Chief Risk & Compliance Officer

We have been exclusively mandated with the search for a CRCO.

Our client is a global leader within the reinsurance sector. The company supports insurers worldwide through sophisticated risk-transfer solutions, offering expertise across a broad spectrum of non-life and specialty lines. As part of its strategic expansion, the organization is strengthening its presence in Switzerland, establishing a regulated entity in one of the most important global insurance and financial hubs.

With decades of industry experience and a commitment to operational excellence, the firm is building a modern, agile, and globally integrated reinsurance platform that benefits from international reach while maintaining full local accountability under Swiss regulatory standards.

Role Overview

The Chief Risk and Compliance Officer will establish and oversee the company’s risk management and compliance framework. As a key control function under Swiss insurance supervision law, the CRCO ensures the identification, measurement, monitoring, and management of all material risks while maintaining full compliance with laws, regulations, and internal policies.

Key Responsibilities

Risk Management Framework

The CRCO will design, implement, and maintain a comprehensive risk management framework appropriate for a Category 4 reinsurer, encompassing underwriting risk, market risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, operational risk, and strategic risk. This includes the development of risk policies, risk appetite statements, risk limits, and key risk indicators for approval by the Board of Directors.

Swiss Solvency Test (SST)

Working closely with the CFO and the appointed actuary, the CRCO will oversee the company's Swiss Solvency Test process, including the identification and quantification of risks, the validation of internal models (if applicable), and the preparation of SST documentation for FINMA submission.

Compliance Function

The CRCO will establish and lead the compliance function, ensuring the company's adherence to Swiss insurance supervision law (VAG), anti-money laundering regulations, sanctions requirements, data protection laws (including Swiss FADP and GDPR where applicable), and other relevant regulatory requirements. This includes the development of compliance policies, monitoring programs, and training initiatives.

Regulatory Relations

The CRCO will serve as a primary point of contact with FINMA on supervisory matters, coordinating regulatory examinations, responding to supervisory inquiries, and ensuring timely submission of regulatory reports and notifications.

Internal Control System

The CRCO will contribute to the design and monitoring of the company's internal control system, working with other control functions (internal audit, actuarial function) to ensure a coordinated approach to governance, risk, and compliance.

Risk Reporting

The CRCO will prepare regular risk reports for the Executive Committee, the Risk and Audit Committee, and the Board of Directors, providing independent assessment of the company's risk profile, emerging risks, and the effectiveness of risk mitigation measures.

Qualifications and Experience

• University degree in Law, Finance, Economics, Risk Management or a related field
• Professional certifications in risk management or compliance are highly desirable, such as: FRM (Financial Risk Manager), PRM (Professional Risk Manager), CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist), ICA Diploma in Compliance
• Minimum 10 years of experience in risk management and/or compliance or related control functions within the insurance or reinsurance industry
• At least 5 years in a senior role with responsibility for overseeing both risk management and compliance
• Expert knowledge of Swiss insurance regulation, including: Insurance Supervision Act (VAG) and Insurance Supervision Ordinance (AVO)
• Relevant FINMA circulars on corporate governance, risk management, and compliance
• Experience with the Swiss Solvency Test (SST) and Solvency II frameworks (risk-based capital and solvency regulation)
• Prior experience interacting with FINMA or equivalent supervisory authorities is strongly preferred
• Fluency in English and German is required