Global Risk Director

Global Risk Director (UK or US based)

Life Unlimited. At Smith+Nephew, we design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living.

We are seeking an experienced Global Risk Director to lead the development, execution, and oversight of our global insurance and risk management strategy. This role offers a high degree of responsibility, visibility, and opportunity for professional growth, partnering closely with senior stakeholders across the business. The successful candidate will play a critical role in identifying, analyzing, managing, and mitigating risk and opportunity across a complex, multinational insurance portfolio spanning the US, UK/Ireland, and global operations.

Enterprise Leadership & Strategic Scope

• Serve as the enterprise subject‑matter leader on insurance strategy, advising senior leadership on risk appetite, retention strategy, market conditions, and emerging insurance risks.
• Act as a trusted advisor to executive and senior stakeholders, clearly and credibly communicating complex insurance and risk concepts to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Apply balanced judgment across legal, financial, and reputational considerations when structuring insurance programs, responding to claims, and advising on risk transfer decisions.
• Maintain strong awareness of global emerging risk issues, including cyber risk, regulatory scrutiny, geopolitical volatility, and evolving litigation trends.
  
  
  

Broker, Market & Financial Leadership

• Actively manage global and local broker relationships, holding brokers accountable for analytics quality, placement outcomes, service delivery, and market engagement strategies.
• Structure and lead insurer market engagement strategies, including renewals, placements, negotiations, and insurer relationship management.
• Demonstrate strong understanding of the financial drivers of insurance programs, including retentions, loss forecasting, total cost of risk, and budgetary impacts.

Candidates should expect to discuss specific examples of complex global insurance placements, claims, or risk decisions they have personally led.

Execution‑Focused Risk Management

• In addition to enterprise‑level insurance strategy and leadership, demonstrate a willingness to actively engage in day‑to‑day risk management execution, including:
• Responding to ad hoc insurance questions arising from contracts and commercial activity
• Coordinating certificates of insurance and evidence of coverage
• Supporting routine operational insurance needs alongside strategic priorities
  
• Partner closely with Legal teams on insurance‑related litigation, claims strategy, and contractual risk transfer, ensuring alignment between coverage strategy and legal objectives.
• Bring experience building, stabilizing, or materially enhancing insurance programs during periods of organizational change, growth, transformation, or transition.
  
  

Experience & Background

• 15+ years of progressive experience in insurance, risk management, or a related discipline, with significant responsibility for global insurance programs and enterprise risk decision‑making.
• Proven experience operating in a complex, matrixed, multinational organization, partnering with senior stakeholders across Legal, Finance, Operations, Commercial, and Corporate functions.
• Background in a regulated industry with meaningful exposure to litigation, compliance, and/or product liability risk (e.g., life sciences, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, or similarly regulated global industries) is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated track record of leading insurance strategy and risk decisions in environments with material financial, legal, and reputational exposure
  
  
  

You Unlimited.

We believe in creating the greatest good for society. Our strongest investments are in our people and the patients we serve.    

• Inclusion and Belonging- Committed to Welcoming, Celebrating and Thriving on Inclusion and Belonging, Learn more about Employee Inclusion Groups on our website (https://www.smith-nephew.com/ ).

Your Future: 401k Matching Program, 401k Plus Program, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Tuition Reimbursement  

Work/Life Balance: Flexible Personal/Vacation Time Off, Paid Holidays, Flex Holidays, Paid Community Service Day  

Your Wellbeing: Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account (Employer Contribution of $500+ annually), Employee Assistance Program, Parental Leave, Fertility and Adoption Assistance Program 

Flexibility: Hybrid Work Model (For most professional roles)  

Training: Hands-On, Team-Customized, Mentorship  

Extra Perks: Discounts on fitness clubs, travel and more!  

Smith+Nephew is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Smith+Nephew will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please alert the recruiter if you are selected to move forward.

The anticipated base compensation range for this position is $76,000-142,000 GBP annually and the compensation offered will depend on the candidate’s qualifications. You may also be entitled to receive bonus and benefits, which may include medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401k, tuition reimbursement, medical leave programs, and a variety of wellness offerings.

Smith & Nephew follows the Pay Transparency and non-discrimination provisions described by local and state policies.

We anticipate the application window for this opening to close on 4.3.2026.

Smith+Nephew provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

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