Head of Chief Operating Office Risk

Join AXA as our Head of Operational Resilience – Lead the Future of Business Safety and Strength!

Are you passionate about making businesses stronger, safer, and more prepared for anything? Do you want to shape how a leading insurer adapts to new regulations and industry challenges? AXA is looking for a dynamic leader to take charge of our operational resilience across the UK & Ireland. This is your chance to be at the forefront of building a resilient, future proof organisation that puts customers first.

As our Head of Operational Resilience, you’ll lead the charge in transforming how AXA UK protects its business and customers. You’ll develop strategies, oversee plans, and embed a culture of resilience making sure we’re ready for disruptions and able to bounce back stronger. You’ll work closely with teams across all our business areas, ensuring we meet regulatory standards while building internal capabilities that keep us ahead of the curve.

At AXA we work smart, empowering our people to balance their time between home and the office in a way that works best for them, their team and our customers. You'll work at least two days a week (40%) away from home, moving to three days a week (60%) in the future. Away from home means either attendance at one of our office locations, visiting clients or attending industry events.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead AXA UK’s response to evolving resilience regulations, continuously improving our approach.
• Oversee crisis management plans, training, and simulations to ensure preparedness.
• Manage our Business Continuity programme, ensuring plans are effective and up to date.
• Oversee third party resilience, assessing and managing risks from suppliers and partners.
• Coordinate regular testing exercises to validate our resilience strategies.
• Promote awareness and understanding of resilience practices across the organization.
• Provide strategic reports to senior leadership and regulators, demonstrating our resilience progress.
• Build and lead a dedicated resilience team that works seamlessly across the business.
  
  
  

Due to the number of applications we expect to receive for this role, we reserve the right to close this advert earlier than the listed closing date to ensure we’re able to effectively manage interest. Therefore, if you’re interested in joining us at AXA, please don’t hesitate to apply.

We know that some candidates may be discouraged from applying if they don't meet every requirement. If you’re excited by this job and the prospect of working at AXA but you’re not sure you tick every box, we’d still encourage you to apply.

What you’ll bring:

• Extensive experience in resilience, business continuity, or crisis management.
• Certification in Business Continuity (CBCI or equivalent) and active membership with the Business Continuity Institute.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and work effectively across multiple teams.
• Strong understanding of industry standards, regulations, and best practices.
• Experience working with multiple entities within a large organization, preferably within financial services.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts clearly.
• Skilled in project management, planning, and delivering results on time.
  
  
  

As a precondition of employment for this role, you must be eligible and authorised to work in the United Kingdom.

What we offer:

At AXA UK, we’re appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. You can expect to receive:

• Competitive annual salary
• Annual company & performance-based bonus
• Contributory pension scheme (up to 12% employer contributions)
• Life Assurance (up to 10 x annual salary)
• Private health cover
• 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Opportunity to buy up to 5 extra days leave or sell up to 5 days leave
• AXA employee discounts
• Wellbeing services & resources
  
  
  

To apply, click on the ‘apply for this job’ button, you’ll then need to log in or create a profile to submit your CV. We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer and don’t discriminate against employees or potential employees based on protected characteristics. If you have a long-term condition or disability and require adjustments during the application or interview process, we’re proud to offer access to the AXA Accessibility Concierge. For our support, please send an email to [email protected].

Who we are:

AXA UK Support Functions power AXA’s three customer-facing business units, providing the infrastructure, support and expertise to ensure our customers can always count on us. Whether you’ve got heaps of experience and qualifications behind you, or you’re just starting out, we’ll give you the support and opportunities to help you grow and develop with confidence.