About the position
Job Summary:
The Head of Systems is responsible for leading the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of all core IT systems within the insurance organization. This role ensures that technology infrastructure and business applications-particularly policy administration systems, claims systems, underwriting platforms, and data analytics-support business operations, regulatory compliance, and digital transformation initiatives.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and execute the IT systems strategy aligned with business goals and regulatory requirements.
- Act as a technology partner to senior leadership across underwriting, claims, actuarial, and customer service.
- Drive innovation by evaluating and implementing emerging technologies in the insurance sector.
Systems Oversight
- Oversee the design, configuration, and integration of insurance-specific platforms
- Ensure seamless system performance, uptime, scalability, and disaster recovery capabilities.
- Manage vendor relationships and performance for third-party software and managed services.
Project and Change Management
- Lead enterprise-wide system implementations and upgrades, including digital transformation initiatives.
- Champion change management and ensure minimal disruption to business functions during technology transitions.
- Maintain strong governance across IT change control processes.
Team Management
- Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing team of system architects, analysts, developers, and IT support staff.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Risk and Compliance
- Ensure that all systems comply with industry regulations, internal requirements, and cybersecurity standards.
- Conduct regular system audits and risk assessments.
Data & Reporting
- Oversee the integration of data systems to enable real-time business intelligence and regulatory reporting.
- Collaborate with data governance and actuarial teams to ensure accuracy and consistency of information.
Qualifications:
Essential:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field.
- Minimum 8-10 years in IT leadership roles, ideally within the insurance or financial services sector.
- Strong knowledge of non-life insurance business processes
- Proven experience in systems architecture, implementation, and modernization projects.
Preferred:
- Honour's degree or Master of Business Administration.
- Experience with core insurance platforms such as Genasys Ski, or similar.
Key Skills:
- Strategic thinking with the ability to align IT systems with business outcomes.
- Strong project management and vendor negotiation skills.
- Deep understanding of regulatory and security requirements in the insurance industry.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Desired Skills:
- Genasys Ski
- IT systems
- Data Analysis
- Compliance
- digital transformation
- Systems Analysis
- Change Management
- It Management
- Systems
- Management
