Senior Director - Financial Services Improvement

Description

Business Unit:  Financial Services Improvement (FSI):

This role sits within the FSI team at Alvarez and Marsal in London. Our FSI practice provides assistance to financial institutions which are seeking organic or inorganic growth opportunities, requires restructuring or is seeking to conduct strategic reviews.  Working directly with our client’s management, A&M's involvement reassures all stakeholders that the company is taking important steps to address its problems and to maximise value.

We work with clients across the FS including; on Banks, Private Equity investors, Regulatory authorities, Insurers, wealth and asset managers and other specialised FS firms. A&M’s FSI professionals work on some of the world’s most high-profile cases in a rapidly transforming financial services landscape, striving for game-changing solutions that provide impactful long-term change.  Our global team is comprised of seasoned financial services executives from diverse backgrounds, former senior industry executives, financial institution regulators and highly skilled consultants.

Purpose of the role:

An opportunity exists for an Insurance experienced professional (Director or Senior Director level) based in our Paris office. Entrenched in the challenges that the Insurance sector faces in today’s challenging market conditions, the successful hire will be experienced in designing solutions, conducting strategic reviews or business diagnostics, executing change delivery and solutions that address businesses critical issues.

The successful appointee will work with our existing team and build the profile and reputation of the Firm in the Performance Improvement (PI) with a route to market directly into Financial Services across the European region. Building on the success of the A&M brand, the successful candidate will bring unrivalled experience from both operational and advisory roles in the Financial Services sector.

The preferred candidate will support the development and execution of the A&M PI strategy for key clients and distinctive go-to-market propositions. They will reflect the operational distinctiveness that is A&M; a business savvy, solution focused business entrepreneur determined to make a difference and not afraid to challenge the status-quo.

Key responsibilities:

• Proactively supporting the development of a robust plan to generate deal flow and generate sustained repeat business;
• Acting as a delivery director for PI services to the Insurance industry;
• Leading rapid diagnostic and strategic transformation programmes that improve the business of today as well as enable the business of tomorrow;
• Working closely with A&M’s PEPI (Private Equity Performance Improvement) team to apply a data driven, PE-lens approach to project delivery;
• Coordinating with the broader European FS A&M team, developing a joined up go to market plan, leading international project teams, as well as developing the brand;
• Advising clients on problem areas recommending solutions and providing technical advice;
• Working closely with senior stakeholders in the clients’ business and with professionals from leading financial institutions;
• Leading initiatives within the PI team – including mentoring, knowledge sharing, etc. – to embed the A&M culture and values.

Requirements for this position:

The preferred candidate for this appointment will be an action-oriented self-starter with entrepreneurial flair. He/she will be comfortable working independently as well as part of a high performing team. Critically, they will bring a network of contacts with a successful track-record of successfully executing complex PI projects.

Specifically, the successful candidate will have:

• Successful track-record within a well-established consulting business– from a top tier strategy firm, a leading specialist and/or niche advisory firm or ‘Big 4’ consultancy.
• Established leadership experience, with the above outlined advisory or Industry experience. Ideally, the successful candidate will also have a demonstrable track-record of strategic change delivery within the market Strong experience in delivering rapid strategic programmes to provide clients with strategic insights – specifically cost reduction diagnostics, operational due diligence, and / or post-merger synergy work
• Will be an expert in the Insurance space in Performance Improvement with strong expertise both in merger integration and cost take out;
• Demonstrable track record in converting business contacts and leads into sustainable, profitable revenue streams;
• Bring experience of managing teams and working across multiple locations in Europe (and ideally globally), including third-party and in-house teams;
• Proven evidence of delivering complex business change
• Must be fluent in English (verbal & written). Any additional European language skills would be highly desirable;
• At least a Bachelor’s or equivalent degree from an accredited university. 

Why A&M?

Companies, investors and government entities around the world turn to Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) for leadership, action and results.  A&M’s leadership is about a bias towards action and the willingness to tell clients what we think is needed. Our restructuring heritage sharpens our ability to act decisively.  Clients select us for our deep expertise and ability to create and deliver practical, rather than theoretical, solutions to their unique problems in addition to our objectivity. 

Privately held since its founding in 1983, A&M is a leading global professional services firm that provides advisory, business performance improvement and turnaround management services. When conventional approaches are not enough to create transformation and drive change, clients seek our deep expertise and ability to deliver practical solutions to their unique problems.

With over 6000 people across four continents, we deliver tangible results for corporates, boards, private equity firms, law firms and government agencies facing complex challenges. Our senior leaders, and their teams help companies act decisively, catapult growth and accelerate results. We are experienced operators, world-class consultants, former regulators and industry authorities with a shared commitment to telling clients what’s really needed for turning change into a strategic business asset, managing risk and unlocking value at every stage of growth.

Diversity & Inclusion

A&M’s entrepreneurial culture celebrates independent thinkers and doers who can positively impact our clients and shape our industry. The collaborative environment and engaging work—guided by A&M’s core values of Integrity, Quality, Objectivity, Fun, Personal Reward, and Inclusive Diversity—are the main reasons our people love working at A&M. Inclusive Diversity means we embrace diversity, and we foster inclusiveness, encouraging everyone to bring their whole self to work each day. It runs through how we recruit, develop employees, conduct business, support clients, and partner with vendors. It is the A&M way.

Voluntary Inclusion

It is Alvarez & Marsal’s practice to provide and promote equal opportunity in employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, pregnancy, marital status, family status, religion, national origin, age or disability or any other non-merit based factor or any other characteristics in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Unsolicited Resumes from Third-Party Recruiters

Please note that as per A&M policy, we do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters unless such recruiters are engaged to provide candidates for a specified opening and in alignment with our Inclusive Diversity values. Any employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the understanding that A&M will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity.