Overview

We are seeking to hire a Deputy Chief Financial Officer to be based out of our London office.

The role will take a lead in assisting the Chief Financial Officer in:

The development and execution of the strategy for the Finance function (incorporating short and long-term objectives) including steps in its’ operational transformation plans.
Leadership of the Finance function in the wider organisational transformation programme with specific focus on the impact on Finance processing, systems and working practices and driving efficiencies and best practice.
Delivery of a robust multi-jurisdictional operating model aligned to the corporate vision and within a framework which complies with legal and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Through effective leadership, ultimately accountable for meeting legal and regulatory requirements across all CNA Hardy platforms, including the following:

Provides assurance over the processes and outcomes in respect of external regulatory and financial reporting to all relevant bodies in the UK and Europe and leads continuous improvement initiatives in these areas across the whole of Finance.
Understands and reports the financial position of all the group’s entities, exercises appropriate accounting, financial and capital management disciplines over them and liaises with relevant regulators and authorities as needed.
Working closely with the Financial Controller, maintains and develops a strong financial control framework within the Finance function and across the whole organization, collaborates closely with other control functions and leads an effective external audit interaction process.
Working closely with the Finance Operations Director, provides leadership across the operational aspects of Finance including, but not limited to, credit control, financial transactional processes and decisions, projects and operational financial systems.
Working closely with the Expense and Procurement Manager, controls the expense base of the organisation, oversees all spend and drives initiatives to deliver and demonstrate expense and productivity improvements including those from transformation programmes.
Working closely with the Finance Director of the European company (CICE), ensures the discrete financial needs of the entity are met and appropriately supported by centralised teams.
Develop and manages transformation plans for the future of the Finance function.
Takes a lead role in organisational transformation programmes to ensure appropriate Finance function input to project execution and Financial oversight of project spend and benefits delivery.
Provides centre of expertise business partnering services to all areas of the business with regard to financial decision making and the analysis of significant transactions.
Examines, challenges and evaluates financial reporting for internal and external purposes and develops material and insights for relevant boards and committees.
Chairs various meetings and forums in place of the CFO.
Leads by example, embedding a high performing culture reflective of the agreed vision and values across the functions within their remit.
Where threats and weaknesses are identified, takes proactive steps and applis critical thinking to solve complex problems and manage strategic risks arising.

People/Leadership

Builds and drives a high performing team:

Coaching and motivating direct reports to deliver on priorities and achieve superior outcomes aligned to the operational strategy and commercial objectives.
Harnessing individual's strengths, motivations and career aspirations in support of talent management and succession plans.
Identifying ongoing learning and development needs to build management, functional, professional and technical skills, capability and expertise.
Setting measurable goals for direct reports at least annually, evaluating and managing their performance and competence in the achievement of their strategic objectives.
Analyses and manages resource allocation and organisation structure across the finance functions within their area of control, ensuring that the delegated responsibilities are properly discharged.
Coordinates with internal stakeholders to set functional budgets and expenditure that optimise return on investment, implementing strategies to enhance innovation for those areas within their control.

Partnerships/Relationships

Responsible for establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with key:
Internal stakeholders including the CNA Financial “CNAF” Corporation's financial leadership, the Boards of Directors of the companies within the role's scope, CNAF’s Management and CNAF’s Finance functions,
External stakeholders including regulators most notably with regards to financial risk management ensuring that appropriate controls are in place.
Represents the organisation in relevant market forums.

Regulatory/Legal Compliance

Overall responsibility for the development, maintenance and monitoring of the CNA Hardy financial control environment including:
Accounting and reporting processes
Cash management and collection processes;
Policies and procedures for countering the risk of financial crime;
Other systems and processes to meet all financial requirements, safeguard assets and to identify and manage liabilities.
Accountable for discharging duties and responsibilities associated and assigned to the role by regulators within multiple jurisdictions.

Personal

Maintains a current, in-depth knowledge of:
The wider industry environment, to benchmark performance against the market and specific competitors.
Accounting rules including GAAP in relevant countries, Solvency II, Lloyd's and Companies Acts, ensuring that the organisation meets these requirements.
All financial regulatory obligations in all relevant territories including Sarbanes-Oxley requirements in the US to ensure ongoing compliance.
Maintains own fitness and propriety for the role, including a commitment to ongoing CPD.

Other

At all times our employees are expected to:

Act with integrity.
Act with due skill, care and diligence.
Be open and cooperative with the FCA, the PRA and other regulators.
Pay due regard to the interests of customers and treat them fairly.

Skills & Experience

Globally recognised professional Accounting qualification.
Proven business management experience at a senior level within a global insurance or financial services company.
In depth knowledge of global finance functions.
Proven leadership experience in a senior management/leadership capacity with a general insurer and experience of multiple carriers in the UK or internationally.
Strategic thinker evidencing foresight in the planning and development of the financial strategy and long and short term priorities.
Evidences focus and motivation to drive and execute the financial strategy, achieving agreed goals and objectives individually and through others.
Identifies and resolves obstacles that stand in the way of goal achievement.
Uses evidence to inform reasoning, draw conclusions and make sound, professional judgements, assuming responsibility for decisions taken.
Balances the importance of timely action with the need for thorough, unbiased decision making processes.
Continuous improvement mind-set, comfortable with ongoing change.
Experience and ability to design, scope, drive and deliver operational change programmes.
Acknowledged technical and market expert
Business and financial acumen
Industry specific knowledge including the regulatory environment
Technical literacy
Proven ability to manage multiple functions and budgets across jurisdictions
Implementation and operation of efficient and effective systems and controls
In-depth knowledge of finance and accounting practice and understanding of finance marketplace trends.
Strategic leadership and people management skills to build effective teams.
Demonstrates personal and professional integrity and models winning behaviours.
Clear and effective communicator with the ability to articulate and present the strategic vision, priorities and performance expectations to internal and external stakeholders.
Proven ability to influence, advocate, listen and challenge at industry, International, Board and group-level with a view to building consensus.
MBA, MSc or equivalent degree in the field of management or finance (desirable).
An additional foreign language (English being the primary language (desirable).

The Company

CNA Hardy is a leading specialist commercial insurance provider for clients within the Lloyd’s and company markets. We offer a highly specialised and comprehensive portfolio of innovative and market leading products. Coverage is available to businesses of all sizes for domestic, international and global exposures.

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