Head of Finance Transformation

Zurich North America is seeking a VP, Finance Transformation Lead to drive the end-to-end execution of the organization's Finance Transformation program. This role reports to Head of Planning & Performance Management and is based at one of our offices in Schaumburg, IL, Chicago, IL, or New York, NY, following a hybrid work model.

This is a high-impact enterprise leadership role responsible for reshaping how Finance delivers value — evolving it from a stewardship function into a trusted performance partner that drives profitable growth, sharpens decisions, and powers Zurich's competitive edge through insight, discipline, and intelligent automation. The role partners closely with the CFO, COO, CIO, CDO, and Business Unit Finance leaders to deliver measurable improvements across processes, technology, data, and operating model design, aligned with the broader Global Finance Transformation.

You will lead a cross-functional program spanning Finance and Actuarial, owning the transformation roadmap from strategy through execution. This includes modernizing core systems, deploying AI and automation, building a unified data foundation, and driving the cultural and organizational change required to sustain a modern, high-performing Finance function.

Key Accountabilities:

Lead Large-Scale Finance Transformation:

• Own the Finance Transformation Roadmap end-to-end, spanning data accuracy, process simplification, automated booking and billing, forward-looking FP&A, proactive reserving, and expense optimization.
• Build and own the transformation business case, quantify benefits, track ROI, and present recommendations to executive leadership.
• Develop and implement the Finance Target Operating Model aligned with U.S. and Global priorities.

Drive Program Delivery:

• Serve as the day-to-day program leader across all transformation workstreams, coordinating with Finance leaders across accounting, reporting, planning, reserving, reinsurance, and operations.
• Manage external consulting and technology partnerships, ensuring quality delivery and alignment with transformation objectives.

Enable Technology & Data Modernization:

• Partner with Technology leadership to define the target-state architecture for Finance — including core systems (e.g., SAP, Databricks, Anaplan), data infrastructure, and AI/automation capabilities.
• Champion the adoption of AI, machine learning, and agentic workflows to shift Finance from manual data gathering to exception-based, insight-driven work.
• Drive the creation of a unified Finance data layer as a single source of truth across all Finance verticals.

Leadership & Change Management:

• Lead comprehensive change management across the Finance organization, ensuring successful adoption of new processes, systems, and ways of working.
• Manage and develop a team of transformation professionals, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
• Establish governance standards for transformation delivery — including milestone tracking, risk management, and executive reporting.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree and 10 or more years of experience in the Financial Planning area  
  AND
• Experience collecting and managing qualitive and quantitative data
• People management experience 

Preferred Qualifications:

• MBA, CPA, or relevant advanced degree
• 7+ years of experience leading large-scale finance transformation programs, enterprise system implementations, or operating model redesigns
• Proven track record of leading complex, multi-year, multi-workstream finance programs from inception through delivery, with measurable outcomes
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing cross-functional teams and influencing senior stakeholders at the C-suite level
• Strong understanding of insurance or financial services finance operations, including accounting, reporting, planning, and actuarial processes
• Experience managing external consulting or technology partners in a transformation context
• Hands-on knowledge of SAP S/4HANA, Databricks, Anaplan, or comparable enterprise finance, data, and planning platforms
• Experience with broader finance technology ecosystems including data warehousing, BI/reporting tools, cloud platforms, and workflow automation
• P&C insurance finance background — familiarity with premium accounting, reserving, reinsurance, and regulatory reporting
• Experience deploying AI/automation in a finance context — including intelligent process automation, agentic AI, or advanced analytics
• Strong knowledge of ICFR, SOX compliance, and internal controls frameworks
• Excellent executive communication skills — ability to influence without authority and translate complex transformation concepts into clear, actionable narratives
• Track record of driving change, transformation, and improved financial discipline
• Experience working in a matrixed, global organization

Your pay at Zurich is based on your role, location, skills, and experience. We follow local laws to ensure fair compensation. You may also be eligible for bonuses and merit increases. If your expectations are above the listed range, we still encourage you to apply—your unique background matters to us. The pay range shown is a national average and may vary by location. The proposed Salary range for this position is $152,400.00 - $249,500.00, with short-term incentive bonus eligibility set at 25%.

We offer competitive pay and comprehensive benefits for employees and their families. [Learn more about Total Rewards here.]

Why Zurich?

At Zurich, we value your ideas and experience. We offer growth, inclusion, and a supportive environment—so you can help shape the future of insurance. Zurich North America is a leader in risk management, with over 150 years of expertise and coverage across 25+ industries, including 90% of the Fortune 500®.

Join us for a brighter future—for yourself and our customers.

Zurich in North America does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy or other characteristics protected by applicable law. Equal Opportunity Employer disability/vets.

Zurich complies with 18 U.S. Code § 1033.

Please note: Zurich does not accept unsolicited CVs from agencies. Preferred vendors should use our Recruiting Agency Portal.

Location(s): AM - Schaumburg, AM - Chicago, AM - New York
Remote Working: Hybrid
Schedule: Full Time
Employment Sponsorship Offered: No  
 
Linkedin Recruiter Tag: #LI-GR1 #LI-EXECUTIVE #LI-HYBRID