Global Practice Lead Technical Accounting

Company: Swiss Re
Location: Kansas City
Posted on: January 27, 2023

Job Description:

To drive our growth agenda the global Operational Excellence team is looking for a Global Practice Lead Technical Accounting Transformation, reporting into Global Head Operational Excellence.If you bring (1) a firm understanding of Technical Accounting (TA) in either direct commercial insurance or the Financial industry, have (2) experience of TA system and process landscape and are a (3) welcoming, convincing and including leader, then this role is tailored to you.You will be leading one of the global practices at Operational Excellence. The direction for this role is to establish and further develop the Technical Accounting function and its capabilities as a direct commercial insurer - on processes, systems and people/culture. The role as Global Practice Lead is to shape this operating model and to streamline processes and systems globally - including fundamentally advancing the existing setup.About the role & team setupYou own, that Corporate Solution's Technical Accounting practices are optimal at global scale. In essence, it is your responsibility that a) technical cashflow, payment processing and premium collection capabilities are effectively setup, managed and adhered to. And b) that technical accounting as a capability will be further advanced and developed.You are accountable forcreating and aligning the global Technical Accounting strategy,ensuring the operational model is designed and delivers most efficient and effective technical accounting operations,targets for the technical accounting metrics and scorecards are being met, andensuring our technical accounting processes and operations are compliantTogether with a global team, which sits partially in Operational Excellence centrally (for "build" and governance topics), partially in so called Regional Service Operations centres (for "run" topics), and partially in Digital & Emerging Technology or Finance, you will work across Corporate Solutions, to ensure there are robust policies and processes in place to serve the business to ensure growth expectations can be achieved and drive the necessary ongoing transformational change.You will work across organizational boundaries and dealing with further optimization of our technical accounting processes, transactional outsourcing and further aspects that impact our operational model.Main responsibilities and ownershipsMain cornerstones of the roleLeading the Technical Accounting practice for CorSo globally together with the Regional Service Operations centres, which manage Technical Accounting regionallyDefining and shaping the Technical Accounting strategy and further development, be an integral part of the Process Excellence community and work with the regions to ensure a supporting target operational model, structure, metrics and process & system landscape.Product Owner of Technical Accounting specific systems or system elementsEnsure a robust control environment and work with Operational Risk and Compliance and the COOs in the Regions to ensure the key operational risks are covered and we have an effective control environment.Be a leader and partner to Operations and Finance in the regions in supporting them in managing Technical Accounting in an effective, efficient and compliant manner taking into account Group standards and regulatory requirements.Establish an operational excellence framework to drive continuous improvement and the standardization of our operational risk management and compliance approach for our comprehensive, standard and international businessManage, maintain and engage a network of regional Practice LeadsSelected action areas of the roleWork with Regions to ensure Technical Accounting operations are optimal to collect our outstanding balances in time of the agreed KPIShaping, defining and further evolving the Technical Accounting operational model and working with the regions, to drive global process harmonization at an operator level and improvement opportunities.Regularly reviews and where possible aligns and documents global improvement opportunities and ensures these are reflected in SOPs and control frameworkEnsure global/local SOPs (through regional practice leads) are aligned with functional guidelinesSet global KPI and MBO that ensure delivery of robust, efficient and effective premium collectionAs a functional owner and domain expert, work with OpEx Digital & Emerging Technology, Chief Innovation & Transformation Office and Information Technology to bring innovative digital solutions into our Technical Accounting processes and further evolve our technical capabilities/system landscape for Technical AccountingBe a digital champion, collect ideas to further digitalize and innovate our Technical Accounting processes, define business cases and champion the implementation of new digital solutionsDefining and monitoring of Technical Accounting metrics, ensuring targets are being met and agree corrective actions with the Regions when targets are not being metEnsure RCSA controls cover key risks and are being monitored regularly and work with Operations Risk and Compliance in quarterly RSCA sign-off and solving issuesDesign and work with regions to ensure there are business continuity plans in place and tested regularly.Work with the regions to ensure adequate staffing levels is in place to deliver the expected targets and KPIs for Technical AccountingBe a mentor, coach, expert and trusted partner for the Technical Accounting teams in the regions.Position requirementsYou have a high tolerance for ambiguity and a track record in Process Excellence/Process Improvement and/or other relevant enterprise transformational roles. Developing a topic from a vague starting point to a structured problem statement, building consensus, identifying and triggering decision paths and driving the topic to completion independently comes natural to you. Experience in facilitating different levels of conversations as a strong communicator will help you in initiating and orchestrating improvement work. You distil and present topics appropriate for all levels of stakeholders and collaborate across all associated functions, regions and hierarchies.You enjoy problem solving, are very structured, detail oriented, build up your own knowledge and expertise in a topic systematically, gather facts and build consensus. You are proficient in engaging at senior management level and in creating high-profile executive management presentations, are a highly self-motivated, dedicated individual that is comfortable in dealing globally with different counterparts and cultures. In this global role 'own the way you work' is critical.Since stakeholder engagement and long-term process adherence as well as connecting dots across multiple communities and stakeholders is a vital part of your role, a welcoming and convincing personality is almost crucial to fulfilling this role. You have a proven track record of stakeholder engagement at multiple levels, are a strong listener, you are able to synthesize what's behind being told and you enjoy encouraging others to move along a common goal.Must haveTechnical Accounting background in either Corporate Commercial Insurance or in Financial Industry (with the ability to translate experience to Corporate Commercial Insurance)At least 5+ years of experience in Process Excellence/Process Improvement/Continuous Improvement/TransformationDeep knowledge of Technical Accounting and Cash Management practices, regulatory environment, business know-how and relevant experience in operations or business function supporting cash collectionPlease note, relevant commercial insurance/financial industry background as well as significant process reengineering/transformation experience is a must. Candidates without this background will be declined immediately - thank you for your understanding.Should havePassionate to explore new ways and challenge the status quo by continually seeking improvement opportunitiesHands-on leader and driver of implementation efforts globallyStrong customer focus with developed conflict management skillsComfortable working across different regions, cultures and time zonesStrong communication and presentation skills and proficient in PowerPointStrong analytical skills and advanced with ExcelExperience with enterprise-wide and/or cross-functional change initiatives with a high degree of complexityAbility to quickly assimilate to new knowledge and continuous improvement mindset, strong organizing and structuring skills with attention to detailA project management and change management leader in planning, structuring, leading and completing cross-functional, global projectsAn excellent manager of partnerships and able to overcome resistance, drive initiative teams and ensure timely deliveryCould haveExperience in an Operational Risk Management or governanceAgile, Lean or Six Sigma certificationProject & Change Management certificationsWe are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.About Swiss Re Corporate Solutions Swiss Re is one of the world's leading providers of reinsurance, insurance and other forms of insurance-based risk transfer. We anticipate and manage risks, from natural catastrophes and climate change to cybercrime.Swiss Re Corporate Solutions is the commercial insurance arm of the Swiss Re Group. We offer innovative insurance solutions to large and midsized multinational corporations from our approximately 50 locations worldwide. We help clients mitigate their risk exposure, whilst our industry-leading claims service provides them with additional peace of mind.Our success depends on our ability to build an inclusive culture encouraging fresh perspectives and innovative thinking. Swiss Re Corporate Solutions embraces a workplace where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive and develop professionally regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, skillset, thought or other characteristics. In our inclusive and flexible environment everyone can bring their authentic selves to work. #LI-HybridKeywords: Reference Code: 123042

Keywords: Swiss Re, Kansas City , Global Practice Lead Technical Accounting, Other , Kansas City, Kansas