Chief Operating Officer

About the role

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will support the Managing Director and functional teams of the Digital Business Unit (DBU) to deliver the unit’s strategic plan, ensuring profitable, compliant, and rapid operations.

Key responsibilities

• Partner with the MD and ExCo to translate strategy into coordinated execution and set KPIs.
• Own the DBU performance framework, strategic and operational KPIs, benefits realization, and quarterly business reviews.
• Drive scaling of digital, platform and technology‑enabled propositions, overseeing process improvement, automation and digital transformation programmes.
• Accountable for enterprise portfolio governance, including initiative prioritization, resource allocation and investment decisions.
• Ensure operating model effectiveness, governance structures and cross‑functional alignment.
• Provide cross‑functional operational governance, establishing policies, internal controls and risk standards.
• Lead the DBU finance function, overseeing budget planning, cost tracking and financial reporting.
• Set governance standards for project and portfolio delivery and hold functional teams accountable.
• Lead transformation governance, tracking adoption of new tools, ways of working and process redesign.
• Facilitate coordination between MD, ExCo and functional heads on finance, portfolio, operations and transformation matters.

Required profile

• 10+ years senior experience in operations, finance business partnering, PMO/portfolio management or business management.
• Proven track record scaling digital, platform or fintech services and leading transformation programmes.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in planning, budgeting and P&L management.
• Deep understanding of the insurance industry, its regulatory environment and competitive landscape.
• Experience leading cross‑functional portfolio governance and supporting executive committees and boards.

Required skills

• Leadership and management of cross‑functional teams.
• Strategic thinking and commercial/financial decision‑making.
• Digital and technology fluency to engage with engineering, product and data teams.
• Organisational and project management skills for multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Change management and digital transformation expertise.