Regional Operations Enablement Lead

Job description

We are looking for Regional Operations Enablement Lead to be based in London. The Impact You Will Have Operations in the UK, Ireland & South Africa (UKISA) region is on a growth journey as Allianz Commercial strengthens its presence and footprint across the region. The Regional Operations Enablement Lead is the trusted partner of the Regional Head of Operations and the operational counterpart to regional stakeholders — turning leadership priorities into structured, tracked, and delivered outcomes across business operations, IT, data, AI and automation, organisational management, and real estate, and enabling the regional teams to work effectively as one region. The role combines a structured own agenda — owning the coordination and delivery of assigned initiatives with clear mandates and measurable outcomes — with active responsiveness to ad hoc priorities, emerging projects, and leadership requests. Approximately 60% of capacity is directed towards owned initiatives; the remaining 40% is expected to flex to support cross-functional priorities, short-cycle analytical requests, and workstreams that require rapid input. As a newly created position in a newly formed region, the role helps define how the regional operations agenda is planned, run, and reported — establishing the operating cadence, stakeholder map, onboarding, and ways of working from the ground up. The role operates as an individual contributor, working across functions and locations without formal line authority over most stakeholders. Credibility is built through rigour, follow-through, discretion, and the ability to make complex, cross-functional change feel practical and achievable, often under time pressure and competing demands. Future challenges: • Establish structure, cadence, and momentum for a newly created regional agenda — building the operating rhythm from a standing start • Build a connected, well-informed regional operations community across three countries — through onboarding, communication, and shared ways of working • Drive coordinated outcomes across business operations, IT, data, AI, organisational management, and real estate — building trust and momentum across many stakeholders at pace Some of your specific responsibilities could include: • Trusted Partner to the Regional Head & Driving the Regional Operations Agenda • Act as trusted partner to the Regional Head of Operations in building and driving the operations agenda for the UK, Ireland & South Africa (UKISA) region across Business operations, IT, Data, AI and automation, Organisational management, and Real estate. • Translate leadership priorities into structured workplans, own coordination and follow-through across domains, and keep the agenda moving in a joined-up way. • Prepare decision-ready analysis, briefings, and materials, and run the operating cadence — setting agendas, capturing actions, and owning follow-ups. • Anticipate what the Regional Head needs ahead of meetings and senior forums, and act on their behalf where agreed. Operational Counterpart to Regional Stakeholders • Serve as the day-to-day counterpart for regional and global operations leaders, IT, Finance, HR, Compliance, and business partners on operational topics. Act as first point of contact — clarify requests and priorities, resolve what can be resolved directly, and escalate the rest with the right context. • Prepare and follow up on senior meetings, steering committees, and reviews, driving decisions and actions to closure. • Represent the Regional Head's agenda credibly across the region. Collaborate with global and group functional heads and other functions where required for delivery of the regional agenda — bringing regional needs into global initiatives and landing global standards and ways of working in the region. Maintain the stakeholder map, cadence, and ways of working for the newly formed region. Performance Management & Reporting • Define, monitor, and report on progress and performance across the regional operations agenda — delivery against plan, output quality, throughput, and improvement trends. • Analyse root causes of deviation and agree corrective action with the relevant leads. Maintain a consolidated view of the regional initiative portfolio covering status, priorities, risks, and decisions required. • Turn data into a clear narrative for leadership and SteerCo, and track the benefits of delivered initiatives, including tools and automation, to confirm the intended impact is realised. Team Enablement, Communication & Ways of Working • Enable regional operations teams and leaders to work effectively as one region. • Design and run onboarding for new leaders and team members, including stakeholder introductions and role clarity. • Plan and deliver regional communication and engagement — leadership updates, town halls, and recognition — and follow up on team feedback. • Build and maintain regional playbooks, process guides, and a shared knowledge base, spreading good practice between countries. • Coordinate training and capability building with GBO and IT, including practical use of available AI and productivity tools. • Feed ground-level insight back into the regional agenda. Project Management & Ad Hoc Delivery • Lead or contribute to assigned projects, including transformation projects, from scoping through to handover, applying a structured project management approach. • Define scope, milestones, and success criteria, and manage progress and risks proactively. • Respond to ad hoc requests, short-cycle analyses, and cross-functional workstreams that need rapid input, maintaining quality under time pressure. • Facilitate workshops and working sessions to align stakeholders and drive decisions. • Where GBO Transformation Managers work on the same workstream, align on methodology and deliverables. • Ensure all delivery is documented, communicated, and connected to the region's operations agenda. What You’ll Bring to the Role • 5–7 years of professional experience in operations, programme or business management, or a related function — ideally in (re)insurance, financial services, or a comparable global industry; with a substantial portion in roles requiring independent delivery of improvement or change initiatives • Hands-on track record of coordinating and delivering initiatives across multiple domains — planning, tracking, and driving workstreams through to completion, not only supporting programmes managed by others • Experience in a chief-of-staff-type, business management, PMO, or comparable role — preparing leadership materials, running governance forums, and acting as counterpart to senior stakeholders • Experience working across global or matrixed operating models — coordinating with teams and stakeholders across multiple locations and functions • Track record of managing concurrent workstreams — balancing a structured own agenda with responsive delivery of ad hoc projects and req 108810 | Operations | Professional | Allianz Commercial | Full-Time | Permanent What’s in it for you? Let’s care about everything that makes you, you We are committed to nurturing an inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong. We offer a hybrid working model, which recognizes the value of striking a balance between in-person collaboration and remote working. Please feel free to discuss flexible working arrangements with us. Let’s care for your financial wellbeing We believe in rewarding performance with a great compensation and benefits package (details vary by location), including a generous bonus scheme and pension. Let’s care for your opportunities to progress From career development and digital learning programs to international career mobility, we offer lifelong learning for our employees worldwide and an environment where innovation, delivery and empowerment are fostered. Let’s care for life’s twists and turns From our support for flexible working, health and