Head of Risk, Life Insurance (North Sydney, AU) at Zurich Insurance Group

A new transformational adventure awaits you… 

How does 5 weeks of annual leave, a fulfilling career you'll genuinely enjoy, and working for a reputable organization that promotes wellbeing and drives digital transformation sound to you?

As one of Forbes 2024 ‘World’s Best Employers’ and Fortune’s ‘World’s Most Admired Companies’ for 2025, Zurich - a leader in the insurance industry, is on a journey towards a brighter future… A brighter future for you - focused on your career, your wellbeing, and your community - as well as our customers and the planet.

Join us on this thrilling journey as we work towards our vision of becoming Australia's leading digital insurer. If you're eager to be part of a values-driven global organisation that's experiencing real growth and transformation, and if you share our commitment to making a tangible difference and taking continuous steps towards a sustainable future for our people, customers, communities, and our planet, then keep reading!
 

Let’s create a brighter future together, let’s make a difference  

It’s important to know, what you do matters. At Zurich, we don’t just cover, we care.

We’re seeking a strategic, commercially minded Head of Risk, Life to join the Australia Risk Leadership team, reporting to the Chief Risk Officer. You will lead a small Life risk team, partner closely with 1st line leaders, and act as a trusted adviser by providing independent challenge on strategic initiatives and material transactions. You will drive risk awareness and embed clear risk–reward trade offs in decision making, while ensuring timely execution of the Zurich Risk Management Framework and the ZFSA Risk Management Strategy across all risk types.

You will present risk reporting and opinions to the Board and senior committees, own risk appetite monitoring, participate in key governance forums, and manage relationships with regulators, auditors and Group functions. You will also champion a strong risk culture and lead risk change to meet regulatory and Group requirements. This role offers leadership development with potential progression to the Australia CRO role.

Important to your success – let’s grow together

• 10+ years’ risk management experience in financial services, including life insurance
• Deep expertise across all risk types, with hands-on application of controls and remediation
• Strong knowledge of the Australian insurance market, its regulatory landscape, and life insurance risk characteristics
• Solid understanding of enterprise risk management frameworks and risk governance best practice
• Experience operating within APRA and ASIC frameworks, including direct regulator engagement
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking, able to translate analysis into clear recommendations
• Excellent stakeholder, presentation and influencing skills; builds trusted relationships with 1st line leaders, auditors, regulators and Group partners
• Proven commercial judgment; comfortable with ambiguity, complexity and competing priorities
• Demonstrated people leadership: motivates, develops and manages a small team while working autonomously
• Proactive mindset with a track record of evolving risk practices and driving continuous improvement
• Strong written and verbal communication; effectively advocates for risk outcomes and leads change

Belong. Zurich is here to support you

 
There are so many reasons why Zurich is a great place to be and the right choice for you, but here are just a few.

• Enjoy 5 weeks of annual leave for permanent staff through our Z leave initiative, along with 15 days of personal/carer’s leave as we empower our people to manage their own wellbeing. Plus, access to Family Care (parental leave).
• Benefit from a hybrid working arrangement – 3 days in the office and 2 days working from home per week for full-time employees.
• Access programs to stay healthy and feel healthier, receive an AUD$500 wellbeing payment per year, and a AUD$295 new starter e-voucher for your work-from-home setup (flex work - hybrid working), along with other great benefits through our Shine portal.
• Grow and thrive in your career with our award-winning training programs. We support and encourage your development because our strength lies in our people, and we value your individuality.
• Work with global, diverse, and inclusive teams; explore your passions, fuel innovation, drive equity, collaborate, and make a positive difference beyond your role.
• Take advantage of global mobility opportunities across more than 200 countries worldwide.
• Volunteer and work in our state-of-the-art Green Star rated offices (when you are in the office) and dress for your day.
• We plant a tree for every new employee.
• Not to mention our various employer of choice awards/memberships – WGEA; Family Inclusive Workplace; Gold AWEI Employer, Pride in Diversity… to name a few.

We could go on, but the main point is that Zurich is a great place to be, where you can truly belong, be yourself, maintain work/life balance, and thrive in a supportive environment. 
 

Zurich is an equal opportunity employer.  We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment process is fair and accessible for all candidates. If you require any special accommodations to participate in our recruitment process, we encourage you to please let us know at the time of your application.  
 

So, if you want to come on an adventure that will build a brighter future together, and feel a sense of togetherness, then please apply today to start your adventure!