Group Internal Control Officer

Why AXA? Every day, we work together for human progress by protecting what matters. A mission that puts a smile on your face and makes you want to get up in the morning

One of the world's leading insurers in the protection of property, people and assets, AXA is 145,000 employees and contributors who are committed to our customers on a daily basis, 51 countries in which we distribute our products and services and more than 90 million customers who place their trust in us worldwide.  As a responsible corporate citizen, AXA is committed to social and environmental causes on a daily basis. We are committed to an inclusive policy that recognizes and values individual differences. Do these ambitions speak to you? Then come and change the world with us

The headquarters of the AXA Group (GIE AXA) brings together our corporate activities. It provides guidance and support to subsidiaries around the world, to ensure the coordination and monitoring of the Group's global strategy, the application of its standards, the consistency of commercial approaches and the sharing of best practices. The headquarters gathers approximately 1000 employees and is distinguished by its strong international culture (45 nationalities), which makes it a rich and stimulating place to work.

Within the Group, you will join the Group Risk Management (GRM) department which role is to ensure the robustness and the sustainability of the Group's business, financial and non-financial performance through management of the associated risks. GRM represents a community of more than 1300 Risk Managers all around the Group with teas based in Paris, Winterthur and Madrid.

Within this Department, you will be part of the Group Internal Control team which role is to define a risk-based Group control framework with business experts and ensure it is correctly roll-out and maintained in the entities in scope. The objective is to provide reasonable assurance to the AXA Group senior management and Board of Directors regarding the achievement of strategy and objectives, reliable financial and non-financial reporting and compliance with laws, regulations and policies.

JOB PURPOSE

Responsible for deploying the AXA Group Internal Control framework within AXA entities, aligned with Top Management priorities and Board expectations. You will guide entities toward a sustainable Internal Control environment and monitor their reporting on the control framework to Group management, ensuring timely delivery and data quality. You will foster a risk-and-control-aware culture across the Group in a context of heightened scrutiny from regulators and board members. 

DIMENSION

• The Group Internal Control framework targets all AXA entities with a specific focus on the main AXA entities (approximately 26 entities and their subsidiaries)
• The Group Internal Control framework is addressed through Key Risks and Control Objectives split across 23 Macro Processes covering all business areas.
• The Group Internal Control programme Lead manages a team of 4 FTEs for the monitoring of the internal control family comprising circa 230 staff in local entities.
• The Group Internal Control Officer supervises a set of entities and monitors the implementation of the IC framework within designated business domains (macro processes).

CONTEXT AND MAJOR CHALLENGES

The Global internal control framework aims to improve risk understanding and reduce operational risks. It should drive targeted actions to mitigate risks in line with the risk appetite framework.  

It ensures that in each entity key internal controls are implemented, documented, assessed, and monitored for material risks, with clear management accountability and a second-line function in charge.

The internal control framework covers a large range of business areas and related risks, with the objective of keeping risks within agreed risk tolerance and reducing operational losses. Each year, risk and control teams across the Group manage around 20,000 controls, 2,500 operational incidents, and control failures with an estimated loss impact of €100M to €300M.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

1- Contribute to the implementation of the Group internal framework to ensure key internal controls are defined, implemented, documented, assessed and monitored against material risks, and report progress to Local and Group Top management

• Ensure global, consistent and efficient control framework reporting
• Ensure a robust local internal control function is established in the entities covered.
• Challenge local deliverables and reporting to meet Group deadlines and Group methodology, ensuring the required level of quality through Quality assurance process
• Contribute to Group-level reporting to the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee (ARCC)

2- Provide Group and local managers with the necessary support to implement the AXA Group Internal Control

• Support sustainable Internal Control practices at local level
• Establish and maintain appropriate communication with local Internal control organizations and Group business stakeholders to ensure alignment with Global programme objectives and adequate challenge
• Ensure internal control deliverables are consistent across entities and meet quality expectations
• Follow up on action plans

3- Ensure close collaboration with other control functions to maintain efficient and consistent frameworks

• Contribute to regular updates of the framework to reflect changes in Group standards, policies, regulatory environment, and of business changes
• Collaborate with other Control functions (Audit, Compliance, other Risk teams…) to maintain alignment, efficiency and shared vision of the status of the control environment
• Present regular progress updates and outputs of the internal framework to relevant Heads of professional families
• Contribute to the quality of information and evolution of SCALA, AXA's Group system for documenting and monitoring risk and controls

• 5+ years of experience in control function (Audit, risk management, internal control), preferably in Insurance or Financial services
• Strong knowledge in insurance business processes is required and related support processes
• High reliability, quality, and timeliness of deliverables
• Ability to manage cross-department projects and cross-countries teams
• Fluent written and spoken English
• Ability to interact with senior management and multiple stakeholders
• Appetence to work in an international and intercultural environment
• Proficient writing and presentation skills
• Strong communication, negotiation, and presentation abilities
• Team spirit in a collaborative work environment
• Ability to elicit cooperation from a wide range of sources, including Group and subsidiaries' management, business experts, control function representatives

You will join:

• A responsible company, towards people, including its employees and customers, and towards the planet 
• A company with strong values
• A company promoting internal mobility and the training of its employees
• A company offering many benefits (learn more here: Reward & Benefits | AXA Group)
• A flexible company, allowing hybrid work, in the office and from home.

In line with our commitments, we celebrate each new hire by taking action for global reforestation: we plant a tree for every recruitment. So, are you ready to apply?