Zurich Schweiz betreut das Lebens- und Schadenversicherungsgeschäft der Zurich Insurance Group in der Schweiz. Als traditionsreiches Unternehmen mit starken Wurzeln in der Schweiz sind uns die Tugenden wie Präzision, Zuverlässigkeit und Sicherheit wichtig. Unser Kerngeschäft ist der Umgang mit Risiken. Ob Privatpersonen, KMU oder global tätige Firmen: Wir helfen unseren Kunden, ihre Risiken zu verstehen und schützen sie mit umfassenden Lösungen. Zurich gehört zu den grössten Versicherungsgesellschaften in der Schweiz. Weltweit ist die Zurich Insurance Group mit mehr als 55000 Mitarbeitenden in über 170 Ländern tätig.
Zurich Schweiz betreut das Lebens- und Schadenversicherungsgeschäft der Zurich Insurance Group in der Schweiz. Als traditionsreiches Unternehmen mit starken Wurzeln in der Schweiz sind uns die Tugenden wie Präzision, Zuverlässigkeit und Sicherheit wichtig. Unser Kerngeschäft ist der Umgang mit Risiken. Ob Privatpersonen, KMU oder global tätige Firmen: Wir helfen unseren Kunden, ihre Risiken zu verstehen und schützen sie mit umfassenden Lösungen. Zurich gehört zu den grössten Versicherungsgesellschaften in der Schweiz. Weltweit ist die Zurich Insurance Group mit mehr als 55000 Mitarbeitenden in über 170 Ländern tätig.
Head of Expense Strategy and Performance Management
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129691
Zurich North America (ZNA) is seeking Head of Enterprise Expense Strategy & Performance Management to lead financial stewardship, optimization, and strategic evolution of direct expenses across the organization. This role reports to the Head of Planning & Performance Management (PPM) and is preferably based at our Schaumburg, IL headquarters, or Chicago, IL office
This is a high-impact enterprise leadership role responsible for shaping how ZNA plans, governs, and optimizes its expense base in support of profitable growth. The role partners closely with Business Unit and Functional leaders, Finance leadership, and the ZNA Executive Committee to ensure expense investments are aligned with strategic priorities, productivity objectives, and long-term value creation
You will lead a team of finance professionals embedded across the organization, providing insight, challenge, and strategic guidance, moving beyond traditional cost control toward forward-looking expense strategy, transformation, and performance discipline
Own the enterprise-wide direct expense strategy, ensuring alignment with financial plan, portfolio priorities, and growth objectives
Translate strategic priorities into clear expense guardrails, targets, and investment trade-offs. Bring forward insights to continuously improve efficiency, productivity, and return on investment
Monitor expense trends, benchmarks, and best practices across the insurance industry and broader financial services market
Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of financial analysts partnering with Business Units and Functions
Foster a culture of accountability, insight-driven decision-making, and enterprise thinking
Planning, Forecasting & Governance
Oversee expense planning, budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis across the enterprise
Ensure consistent governance, data quality, and transparency of expense information and reporting
Assess the effectiveness of existing expense management policies and frameworks and recommend enhancements to strengthen discipline, flexibility, and strategic alignment
Act as a trusted advisor to Business, Functional, and Finance leadership on expense decisions, trade-offs, and optimization opportunities
Support the Executive Committee in delivering plan commitments and achieving enterprise expense targets
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelors Degree and 10 or more years of experience in the Financial Analysis or Reporting area
Experience providing strategic financial insight and consultation to business leadership
People management experience
Preferred Qualifications:
Proven experience managing and analyzing expense planning, forecasting and performance management across a large, diversified enterprise
Advanced financial analysis, strategic problem-solving, and decision-support capabilities
Strong executive presence with the ability to influence without authority
Insurance or financial services industry experience with strong commercial acumen
Track record of driving change, transformation, and improved financial discipline
Experience building inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing teams
Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and organizational skills
Your pay at Zurich is based on your role, location, skills, and experience. We follow local laws to ensure fair compensation. You may also be eligible for bonuses and merit increases. If your expectations are above the listed range, we still encourage you to apply—your unique background matters to us. The pay range shown is a national average and may vary by location. The proposed Salary range for this position is $164,500.00 - $269,400.00, with short-term incentive bonus eligibility set at 25%
We offer competitive pay and comprehensive benefits for employees and their families. [Learn more about Total Rewards .]
Why Zurich?
At Zurich, we value your ideas and experience. We offer growth, inclusion, and a supportive environment—so you can help shape the future of insurance. Zurich North America is a leader in risk management, with over 150 years of expertise and coverage across 25+ industries, including 90% of the Fortune 500®
Zurich in North America does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy or other characteristics protected by applicable law. Equal Opportunity Employer disability/vets
Zurich does not accept unsolicited CVs from agencies. Preferred vendors should use our Recruiting Agency Portal