IFRS17 Programme Manager

Posted 18 November 2019
Salary Up to £700 per day + PAYE
LocationCity of London
Job type Permanent
ReferenceBBBH96240_1574155182
Contact NameJames Roberson

Job description

IFRS17 Programme Manager - Insurance - London - £700 p/day PAYE

IFRS 17 is an international insurance accounting standard change that impacts the statutory financial reporting for a number of entities in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Eurasia, Africa & Canada (not Europe). As part of its IFRS17 program, the company is in the midst of rolling out a new finance system to comply with IFRS 17 using a central and local team approach. A pilot of the finance system is underway with future roll outs to entities expected in future years.

Key requirements:
1. Lead and manage the implementation of the global IFRS17 program and associated system implementations
2. Actively involved in defining the scope, deliverables, timescales and budgets for all parts of the central IFRS 17 project
3. Work closely with the work stream leads to ensure that all aspects of the program are effective and efficient
4. Ability to drive alignment with other PMs and PMOs (e.g. in country)
5. Managing an efficient and effective PMO
6. Ability to identify and mobilize appropriate resources
7. Refine Governance structure and meeting cadence for end to end program implementation
8. Refine critical success factors, KPI's and other objectives that must be met by the project
9. Supports the management of external vendors
10. Has the authority and skill to establish good working relationships and influence decisions at the most senior levels within the company
11. Facilitate and chair regular project meetings and follow up with team members as required to focus on business and operational issues or technical issues, documenting, assigning and monitoring all project issues to ensure clearance with minimal impact to project progress
12. Ensure that problems are managed and escalated efficiently with the minimum disruption to the business
13. Plan effectively around the delivery constraints and optimize the plan to ensure IFRS17 delivery
14. Develops the plan within constraints, considering the delivery approach, key milestones and dependencies within the plan, requirements and scope, effort and resources, budgets and quality.
15. Plans and analyses costs, tracking operating and capital spend, and tracks reporting to financial business case commitments.
16. Accountable for the tracking of project/s risks/issues/dependencies, assesses the impact on the benefit realization for the project and takes action to minimize impact, actively challenging and removing obstacles
17. Ensure appropriate communication with geographies and be a key contact for all developments pertaining to IFRS 17 implementation from Group finance perspective
18. Any other essential function that may occur from time to time as directed by the project owners.

Other attributes
1. Knowledge of finance-related IT technologies and prior experience of similarly complex programs essential.
2. Knowledge and experience in the insurance sector, including understanding / experience of IFRS 17.
3. Ability to facilitate discussions, analysis and de-construction problems, develop structured solutions and categorize challenges in the project environment
4. Proven ability to deliver under tight deadlines and challenging constraints
5. Ability to collaborate within the firm and leverage existing resources
6. Ability to work independently within a matrix managed team, prioritizing workloads and delivering under pressure to meet deadlines while managing business, client and project expectations
7. Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal
8. Ability synthesize appropriate ideas and actions and demonstrate the skills of communicating this in a clear and succinct manner
9. Experience of working with global teams

Skills
Technical Skills

* GAAP conversion experience
* Financial reporting knowledge
* IFRS knowledge and US GAAP accounting (preferred)
* Finance Project Management for reporting and finance system changes

Process Specific Skills
* Exceptional analytical and quantitative problem-solving skills
* Excellent technical understanding of key areas of composite and/or life insurance
* Emotional intelligence allied to excellent problem solving skills
* Outstanding communication skills (verbal and written) and the ability to influence senior stakeholders
* Able to manage the senior stakeholders

Education Requirements
1. Preferred Bachelor's degree in accounting, statistics, economics or related.
2. Preferred professional qualification in Project Management
3. Preferred professional qualification in accounting or actuarial

Work Experience Requirements
1. 5+ years' relevant experience in the insurance sector with at least 3 years in similar positions of progressively increasing managerial responsibilities.
2. Detailed knowledge of insurance processes related to accounting, reporting, actuarial risk, operational and financial processes and requirements.
3. Ideally clear understanding of IFRS17 requirements and impacts on business functions and technology infrastructure.
4. Knowledge of the Insurance business lines, programs and external environments would be an advantage.
5. Exceptional experience in Project Management operating in a global environment with strong track record of business and IT project delivery in a global, regional and local structure.
6. Bring analytical rigor, structure and effective solutions to poorly-defined problems applying common sense and lateral thinking.