Audit Director - North America P&C Centre of Excellence

Group Audit (GA) is an international team of 250 colleagues from 33 different nationalities, working as one function.  We work with a common purpose: to keep Zurich safe. Together, we look to bring our skills, capabilities, and unique strengths to provide real insights to our stakeholders. We work to be the best we can be at spotting danger for our company; continuously learning and trying to get better and better at what we do.  Working closely with GA leaders this is a unique opportunity to drive the evolution of the function, and to transform our ways of working. In this senior role in our North America (NA) business unit, there is real scope to shape and develop our P&C audit capabilities globally. This role will be key in implementing and driving our strategic priorities, co-creating a leading audit function and taking the NA team to the next level.  As a leader within the GA team, you will play a pivotal role, working with the Audit Leads for North America and P&C to design and develop the future strategy for P&C audit in GA, delivering and role-modelling changes; and building a continuous learning environment for the team.  It will require excellent vision, a supportive leadership style, creativity, perseverance, and the ability to influence the people around you. 

The Audit Director - NA and P&C Centre of Excellence will be part of the Group Audit Leadership Team and play a key role in delivering the Group Audit strategy. You will be expected to use and co-develop leading audit practices to continuously improve the NA and global P&C risk-based dynamic audit plans and their high-quality delivery. You will positively influence the business risk and control environment, through reporting at relevant governance fora, as well as developing strong working relationships with the NA Senior Management and P&C leaders.  You will be responsible for evolving the P&C audit strategy and capabilities across the globe and the delivery of a portfolio of audits in NA and globally. Importantly, you will foster a positive culture and drive an environment of continuous growth, where the team feels connected to our purpose at all times and becomes a recognized leader in the market.  

Working with the NA Audit Lead and the P&C Audit Lead, you will have global responsibilities for:

• Direct report to the North America Audit Lead, deputizing, when necessary, e.g., in relevant governance or other key stakeholder meetings.

• Working with the P&C Audit Lead to lead the P&C Audit Center of Excellence (COE).

• COE responsibilities include developing a deep understanding of the risk landscape at the Group level and assisting with strategy and direction for our global audit activities on Underwriting, Claims and Distribution, and delivering on these activities.

• Developing our P&C audit capabilities across our entire team of 250 auditors in 19 countries

• Inspiring and energizing the group-wide team around the potential and possibilities in building their P&C audit skills.

• Continuously building a high performing environment across the P&C audit community Motivating and engaging the team in the vision and strategy, fostering an inclusive work environment and sense of community.

• Influencing senior P&C business leaders across the globe through strong relationships and insights and acting as a strategic partner for senior leadership.

• Working with and engaging regional and functional GA audit leads, the P&C audit community and senior business leaders globally to lead and perform risk assessments, ensuring appropriate coverage of P&C insurance risks and to develop appropriate audit plans for these risks across Zurich.

• Leading and developing a team of 3 or 4 direct reports (audit manager, senior auditor, auditor).

• Leading a portfolio of audits including group-wide thematic reviews and ensuring the right level of insight and involvement from teams across audits, including scoping, audit reporting and key stakeholder meetings.

• Identifying themes and trends, systemic/emerging issues and sharing insights with senior stakeholders across the globe as well as well as supporting reporting into Group and relevant local boards and audit committees.

Basic Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s Degree and 10 or more years of experience in the financial services, internal audit or P & C insurance audit area
  OR

• Employees at reward level 7 and above: High School Diploma or Equivalent and 10 or more years of experience in the financial services, internal audit or P & C insurance audit area
  AND

• Knowledge of commercial and retail insurance trends, emerging risks and their impact on insurance.

• Experience with audit techniques including data analytics and agile audit.

• Experience in leading teams through change within diverse and international organizations in a hybrid and/or remote working environment.

• Experience evaluating and challenging risk assessments to assess the applicability of audit planning, audit findings, potential exposures and materiality that may impact the business.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in leading teams through change within diverse and international organizations in a hybrid and/or remote working environment 

• Excellent project management skills. Ability to manage complex projects in parallel, delivering on time and quality while guiding and coaching teams to give their best.

• A good track record of implementing change and transformation through developing people, as well as implementing a learning culture.

• Experience of audit techniques including data analytics, agile audit

• A people person - passion and enthusiasm to continue to grow yourself and others around you.

• Impactful written and verbal communication skills, good gravitas

• Contribute to the development of risk assessments and dynamic audit planning.

• Contribute to Group Audit’s growth of technical skills and competencies through the development of subject matter training programs as a COE leader.

• Coach, mentor and guide team members and act as a role model for audit colleagues to enable achievement of individual results and to realize their highest potential.

• Build good relationships with senior leaders in the business, providing guidance to them on matters relating to controls, risk and governance.

As a condition of employment at Zurich, employees must adhere to any COVID-related health and safety protocols in place at that time (https://www.zurichna.com/careers/faq).

A future with Zurich. What can go right when you apply at Zurich?

Now is the time to move forward and make a difference. At Zurich, we want you to share your unique perspectives, experiences and ideas so we can grow and drive sustainable change together. As part of a leading global organization, Zurich North America has over 150 years of experience managing risk and supporting resilience. Today, Zurich North America is a leading provider of commercial property-casualty insurance solutions and a wide range of risk management products and services for businesses and individuals. We serve more than 25 industries, from agriculture to technology, and we insure 90% of the Fortune 500®. Our growth strategy is not limited to our business. As an employer, we strive to provide ongoing career development opportunities, and we foster an environment where voices are diverse, behaviors are inclusive, actions drive equity, and our people feel a sense of belonging. Be a part of the next evolution of the insurance industry. Join us in building a brighter future for our colleagues, our customers and the communities we serve. Zurich maintains a comprehensive employee benefits package for employees as well as eligible dependents and competitive compensation. Please click here to learn more.

As a global company, Zurich recognizes the diversity of our workforce as an asset. We recruit talented people from a variety of backgrounds with unique perspectives that are truly welcome here. Taken together, diversity and inclusion bring us closer to our common goal: exceeding our customers’ expectations. Zurich does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status. EOE disability/vet 

Zurich does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Any unsolicited resume will become the property of Zurich American Insurance. If you are a preferred vendor, please use our Recruiting Agency Portal for resume submission. 

Location(s): AM - Schaumburg
Remote Working: Hybrid
Schedule: Full Time
Employment Sponsorship Offered: Yes  
 
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