Chief Project Officer (CPO) - Insurance & Investments

About the role

The Chief Project Officer leads the organization's strategic project portfolio, enterprise-wide program management and major transformation initiatives across its insurance and investment businesses. Working closely with the CEO, Board and senior management, the CPO sets up project governance, optimizes resources, manages delivery risks and ensures measurable results from project investments.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and run the enterprise project and portfolio strategy, assessing feasibility, business cases and risks, and monitoring portfolio performance.
• Lead initiatives in life insurance, general insurance, reinsurance, investment management, wealth management and financial services, including product launches, claims and underwriting processes, and digital platforms.
• Establish and oversee the PMO, including standards, stage-gate reviews, reporting and governance.
• Lead digital transformation projects such as InsurTech, FinTech, automation, AI, cloud, CRM and enterprise systems, working with CIO, CTO and CDO teams.
• Manage project budgets, ROI, cost-benefit analysis, and external consultants, vendors and contractors.
• Identify and manage operational, financial, regulatory and technology risks, and coordinate with risk, legal, compliance and internal audit teams.
• Lead transformation programs covering restructuring, M&A, joint ventures, geographic expansion and process improvement.
• Collaborate with the CEO, Board and business unit heads, resolve conflicts and report to executives and the Board.
• Lead project directors, program and project managers and PMO professionals, setting performance standards and professional development.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Project Management, Engineering, IT or a related field; MBA or Master's preferred.
• 12-15+ years of progressive experience in project, program, portfolio management or enterprise transformation.
• At least 5 years in a senior executive role overseeing complex project portfolios.
• Experience in insurance, reinsurance, banking, investment management, asset management, wealth management or financial services preferred.
• Proven track record of delivering large-scale projects within budget and timeline.
• Preferred certifications: PMP, PgMP, PfMP, PRINCE2 Practitioner, Agile or Scrum.

Required skills

• Knowledge of Agile, Waterfall, PRINCE2, PMI and other project delivery methodologies.
• Strong financial planning, budgeting, risk management and resource allocation.
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, analytical and stakeholder management skills.