Job Summary
Zurich Insurance Europe AG, Ireland Branch is looking for a Head of Business Architecture & Operational Excellence (BA & OPEX) in Dublin or Wexford for an estimated 24-month secondment period.
The Head of Business Aechitecture & Operational Excellence (BA & OPEX) leads the business analysis team within Business change and transformation department. You will also have responsibility in driving business architecture, project shaping, and continuous improvement activities to enable and support the delivery of Zurich’s strategy.
This role is accountable for building and developing a high-performing team, driving robust process and capability improvement, and ensuring all change initiatives are aligned to organisational priorities and delivered efficiently, within financial, resourcing, and time constraints. By championing a culture of innovation, collaboration, and operational excellence, the Head of BA & OPEX enables measurable value for customers and the business.
The role partners closely with the Head of Project Delivery, Governance & PMO to ensure seamless alignment from project shaping through to delivery, and acts as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on transformation, operational efficiency, and change adoption.
This role may be available part-time or full time. This is because we want the best people for our roles, and we recognise that sometimes those people aren’t available full-time. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you may need.
Your Role
Business Analysis & Architecture
- Build, coach, and empower a high-performing Business Analysis team to deliver requirements gathering, process analysis, supporting solution design, and business case development for all major change initiatives.
- Define and maintain Zurich’s business architecture, ensuring alignment with strategic direction, digital transformation, and the target operating model.
- Provide design input on complex projects, collaborate with enterprise and solution architecture, and identify opportunities for simplification and capability development.
Operational Excellence
- Drive a culture of continuous improvement, embedding Lean and process optimisation practices with the operational department, to deliver measurable efficiency gains and enhanced customer experience.
- Lead the capability building and best practice sharing for OPEX specialists, fostering innovation and operational excellence across GI Ireland.
Project Shaping & Portfolio Delivery
- Lead early-stage project shaping, including feasibility, scoping, and strategic alignment, and ensure robust handover to project teams.
- Provide leadership in business analysis and architecture across the change portfolio, collaborating with the Business Change colleagues to ensure successful delivery, benefits realisation, and resolution of issues.
- Ensure all BA/OPEX activities are prioritised and aligned with Zurich’s local and group objectives, supporting effective demand planning and resource allocation
Strategic Partnership & Change Leadership
- Act as a strategic partner to senior leadership, aligning BA/OPEX initiatives with Zurich’s long-term strategy and customer priorities.
- Champion new ways of working and effective adoption of change, providing coaching and support to teams during transitions.
- Maintain strong, trusted relationships across the organisation and represent BA & OPEX in cross-functional and group-wide forums.
Risk Management & Compliance
- Ensure all BA/OPEX activities comply with Zurich’s internal controls, risk management policies, and regulatory standards.
- Proactively identify and manage risks and issues, contributing to a robust control environment and supporting Zurich’s reputation for reliability and integrity.
Innovation, Best Practice & Team Development
- Bring external perspectives, new ideas, and methodologies into the function, driving continuous improvement in business analysis and operational excellence.
- Foster a culture of diversity, inclusion, wellbeing, and professional growth within the team, and empower others to lead and contribute to their fullest potential.
Success Measures
- Delivery of business analysis, architecture, and operational excellence activities to target outcomes, schedule, and quality standards.
- Effective management of risks, controls, and compliance.
- Ongoing development of a high-performing, empowered team and upskilling of business resources in analysis and process improvement.
Positive feedback from business stakeholders on strategic partnership, innovation, and value delivered
Your Skills and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, IT, or related field; professional qualifications (e.g., Lean Six Sigma, TOGAF, BCS) are advantageous.
- 8+ years’ experience in business analysis, business architecture, operational excellence, or change roles, ideally within financial services/insurance.
- Proven experience leading teams and delivering complex, multi-stakeholder change programmes.
- Strong communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
- Demonstrated ability in process improvement, business case development, and strategic thinking.
Skills & Attributes
- Collaborative, adaptable, and able to influence at all levels.
- Results-oriented, resilient, and comfortable with ambiguity.
- Passion for innovation, quality, and continuous improvement.
- Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- JIRA, excel & Confluence skills
Reporting Relationship:
- Works in close partnership with the Head of Project Delivery, Governance & PMO, within Business Change and Transformation
Additional Information
Primary work location is Dublin or Wexford but occasional travel may be required to other Zurich locations.
If you value an exciting and varied working environment and meet the above requirements, then our recruiter is looking forward to receiving your application by clicking on the button “Apply online”.
Who we are
Zurich is one of Ireland's leading insurance companies providing a wide range of general insurance and life insurance products and services. The company employs over 1,000 people across its locations in Dublin and Wexford.
Zurich is a strong brand – with our 53,000 employees worldwide form the basis of our success, helping our customers in 210 countries and territories to understand and protect themselves from risk. In order to deliver our services, we offer our employees flexible working models and interesting opportunities for further training & development. As a Zurich employee you benefit from a multitude of advantages as well as a strong culture, characterized by acceptance, diversity and team spirit.
At Zurich, we foster a culture of diversity and inclusion. Our purpose and values are designed to protect, inspire confidence and help our employees reach their full potential. We value and defend what is right and promote opportunities for equity among our professionals, regardless of gender, disability, LGBTQ +, race, ethnicity, generations, belief, etc. Join Zurich and be part of this culture. Together we are committed to delivering on our purpose - Let’s Create a Brighter Future Together!