Head of Valuations, Director

We Are Waiting for You

 Hi there!

 I am Laura, the recruiter for this position. Nice to meet you!

First, a little bit about what I like the most about working at ServiZurich: The environment here is incredibly collaborative and innovative. Our tech-driven mindset fosters continuous learning and growth, creating an atmosphere where everyone can thrive.  Now, I can't wait to share this exciting journey with you at the Zurich!

Let me take a wild guess: you’ve probably sifted through countless job offers today, and they all seem to blur together. Sound familiar? Well, here’s the scoop: At Zurich, we might not have all the answers (and we’re not striving for perfection!), but we’ve got something special. Curious? Keep reading!

First off, THANK YOU for considering our company. We understand that finding the right opportunity can be tough, but I’ll try to make it easier.

Who Are We?

Let me introduce us. You’re reading about Zurich Insurance Group, a global leader in insurance, but this role specifically pertains to ServiZurich. Established in Barcelona in 2006, ServiZurich operates as an integral part of Zurich Insurance Group, providing cutting-edge technological solutions and support to Zurich's local and global business units.

In addition to our technological solutions, we excel in investment, administration, and accounting, ensuring comprehensive support for Zurich's diverse operations.

What Can You Expect?

As a Head of Valuations you will lead a team of quantitative analysts responsible for defining and overseeing the valuation and classification methodologies applied to financial instruments, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements. Additionally, the team is responsible of performing valuation of complex and /or illiquid financial instruments while bringing a broad financial market expertise to the Investment Administration & Accounting organization, providing quantitative and analytical expertise to address complex valuation topics and support strategic decision making.

And you might be thinking: This is great, what will my day-to-day be like, at Zurich? I’m glad you asked.

As a Head of Valuations, Director, your key tasks & accountabilities are:

• Establish and oversee global valuation frameworks, methodologies, procedures, and associated controls and governance, including Fair Value Measurement Guidance and IFRS13 Fair Value Hierarchy Level Allocation Guidance.
• Lead comprehensive pricing processes for various asset types, both traditional and non-traditional, including illiquid, complex, and model-driven valuations.
• Continue enhancing our pricing dashboard strategy to ensure complete transparency in pricing, underlying factors, and inputs related to our asset exposures.
• Ensure all pricing activities are complete, accurate, updated daily, independently reviewed, and fully compliant with internal and external regulations.
• Supervise the global investment valuation function by chairing the "IFRS Group Valuation Forum" and the Group IM "Pricing and Valuation Committee," efficiently driving related initiatives and working groups.
• Provide commentary for the ZIGs annual report on fair value determination, pricing sensitivities, and level allocation, movements.
• Conduct regular independent analyses of all pricing practices, market trends, and external vendor selections, including reviews of their fair value policies and service certifications.
• Serve as the primary service owner and single point of contact for all valuation and pricing matters with stakeholders. Maintain and oversee the model risk and pricing inventory.
• Manage relationships with external service providers, asset managers, and auditors.
• Foster and enhance financial market expertise within the organization, serving as a Subject Matter Expert in this domain.
• Provide quantitative and analytical ad hoc analysis to teams on pricing, reference data, and accounting or reporting topics. Tasks include onboarding complex products, feature assessment, cash flow modelling, evaluating embedded options, scenario analysis, and empirical/statistical research.
• Represent strategic topics to executive team members, risk departments, regulators, safeguarding valuation processes while optimizing efficiency, effectiveness, and automation.
• Creates a trusted and enabled environment where each team member can work at their best.
• Coaches and assesses team members in establishing and leading high-performing teams, supporting the teams to reach their full potential.
• Work alongside experts in various technological domains.
• Enhance your skills with real-world experience
• Contribute to a team that values your input and creativity

What Makes You a Great Fit?

While we’re not seeking perfection or expecting you to save the world, we believe that if you meet some of these requirements, you’ll be a fantastic fit for our team. We are waiting for you!

As a Head of Valuations, Director, your skills and qualifications will ideally include:

• Master’s degree in Economics, Engineering, Finance or Mathematics/Statistics related field
• Additional advanced degrees in a related field (FRM, CFA, CAIA) are desirable
• 8+ years of relevant experience in a similar role within the finance industry
• Excellent managerial skills, including leadership, storytelling, presenting, and persuading
• Skilled stakeholder engagement, influencing on executive level
• Excellent understanding of Financial and Capital Markets
• Excellent understanding of Mathematical and Quantitative models
• Solid experience in Market Risk management and Valuation of financial instruments
• In-depth knowledge of valuation methods of traditional and non-traditional financial instruments and markets including structured securities, securitizations of pooled assets, private credit, syndicated loans
• Intermediate proficiency in data science, programming with affinity to modern tools, methods (e.g. GenAI, Python, SQL)
• Ability to think conceptually and procedurally, with an analytical and innovative mindset
• Experience in Data Management & Investment Accounting (IFRS13) would be a plus
• High proficiency in written and spoken English (fluent, negotiation level)

 And… What Makes Us Special?

As well as a competitive salary and a yearly bonus, we offer: 

• To support your work-life balance, we have adopted a flexible working model.
• Over 300 euros to set up your home office and additional monthly home office allowance.
• Wide range of internal and external trainings, English and Spanish classes depending on the needs.
• Ticket restaurant and Health Insurance with the flexibility to exchange it for other benefits.
• Life and accident insurance.
• Collective Life retirement Plan
• 2000 referral bonus if you bring other talented people like you to the company.
• Special banking and insurance conditions plus Exclusive Employees discounts 
• Functional diversity benefits 
• Different social clubs such as hiking, investment, beach volley and many more
• Stock options and mortgage benefits.  

Where Are We Located?

Via Augusta, Barcelona.

#Li-hybrid

 We Are Waiting for You.

Can you see yourself in this role? Don’t wait any longer! Apply by sending your CV in English.

If not, no worries! We’ll meet again in the future. Feel free to share my contact details with anyone you think would be a great fit.

At Zurich, we are an equal opportunity employer. We attract and retain the best-qualified individuals available, regardless of race/ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability.

ServiZurich– Your Talent, Our Strength

Why Zurich

At Zurich, we like to think outside the box and challenge the status quo. We take an optimistic approach by focusing on the positives and constantly asking What can go right? 

We are an equal opportunity employer who knows that each employee is unique - that’s what makes our team so great! 
Join us as we constantly explore new ways to protect our customers and the planet.
 

• Location(s):  ES - Barcelona 
• Remote working: Hybrid
• Schedule: Full Time
• Recruiter name: Laura Santamaría Rodríguez