Address Posting Description:
UK Head of Operations/Operations Director
Member of the UK Executive and AUKL Board, holding SMF24 and SMF3 responsibilities, plus SMF7 responsibilities for other UK regulated boards Work with the EMEA COO, UK CEO and RLT to develop the UK strategy, implementing effective operating models to support the strategy.Partner with Business Unit Leaders and UK Leadership Team to develop and deliver a target operating model which supports growth and creates an ecosystem that will deliver innovation in addition to driving improvements in the current operations.
Aon is in the business of better decisions
At Aon, we shape decisions for the better to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world.
As an organization, we are united through trust as one inclusive, diverse team, and we are passionate about helping our colleagues and clients succeed.
The FCA's Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SM&CR) applies to Aon from December 2019 and this role is subject to the relevant requirements of the Regime.
The primary aim of SM&CR is to drive individual accountability for all roles within the Financial Services Sector.
Aon must ensure those in senior roles, with the potential to cause significant harm to customers and the business of the firm, are deemed to be fit and proper at all times and also to ensure everyone working in the sector adheres to a set of Conduct Rules and are held to account where they do not meet the right standards of behaviour.
What the day will look like
- Operate as a member of the UK country leadership team.
- Member of the UK Executive and AUKL Board, holding SMF24 and SMF3 responsibilities, plus SMF7 responsibilities for other UK regulated boards
- Work with the EMEA COO, UK CEO and RLT to develop the UK strategy, implementing effective operating models to support the strategy.
- Partner with Business Unit Leaders and UK Leadership Team to develop and deliver a target operating model which supports growth and creates an ecosystem that will deliver innovation in addition to driving improvements in the current operations.
- Strong communicator, with experience of developing business strategy and adept at providing creative solutions, overcoming difficult challenges and delivering efficient, risk considered, cost effective client focused operations.
- Support growth in revenue and profit ensuring delivery of short-term financial results and long-term financial goals.
- Collaborative people leader who creates followership and drives success through the development of a target orientated, dedication and diverse team.
- Lead the development of the UK operating strategy.
- Develop and drive a multi-year operational strategy (covering technology, operations and D&A) that supports the overall business objectives, including achieving growth, margin, market share, quality, colleague engagement and client experience targets.
- Design, own and deliver the UK operating model across all elements of Client Service Delivery, Business Platforms, embedding risk and compliance, Procurement, technology, D&A and Growth Operations, that reflects the global Business Services and Client Service Delivery approach.
- Partner with client and solution line leadership to support the client growth agenda through enabling Growth Operations, product delivery, pricing strategies and client segmentation.
- Work closely with the UK CEO and UK CFO to ensure costs are tightly led, focusing on non-SIB items and investments.
- Support the development of M&A strategy with UK CEO, UK CCO and UK CFO.
- Lead change management and transformation across the UK
- Lead change management and transformation in the UK and the execution of central initiatives to deliver business results. Develop and lead the organisational change agenda on behalf of the UK CEO and EMEA COO.
- Work with the UK CFO to lead investment priorities.
- Partner with UK CEO, UK CFO and Leadership Team to develop the merger, divestments and acquisition agenda and lead operational integration activities.
- Champion innovation across the UK.
- Operate as the leader of the Aon Business Services organization in the UK
- Be an active member of the EMEA Aon Business Services leadership team, shaping initiatives that have an impact on the UK.
- Champion the creation and development of a unified Aon Business Services organization across EMEA, including the build and use of a UK Client Services Hub, unifying operational activity across UK business, EMEA and globally.
- Partner with Aon Business Services leaders and teams to fully maximise global teams (Operations, Technology, Procurement, Security and D&A) within the UK.
- Create an effective governance model to enable Aon Business Services leaders to be able to operate across the UK.
- Partner with the Aon Business Services team and people organisation to develop career growth strategies for Operations colleagues through trainings, skills upgrades and career development plans.
- Ensure that the UK’s ABS Services team is diverse and ensure that teams operate in a unified way with an inclusive culture.
- Ensure the measurement and delivery of operational and other performance metrics in the UK.
- Own and lead operational, client service delivery and technology costs (direct and allocated) within the UK P&L.
- In conjunction with GSM, maintain relationship with third party providers, resolving issues and drive more effective performance where needed.
- Ensure effective and compliant operating practice across the UK
- Work with Leadership Team to ensure that effective processes are embedded across the UK to ensure risk is led, an effective control environment is in place and the UK remains aligned with all regulations and corporate policies.
- Work with UK and global functional leaders to ensure effective functional processes are in place..
- Act as the key interface between global functions and the UK
- Ensure that Enterprise Risk Management practices are embedded in the UK.
- Work with the Aon Internal Audit to understand potential risks within operating practices and ensure audit findings are closed quickly and effectively.
- Ensure that effective operational resilience, business continuity and disaster recovery planning is in place.
Skills and experience that will lead to success
- Stakeholder management, interpersonal skills, and relationship building skills are required for the successful execution of this role
- Validated experience in a combination of finance, operations and program management roles working in a matrixed, global organization
- Experience leading and driving sophisticated projects to completion
- Ability to lead by influence and drive consensus among senior executives as well as lead and motivate cross-functional, interdisciplinary teams to achieve tactical and strategic goals
- Demonstrated ability to adapt to new environments and lead and inspire change
- Ability to lead by influence and drive consensus among senior executives as well as lead and motivate cross-functional, interdisciplinary teams to achieve tactical and strategic goals
- Strong work ethic, tenacious, solutions-focused problem solver
- Strong interpersonal skills, written and verbal, ability to communicate complex ideas simplistically
- Candour to give honest assessments and valuable advice and counsel as well as maintain confidentiality
- Validated leadership skills with demonstrated integrity, ability to be successfully deliver in a highly matrixed organisation and stakeholder management abilities.
- Excellent analytical, numerical and information gathering skills. Settles pertinent information required by management to make effective decisions. Ensures that the gathering, processing, distribution and use of this information occur in a timely, accurate and cost-effective manner.
- Motivation, coaching and development of staff and evidence of proactive management of performance issues.
- Good understanding of the industries Aon operates within; evidence of applying industry standard methodology or solutions to reduce risk or improve customer service.
- A track record of operating successfully in a regulated environment and with a good understanding of risk management, legal and compliance issues.
How we support our colleagues
In addition to our comprehensive benefits package, we encourage a diverse workforce. Plus, our agile, inclusive environment allows you to lead your wellbeing and work/life balance, ensuring you can be your best self at Aon. Furthermore, all colleagues enjoy two “Global Wellbeing Days” each year, encouraging you to take time to focus on yourself. We offer a variety of working style solutions, but we also recognise that flexibility goes beyond just the place of work... and we are all for it. We call this Smart Working!
Our continuous learning culture inspires and equips you to learn, share and grow, helping you achieve your fullest potential. As a result, at Aon, you are more connected, more relevant, and more valued.
We provide individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment in accordance with applicable law. Please contact us to request an accommodation on ReasonableAdjustments@Aon.com
Aon values an innovative, diverse workplace where all colleagues feel empowered to be their authentic selves. Aon is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.
Dependant on regional requirements, please include specific benefits where applicable and relevant accommodation criteria and enhanced equal opportunities statement.
