuring our vision and values are communicated regularly and continue to guide the behaviours of our people.
• Develop and enhance the operational effectiveness and capabilities of the Dublin location.
• Lead and sponsor process improvement initiatives within the Dublin office.
• Lead the Dublin Operations team that is responsible for inforce client management and reporting.
• Ensure effective coordination of business and functional activities to drive business results.

Leadership

• Act as an inspirational role model to develop and foster a culture of performance excellence based on
• accountability, discipline and continuous improvement.
• Manage the complexities of a hybrid working office placing importance on effective leadership, communication,
• openness and in-person collaboration.
• Ensure the people and culture strategy is aligned to the company’s brand, values and business objectives.
• Ensure the performance management system is aligned with our drive for performance excellence.
• Ensure appropriate frameworks are in place to enhance the long-term sustainability of the division including
• talent management, succession planning and resource planning to meet the future needs of the business.
• Develop, mentor and coach leaders and managers to reach their full potential.
• Ensure that brilliant basics are in place in all facets of the business.
• Challenge the status quo in the matrix environment and identify opportunities to streamline inefficiencies and
• implement positive change.
• Oversee the employee engagement results and work with the business and HR to identify and implement
• action plans with dedicated owners and follow up.

Other

• Discharge such other duties consistent with the position of Chief Executive Officer and Director as may be
• required from time to time by the Board.
• Prepare and present insightful, concise management reporting to enable the Board and its Committees to
• discharge their responsibilities effectively.
• Effective representation of the business in third party interactions with regulators, government, industry bodies,
• business partners and media.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of insurance and reinsurance market and trends
• Operational knowledge and awareness of drivers of success (including technology and process improvement)
• Financial knowledge and drivers of cash, profit and capital
• Product knowledge
• Knowledge and understanding of requirements of different stakeholders
• Awareness of other markets and trends
• A well-rounded understanding of the drivers of sustainable growth and success

Skills

• Strong leadership skills with a growth and agile mindset
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Strong organisational and planning capability
• Disciplined and focused on accountability and delivery of results
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Good networker

Experience

• Experience in life assurance, pensions or reinsurance market, ideally international experience (reinsurance
• experience preferred)
• Experience in a senior leadership role
• Experience dealing with key clients and distributors
• Experience dealing with complex financial statements and / or risk management on complex business
• Experience in a regulated role
• Experience of presenting at committee and Board level
• Experience of leading a complex and multi-functional team in a matrix environment

Personal Characteristics

• Strong emotional intelligence and a high level of self-awareness
• Strategic thinker who welcomes diversity of thought and challenges the status quo
• Creative problem solver
• Integrity and ethical
• Courage and tenacity
• Influential

Technical Competency

• Actuarial background beneficial but not essential, financial qualification essential
• Technically astute with an innovative mindset