Head of UK Operations

Since Aspen was founded in 2002, we have become a leading, diversified specialty insurance and reinsurance company. We respond thoughtfully and creatively to find the best outcomes for our clients and business partners through carefully-tailored solutions.

We believe the way we work is just as important as the work we do, and we are guided by our core values of respect, honesty, trust and professionalism.

Aspen is a great place to develop your career offering an exciting and challenging environment where achievement is rewarded.

Role Purpose

The Head of UK Operations plays a key role in managing the AMAL and AIUK business plan and associated operational services ensuring alignment with regulatory (PRA, FCA, Lloyd’s) frameworks and standards to maintain underwriting performance & profitability, maintain operational resilience, and oversee and support operational service delivery, contributing to underwriting & operational excellence for the Aspen UK entities and Group. Key responsibilities as follows:

• oversee and manage underwriting and operational performance of the UK entity and Lloyd’s Syndicate, to enable proactive management of the:

• underwriting portfolio against Syndicate Business Plans and Forecasts, and regulatory standards (PRA, FCA, Lloyd’s)
• operational model and services against regulation and standards, including internal SLAs, and KPIs.

• support and develop operational services in alignment with the group operating strategy and UK entity business plans, to improve scalability & growth, efficiency, and profitability, through operational & process excellence.
• oversee day to day performance of UK operations and Syndicate management, including delivery of service and performance against regulatory expectations and the Aspen intra-group services agreement, ensuring seamless execution of service delivery and any associated changes, whilst managing corrective actions that could give rise to business or regulatory risks. Including but not limited to

• oversight of the UK entity’s operational resilience.
• management of BCP plans and processes in support of the UK entities, in accordance with group policy
• oversight of TPRM (third party risk management & outsourcing), including resilience, reporting, contracting, and due diligence
• management of product and portfolio performance through governance and management of complaints & conduct.

Key Results Areas

Strategy and Planning 

• Manage and support the delivery of operational performance and strategy through the group operations services model.
• Drive business performance through others facilitating effective collaboration, planning, and oversight mechanisms to ensure delivery of the business plan in line with business and shareholder expectations.
•   Leading and supporting the implementation of operational change initiatives, including technology upgrades, process improvements, and data opportunities
•   Oversight of the operational framework of the UK platform as required via an appropriate control framework in place to manage risk and delivery of business objectives.

Policy, Process and Procedures 

• Ensure that the operational support to Aspen’s UK business, through Group or Shared Services, is supported by appropriate SLA’s and KPI’s which are established and monitored to ensure delivery in a manner which is both aligned to the UK platforms business plans (including applicable efficiency and cost targets) whilst satisfying all applicable legal and regulatory requirements (FCA, PRA, and Lloyd’s).
• Supporting the COO - Claims & UK Operations in implementing and maintaining robust resilience, control, and performance oversight frameworks.
• Preparing business and operational updates, risk assessments, and key performance data to the COO - Claims & UK Operations and UK CEO through operational governance committees:
  • UK OpCo
  • UK Board
  • UK ExCo
• Supporting the COO in maintaining effective governance structure, reporting, and risk management.
• Participating in management and governance meetings, representing UK operational interests, including management of the annual planning process.

Environmental Awareness/Customer Focus

• Responsibility for the oversight and management of delegated / 3rd party and outsourcing activities / services, to maintain high levels of performance and resilience.
• Owning the assessment and planning of key business initiatives that support the UK entities, Group strategy, and underwriting performance.
• Identifying, assessing, and mitigating operational risks within UK operations, whilst escalating incidents and the associated response to appropriate governance forums.
• Contributing to the development and maintenance of business continuity plans specific to UK operations.
• Oversee the complaints process, including oversight of controls, process, and reporting, ensuring that regulatory standards are met and internal KPIs are monitored 

Knowledge 

• Deep knowledge and experience in business operations and business controls.
• Strong knowledge and expertise of UK regulatory rules and standards (Lloyd’s,          PRA, FCA)
• Competent in identifying common synergies to drive competitive advantages, operational efficiencies, workforce planning, cost controls, and systems & process reengineering efforts.
• Good working knowledge of risk management and regulatory interactions.
• Familiar with matrix reporting structures.
• Understanding of technology and how it can be leveraged to achieve goals for clients and products through innovative thought leadership and a focus on cost and risk management

Skills 

• Skill in delivering on multiple and complex initiatives in a dynamic business environment & UK regulatory environment.
• Building relationships and influencing with ability to communicate a business case and influence decisions for change to senior leadership. Involving and influencing key stakeholders in the transformation process.
• Ability to convey a broad array of information, issues and recommendations succinctly and accurately across multiple cultures and geographies.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills that combine both IQ and EQ. Demonstrated ability to leverage key relationships with internal and external partners. Speaks in business terms to influence business, technology, and operations leaders.

Experience 

• Proven ability in blending inspiring vision and technology savvy with superior financial and business management skills.
• High level of business and financial acumen with an understanding of the company strategy, operating environment and business objectives. Able to take “deep dive” into the details of the business while staying focused on the big picture. Consistently evaluates decisions in terms of impact on the business. Skill in assessment of potential acquisition and merger opportunities for multi-national organisations
• Strong project and change management experience that demonstrates the ability to take a holistic viewpoint i.e. people, process and technology. Must balance challenging the cultural status quos by driving different cultural behaviours.
• Successful track record in improving business performance by driving operational efficiencies, platform simplification, and outstanding client service.
• Defines and translates a vision of an organization into actionable, quantitative plans

At Aspen we know that having a diverse and inclusive workforce is good for our people, good for our business and good for the environments in which we operate.  We therefore welcome applications from people which allows us to draw on diverse cultures, perspectives, skills and experiences.