Head of Risk Management

We have a fantastic opportunity for a senior leader to join the Risk team as a Head of Risk Management as part of the Aviva Life and Pensions Ireland (ALPI) team and the Aviva Group Risk Function. The Head of Risk Management is a senior leader on the second-line risk team, working directly with the CRO, accountable for reviewing and challenging financial, ESG, insurance and operational risk activity in respect of the ALPI business. They will support the CRO in the continued embedment of ALPI’s Risk Management Framework, and will provide tangible independent Risk insight, challenge and opinion on the aggregate risk profile, and report and communicate these at the highest level. 

The role holder will support the ALPI growth agenda by ensuring safe delivery of transformation through the application and organisation of risk partnership across the portfolio. They will also drive the agenda of the ALPI Risk function through leadership of a team of senior risk managers. 

Duties & Responsibilities: 

• As a senior leader in ALPI, be visible in driving and ensuring effective risk management throughout the business, through the review and challenge of decisions and the promotion of positive risk culture. 

• Manage the Risk team of 7.5 people, with 3.5 direct reports across financial, operational, and enterprise risk, reporting regularly to the CRO on the team’s progress against goals.  

• Facilitate implementation of effective risk management practices through engagement across all three lines of defence, and close working relationships with the Risk Leadership Team (RLT)-1 at a Group level.  

• Prepare regular reporting for ALPI committees and fora as well as Group and CBI, facilitating effective CRO reporting to ALPI Executive Committee and Board Risk Committee and Board on key risk related issues.  

• Engage with the CBI on all relevant areas of responsibility to support a positive and constructive relationship with the CBI including the relevant supervisory teams, influencing regulatory considerations as appropriate. 

• Closely engage with the ALPI transformation agenda and report regularly to the CRO on ALPI’s change delivery risks.  

• Actively engage with ALPI’s control remediation work to ensure that areas for improvement that have been identified through review are improved, and these improvements are embedded. 

Skills & Experience: 

• Actuarial background would be ideal, however not 100% necessary. Qualified Actuary, Accountant, Chartered Insurer or similar.  

• Deep understanding of the Life and Pensions industry, in Ireland and Europe, and the broad spectrum of risks facing complex life and pensions businesses including operational, capital management, ALM, investments, reserving, underwriting, pricing and reinsurance. 

• Experience of operating at senior manager level and of influencing Executive management and other senior stakeholders. 

• Relevant financial services sector experience and experience of working in a regulated environment, including CBI engagement.  

• Proven track record of effective leadership and people management 

• Good understanding of capital regimes and capital implementation of different aspects of insurance actuarial and risk strategies. 

• Fantastic communicator with both written and oral together with questioning skills. 

What will you get for this role? 

• Competitive market leading salary depending on skills, experience, and qualifications. 

• Generous pension (employee contribution matching of up to 14% if you contribute 8%) 

• Annual performance related bonus and pay review. 

• Holiday allowance of 29 days plus bank holidays, and the option to buy/sell up to 5 additional days. 

• Free car parking 

• Generous Health & dental insurance contributions after six months 

• Aviva Matching Share Plan and Save As You Earn scheme and Approved Profit Share Scheme 

• Cycle to Work benefit scheme. 

• TaxSaver Travel Scheme 

• Family friendly parent’s (matching paternity and maternity leave) and carer’s leave. 

• Up to 40% discount for some Aviva products plus discounts for Friends and Family 

• Employee Assistance Programme 

• Volunteering days 

• Professional qualification support and transparent career progression plans 

Aviva is for Everyone 

Our diversity and inclusion policies and initiatives are shaping an environment where everyone feels welcome regardless of age, disability, race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, culture, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, maternity or those with other caring responsibilities. Our approach helps to ensure that Aviva is a place which values difference and provides equal opportunities for all.  

We flex locations, hours and working patterns to suit our customers, business, and you. Most of our people are smart working – spending around 50% of their time in our offices every week - combining the benefits of flexibility, with time together with colleagues.

We prefer all applications to be submitted online, however if you require an alternative method of applying, please contact megan.crabbe@aviva.com