Strategy Project Manager

AXA’s purpose is to “act for human progress by protecting what matters”. We want to make the change from being a payer to a partner. In AXA Group Operations (AXA GO), our vision is to scale Tech, Data and Operations, to create a competitive advantage for AXA. The objective is to support all of AXA’s teams and empower them to take on responsibility in order to achieve this shared purpose.

AXA Group Operations main activities are to Deliver the common IT capabilities supporting all the entities of the Group as well as setting direction on innovation, IT architecture, procurement and security for all AXA as part of its corporate mandates

Team Purpose:

The GO Strategy team, established in January 2020, is dedicated to defining and steering the GO Strategy in alignment with the AXA Group Strategic cycles. The team ensures the implementation of the transformation roadmap by setting up a dedicated governance and aligning investments with strategic objectives across AXA Group Operations.

Position Purpose:

As the Strategy Project Manager, you will play a pivotal role within the GO Strategy team, focusing on delivering strategic projects for AXA Group Operations transformation and for the execution of our Strategy.

AXA GO Strategic Priorities:

• Accelerate Data & AI Transformation: Drive initiatives to enhance Data & AI capabilities to better serve business needs (e.g., AXA, thanks to AXA GO, was for instance the first insurer in the world to launch its internal version of GPT).
• Optimize Operational Efficiency: Streamline processes and operations to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Foster Innovation and Agility: Cultivate a culture of innovation and agility to adapt to evolving market dynamics.

Missions :

As a Strategy Project Manager at AXA Group Operations, you will lead strategic projects contributing to these priorities. Among the crucial strategic initiatives that contribute to the realization of our strategic ambition, we have programs focused on Operational Excellence, Data & AI, HR Transformation, and Enterprise Project Portfolio Management Tooling.

The Strategy Project Manager will be in charge of leading one of those transversal initiatives in full autonomy, directly reporting to the Head of Strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

• Project Scoping, Planning, and Goal Setting: Develop structured schedules and project plans based on project goals, required resources, potential risks, time to market, and budget constraints. This includes meticulous planning to ensure successful project execution.
• Project Execution and Governance: Track deadlines, deliverables, resources, and timelines throughout the project process. Hold owners accountable for their commitments and conduct program team meetings to provide status updates and identify and resolve issues promptly.
• Reporting and Communication: Create and maintain up-to-date documents supporting strategic initiatives at GO level, providing valuable insights and recommendations to support strategic decision-making and operational efficiency. This involves clear and concise communication to ensure alignment across all stakeholders.
• C-Level Stakeholder Management: Engage and manage C-level stakeholders to secure their alignment with project objectives, providing regular updates, and addressing any issues proactively to ensure their continued support.

Why choose to join us?

Due to the strategic dimension of the projects to be led, the Strategy Project Manager will be exposed to C-Level stakeholders, with AXA GO ExCom members as sponsors, which makes this position a great entry point to join AXA and later move on great development opportunities.

In joining GO Strategy you will join a young and dynamic « human sized » team, with professionals from different complimentary backgrounds, recognized for its capability to deliver challenging projects with rigor and energy, its team spirit, its capacity to challenge the status quo and ability to “be serious without taking themselves too seriously”, notably during intense karaoke sessions.

Your growth is our priority: AXA has in place several initiatives to make sure you continue to rise to your full potential (mentoring, feedback, advanced and up to date training catalogue, seminars, etc.).

PROFILE

Required Technical Competencies:

• Stakeholder Management: Identify and engage with key stakeholders, ensuring their expectations are managed and objectives are aligned with project goals.
• Third-Party Management: Effectively manage interactions with external parties to ensure successful project delivery (e.g. external T&M of fixed price consulting professionals contributing to projects).
• Quality Management: Ensure that projects and products are delivered with the expected quality standards.

Required Soft Skills & Behavioral Competencies:

• Leadership: Cultivate an environment that fosters leadership excellence, effectively communicating the AXA Group and AXA GO vision and goals.
• Problem Solving: Provide relevant and effective solutions tailored to the complexity, scope, risk, and magnitude of the problem at hand.
• Decision Making: Provide advice on decisions related to strategy, policy, and strategic project scoping.
• Interpersonal Skills: Display assertiveness, empathy, active listening, persuasive skills, and interpersonal abilities.

Qualifications:

• Education: Master’s degree (MBA, Grande École) preferred.
• Overall Work Experience: a minimum of 7 years of experience in consulting or strategic project management.
• Skills / Abilities: Excellent analytical and numerical skills, attention to detail, ability to function effectively in a matrix structure, and comfort with senior stakeholders.