Head of Business Architecture

Head of Business Architecture & Operational Excellence Dublin/Wexford Hybrid (24 Month)

Zurich Insurance Europe AG, Ireland Branch is looking for a Head of Business Architecture & Operational Excellence (BA & OPEX) in Dublin or Wexford for an estimated 24-month secondment period.

Role overview

The Head of BA & OPEX leads the business analysis team within the Business Change and Transformation department. You will drive business architecture, project shaping, and continuous improvement activities to enable and support the delivery of Zurich's strategy. You will build and develop a high-performing team, drive robust process and capability improvements, and ensure change initiatives are aligned with priorities, delivered efficiently, and within financial, resourcing, and time constraints. You will champion innovation, collaboration, and operational excellence to deliver measurable value for customers and the business. You will partner closely with the Head of Project Delivery, Governance & PMO to ensure alignment from project shaping to delivery and act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on transformation, operational efficiency, and change adoption.

This role may be available part-time or full-time. Please discuss flexibility at interview.

Your RoleBusiness Analysis & Architecture

• Build, coach, and empower a high-performing Business Analysis team to deliver requirements gathering, process analysis, supporting solution design, and business case development for major change initiatives.
• Define and maintain Zurich's business architecture, ensuring alignment with strategic direction, digital transformation, and the target operating model.
• Provide design input on complex projects, collaborate with enterprise and solution architecture, and identify opportunities for simplification and capability development.

Operational Excellence

• Drive a culture of continuous improvement, embedding Lean and process optimisation practices with the operational department to deliver measurable efficiency gains and enhanced customer experience.
• Lead capability building and best practice sharing for OPEX specialists, fostering innovation and operational excellence across GI Ireland.

Project Shaping & Portfolio Delivery

• Lead early-stage project shaping, including feasibility, scoping, and strategic alignment, and ensure robust handover to project teams.
• Provide leadership in business analysis and architecture across the change portfolio, collaborating with Business Change colleagues to ensure successful delivery, benefits realisation, and issue resolution.
• Prioritise and align BA/OPEX activities with Zurich's local and group objectives, supporting effective demand planning and resource allocation.

Strategic Partnership & Change Leadership

• Act as a strategic partner to senior leadership, aligning BA/OPEX initiatives with Zurich's long-term strategy and customer priorities.
• Champion new ways of working and effective adoption of change, providing coaching and support to teams during transitions.
• Maintain strong relationships across the organisation and represent BA & OPEX in cross-functional and group-wide forums.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Ensure all BA/OPEX activities comply with Zurich's internal controls, risk management policies, and regulatory standards.
• Identify and manage risks and issues, contributing to a robust control environment and supporting Zurich's reputation for reliability and integrity.

Innovation, Best Practice & Team Development

• Bring external perspectives, new ideas, and methodologies into the function, driving continuous improvement in business analysis and operational excellence.
• Foster a culture of diversity, inclusion, wellbeing, and professional growth within the team.

Success Measures

• Delivery of BA, architecture, and OPEX activities to target outcomes, schedule, and quality standards.
• Effective management of risks, controls, and compliance.
• Development of a high-performing, empowered team and upskilling of business resources in analysis and process improvement.

Your Skills And Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, IT, or related field; professional qualifications (e.g., Lean Six Sigma, TOGAF, BCS) are advantageous.
• 8+ years' experience in business analysis, business architecture, operational excellence, or change roles, ideally within financial services/insurance.
• Proven experience leading teams and delivering complex, multi-stakeholder change programmes.
• Strong communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated ability in process improvement, business case development, and strategic thinking.

Skills & Attributes

• Collaborative, adaptable, and able to influence at all levels.
• Results-oriented, resilient, and comfortable with ambiguity.
• Passion for innovation, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• JIRA, Excel & Confluence skills.

Reporting Relationship

• Works in close partnership with the Head of Project Delivery, Governance & PMO within Business Change and Transformation.

Primary work location is Dublin or Wexford, but occasional travel may be required to other Zurich locations.

If you value an exciting and varied working environment and meet the above requirements, our recruiter is looking forward to receiving your application by clicking on the button "Apply online".

Who We Are
Zurich is a leading insurance company with locations in Dublin and Wexford and a broader global presence; we offer flexible working models and opportunities for training and development. Zurich promotes diversity and inclusion and is committed to equity for all employees.

Note: This posting contains no explicit references to expired or filled positions. If the role has closed, the system will reflect that status.

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