Swiss Re

Operational Excellence & Risk Expert

Swiss Re • $108K — $162K *
Finance & Insurance
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Deep knowledge of Life & Health Operations and the end-to-end treaty lifecycle.
  • Proven experience leading process improvement, transformation, or operational excellence initiatives with measurable outcomes.
  • Hands-on experience in process design, technology solutions, and/or data analytics to drive operational performance.
  • Strong project and change management capabilities, with a track record of delivering complex initiatives on time.
  • Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and drive outcomes without direct authority, across diverse and matrixed environments.

Responsibilities

  • Lead process improvement initiatives that simplify and strengthen Life & Health Operations.
  • Identify and implement solutions that elevate efficiency, scalability, service quality, and operational effectiveness.
  • Promote a culture of continuous improvement and simplification across the organization.
  • Champion sound operational risk management practices across Operations.
  • Support governance, control effectiveness, issue management, and root cause analysis.
  • Lead and support operational transformation and change initiatives from concept through to embedding.
  • Partner with business and technology teams to improve system integrations and data flows.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to shape operations at a global leader in reinsurance.
  • Collaborative team environment with diverse perspectives and expertise.
  • Support for continuous learning and professional development.
  • Hybrid work model with office attendance three days a week.
Full Job Description
About the Role

As an Operational Excellence & Risk Expert at Swiss Re, you'll be at the heart of meaningful change. You'll lead initiatives that sharpen operational effectiveness across the Life & Health treaty lifecycle, working alongside some of the brightest minds in Operations, Risk, Technology, and Business Architecture. This role is your opportunity to shape how Swiss Re delivers scalable, efficient, and well-controlled operations - and to leave a lasting impact on a global leader in reinsurance.

Key Responsibilities

Drive Operational Excellence
  • Lead process improvement initiatives that simplify and strengthen Life & Health Operations.
  • Identify and implement solutions that elevate efficiency, scalability, service quality, and operational effectiveness.
  • Promote a culture of continuous improvement and simplification across the organization.


Strengthen Risk & Controls
  • Champion sound operational risk management practices across Operations.
  • Support governance, control effectiveness, issue management, and root cause analysis.
  • Promote proactive awareness and management of key operational risks.


Enable Transformation
  • Lead and support operational transformation and change initiatives from concept through to embedding.
  • Drive adoption of new processes, technologies, and ways of working.
  • Ensure improvements are sustainable and deeply embedded within Operations.


Advance Technology-Enabled Operations
  • Partner with business and technology teams to improve system integrations and data flows.
  • Leverage automation, digital solutions, and analytics to boost performance and reduce risk.


Influence Across Stakeholder Networks
  • Build strong partnerships across Operations, Risk, Internal Audit, Market Units, and COO functions.
  • Communicate effectively with operational, technical, and leadership audiences.
  • Influence decisions through fact-based analysis and practical recommendations.


About the Team

You'll join a dynamic and collaborative team of 90+ professionals spread across North America - a group that brings diverse perspectives, deep expertise, and a shared commitment to excellence. Together, we partner closely with Market Units, Risk Management, Internal Audit, and COO functions to drive operational excellence and ensure Swiss Re's Life & Health business operates with precision, resilience, and agility. We're a team that values curiosity, continuous learning, and the courage to challenge the status quo - and we're looking for someone who shares that spirit.

About You

You are a strategic yet hands-on professional who thrives on solving complex business challenges and delivering results that matter. You bring strong operational expertise, a continuous improvement mindset, and a natural ability to build trust and influence across organizational boundaries. You're equally comfortable diving into the details and stepping back to see the big picture - and you know how to bring people along on the journey.

We are looking for candidates who meet these requirements:
  • Deep knowledge of Life & Health Operations and the end-to-end treaty lifecycle.
  • Proven experience leading process improvement, transformation, or operational excellence initiatives with measurable outcomes.
  • Hands-on experience in process design, technology solutions, and/or data analytics to drive operational performance.
  • Strong project and change management capabilities, with a track record of delivering complex initiatives on time.
  • Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and drive outcomes without direct authority, across diverse and matrixed environments.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience supporting operational risk, audit, compliance, or control improvement initiatives.
  • Experience with automation, digital transformation, or process optimization.
  • Lean, Six Sigma, Change Management, Business Architecture, or related certifications.
  • College degree or equivalent professional experience.
  • Experience working in a global, matrixed environment


he estimated base salary range for this position is $108,000 to $162,000. The specific salary offered for this, or any given role will take into account a number of factors including but not limited to job location, scope of role, qualifications, complexity/specialization/scarcity of talent, experience, education, and employer budget. At Swiss Re, we take a "total compensation approach" when making compensation decisions. This means that we consider all components of compensation in their totality (such as base pay, short-and long-term incentives, and benefits offered), in setting individual compensation.

Our company operates under a hybrid work model, with the expectation that employees will work from the office three days per week every week.

Please note that this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship/visa transfers/visa extension or relocation support.

Keywords:
Reference Code: 139466

About Swiss Re

Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd, commonly known as Swiss Re, is a reinsurance company based in Zurich, Switzerland. It is the world's second-largest reinsurer, after Munich Re. Swiss Re provides insurance and reinsurance products and services to customers globally. The company operates through four segments: Property & Casualty Reinsurance, Life & Health Reinsurance, Corporate Solutions, and Admin Re. Swiss Re has a long history, dating back to 1863, and has grown to become a leading player in the global insurance and reinsurance industry. The company is committed to sustainability and has set ambitious targets to reduce its carbon footprint and promote renewable energy.
Learn more about Swiss Re
Size
13,189 employees
Industry
NASDAQ

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