Innovation Squad Lead And Head Of Hub

1. AXA GROUP OPERATIONS AND GROUP DATA, AI and INNOVATION
In recent years, significant work has been done to digitize AXA’s business model. Nevertheless, due to massive technological changes, customers’ expectations and behaviors have considerably evolved. Thus, we are convinced that we must accelerate our technological transformation to achieve our ambition to become an innovative tech-led company. Massive opportunities offered by data and new technologies arise both for our traditional insurance business and for new services to achieve our Payer to Partner ambition. AXA Group Operations sets the tone and must play its role as one of the major catalysts of AXA’s global transformation. We are the ones triggering and empowering the evolution of our insurance business model through technology and innovation, driving its concrete implementation globally at speed, with a high quality of advisory and execution.
Within AXA Group Operations, Group Data, AI and Innovation (GDAI) explores and scales the value of data, AI, digital transformation, emerging technologies (IoT, Geospatial, Blockchain, Quantum Computing, etc.) as well as innovative business ideas with the potential to disrupt the current insurance business model and to shape future opportunities to better partner in our customers’ lives. GDAI and its spin-offs consist of 200+ inspiring minds located in Paris, Barcelona, London, Lausanne (on the EPFL campus) in Lausanne, and on San Francisco (on the Stanford campus) incubating and deploying solutions in co-creation and collaboration with AXA operating entities and strategic partners around the world.
2. PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The primary purpose of the Innovation Squad Lead is to foster growth through the identification and implementation of innovative technical risk practices using the latest advancements in data, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies. This role is crucial in enabling AXA to maintain a leading position in the industry by keeping abreast of and staying aHead of market trends, seamlessly integrating state-of-the-art technologies and innovative practices into its core business strategies, thereby securing long-term competitive advantage as a data/AI-driven and innovation-focused insurer. Additionally, the role includes development and animation of the GDAI London hub, overseeing operations, supporting a team of technical experts, and representing the hub in discussions with internal and external stakeholders.
3. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Innovation Squad Lead (Technical Excellence)
Discovery and Planning
 identify and promote innovation initiatives to enhance technical risk practices leveraging data and AI in coordination with the business units and Global communities/Expert network.
 Serve as a bridge between the Global communities/Expert network and advanced AI research.
 Facilitate decision making in the Global Innovation Committee.
 Provide strategic direction, orchestrate business and technical expertise within specific initiatives.
 Identify and consolidate innovation initiatives with a selection of AXA’s strategic partners
Development and Monitoring
 Spearhead initiatives to build a “starting block” for incubating innovative products/services.
 Define scaling roadmap (incl. scope, timelines and resource requirements) for initiatives within squad perimeter in alignment with business units.
 Drive through established innovation processes (gate and budget)
 Manage external consultancy teams to deliver scaling.
 Identify resource requirements and provide necessary support to meet specific requests.
 Regularly report to and advise the Stream Lead and GDAI leadership on initiatives progress and risks.
 Collaborate with transformation PandC Pricing Squad Lead to support the transition of successful innovation initiatives from pilot to scale within the organization.
Head of London Hub
Operations Management
 Co-manage operations (with facility and operations manager in Paris) of the hub including facilities, general operational logistics, budgeting, regulatory compliance, animation and coordination with external vendors/service providers and with other hubs
 Support building a team of technical experts (Actuary, Data Scientist, Gen AI expert, …)
 Foster an environment that encourages creative thinking, collaboration and delivering value.
Ecosystem Management
 Foster connections with the external innovation community (startups, industry associations…).
 Structure a partners ecosystem to support innovation and associated scaling
 Build and develop a strong academic partnership to foster research in emerging technologies
 Provide insights on market trends and competitor strategies to inform strategic direction.
 Facilitate strategic discussions and decision-making regarding partnerships and external collaborations.
 Engage in public speaking, publications, and industry forums to advocate AXA's vision and achievements in data, AI, emerging technologies and innovation in alignment with GAID thought leadership team and GO communication team
 Strengthen relationship with local AXA entities (in particular AXA XL)