Since March 2021, we are a Mission-driven company. We defined 9 concrete commitments to illustrate this mission, such as writing our insurance contracts in plain language. We also create insurance products at cost for associations.

The UK company is new and as such there is much to implement and deliver to successfully achieve the strategic plans. To support the company's strong profitable growth, Wakam is looking for a Head of Operations UK, who will act as our SMF 24 responsibility with the UK regulator(s).

⌖ The Mission

In a matrix organisation, you’ll be report to the UK Branch Manager with a dotted lined with the VP Tech and VP Data based in France

The Head of Operations role is a key component of achieving these profitable growth plans and will be responsible for managing all the operational delivery much of which is outsourced on mainly Tech & Data.

The scope of the role will include all the key material service providers eg all Technology/Data, but also Finance processing / Actuarial / Underwriting and other services. You will be able to rely on the Finance, Actuary, Underwriting teams in Wakam UK for domain experience/expertise, but there is no other domain experience for Technology/Data in UK.

• Planning, developing and implementing the strategy for the operational management and development of the Company to ensure that the agreed organizational performance plans are met within the agreed budgets and timescales (including claims, outsourcing, marketing and distribution, underwriting, IT and HR),
• Responsible for coordination of actions and issue resolution activities with Service Owners and service providers regarding outsourced activities and act as a first point of call for issue resolution,
• Establishing and maintaining appropriate systems for measuring necessary aspects of operational management and development (including the Company's Outsourcing Register),
• Undertaking the day-to-day activities for the monitoring of all activities outsourced (except for underwriting and claims activities) to third parties or to Wakam Group companies,
• Liaising with other functional/departmental managers to understand all necessary aspects and needs of operational development, and to ensure they are fully informed of operational objectives, purposes and achievements,
• Interact closely with Wakam Business teams to understand the product and the data needed to ensure Wakam can act fully and safely as a risk carrier and ensure that data is delivered.
• Provide data advice and requirements to the UK partners based on the product specificities and Wakam's data needs in a timely manner and making sure the datas are accurate and appropriate quality
• Report on data implementation projects progress via dedicated tools, both in Data Office committees and Business Committees
• Responsible for establishing an appropriate control environment for ensuring all information technology systems are operating effectively and as intended as required under the Operational Risk Policy. This includes ensuring key policies around matters of confidentiality, information security, integrity, access and preservation of data are designed to mitigate risks of potential exposure of information assets.
• Responsible for implementing associated Data Protection processes and procedures alongside the Head of Compliance,
• Managing and controlling departmental expenditure within agreed budgets,

✯ Profile requirements

• You have significant experience in a similar position and ideally already holding SMF24 with a solid experience in managing outsourcing providers, ideally in technology/data outsourcing
• You have the ability to manage multiple projects at the same time
• Ability to work on initiatives at both strategic and macro level but also to operate at detailed level. The role requires a ‘hands on’ approach
• Ability to lead and mentor cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing and reporting on robust processes and procedures to ensure compliance
• Strong experience in operational forecasting and monitoring
• Bonus : if you have good level of french in a professional context (reading, writing, speaking) and if you have previously worked in the insurance industry

Expected qualities:

• You are passionate about your job and want to share your experience with others
• You are driven by a continuous learning and improvement approach
• You are appreciated for your commitment
• Highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong written and verbal communication and influencing skills,
• A commitment to a collaborative work environment, quality programs and data driven program evaluation, and customer centric

Recruitment process

1. Interview with the Lead recruiter
2. Interview with the UK Branch Manager
3. Interview with the VP Data and VP Tech
4. HR interview with the Head of Talent

=> Welcome @Wakam 🙌

Positive energy, agility, and team spirit are essential to support Wakam in its hyper-growth!

You have the Wakam mindset? Join us!

More about us

Our culture? Free to impact. A culture where everything is possible, where all ideas are taken into consideration, where everyone has an impact on the transformation of insurance! Hungry for freedom? Thirsty for autonomy? If you are adventurous and like challenges, then the Wakam adventure might be made for you!

Discover -on our website- who we really are with the 11 cultural markers that so well describe us!

Mindset compatibility with our ‘Free to Impact’ culture:

1. Think big
2. Biased for action
3. Curious and eager to learn
4. Can say no and find solutions
5. Aims for the moon (but please don’t stick on the moon)
6. And above all: have fun working together 🤜🤛 !

• Wakam is not based on a hierarchy but on a methodology where everyone finds his role and knows his objectives.
• With a flat hierarchical system and a highly collaborative operating model, Wakam is an extremely agile and transparent company.
• Every last Friday of the month, it's Free.day at Wakam, a day without meetings to take a step aside and dedicate ourselves to skills sponsorship or other activities (because we are curious, I remind you).
• Full-remote is a reality at Wakam (there is even one Wakamee who works from his sailing boat ⛵)
• Last but not least : we are nice and we have fun! (you'll find out by yourself 😉)