Zurich, Zurich, CH
Senior Digital & Technology Risk Manager (Hybrid; m/f/x/d; 80-100%)
The world is changing fast – and so is the risk landscape. At Swiss Re, we don't just respond to change – we help the world understand and manage it. As our Senior Digital & Technology Risk Manager, you will be at the heart of that mission: Building the governance frameworks, policies and independent oversight capabilities that allow Swiss Re to manage AI risk responsibly and with confidence.
About the Role
As a Senior Digital & Technology Risk Manager specialising in Artificial Intelligence (AI), you will play a leading role in shaping Swiss Re's Group-wide approach to AI risk management within the Second Line of Defence. Your primary focus will be developing and maintaining AI risk policies, standards and methodologies, alongside providing independent oversight and challenge of how AI risks are identified, assessed and managed across the organisation.
Working closely with AI Governance, Technology, Business Units and other Risk Management functions, you will translate emerging AI risks, regulatory expectations and industry developments into practical risk management requirements. You will combine strong risk management judgement with a sound understanding of AI technologies, drawing on specialist expertise where needed, and provide credible challenge and clear insights to senior management.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and evolve the AI risk framework, governance model and control objectives, defining KPIs and KRIs that give senior management a clear view of risk exposure.
- Monitor policy adherence and implementation maturity, driving improvement and contributing to the broader Group Operational Risk Management Framework.
- Lead the lifecycle of AI risk policies and standards owned by Risk Management, including development, stakeholder consultation, governance approvals, periodic review and continuous improvement.
- Ensure AI risk policies and standards remain aligned with the Group Operational Risk Management Framework, enterprise policy architecture and relevant regulatory expectations.
- Translate emerging AI risks and regulatory developments into practical risk management requirements and guidance that can be consistently applied across the organisation.
- Provide independent Second Line of Defence oversight and challenge of First Line AI risk management practices, governance arrangements and controls.
- Lead or contribute to risk-based thematic reviews and deep dives into material AI risk exposures, identifying deficiencies, recommending improvements and escalating significant concerns.
- Provide expert advice and constructive challenge to senior management, Business Units and relevant governance functions on AI risk exposure, risk acceptance and emerging developments.
- Prepare insightful, decision-relevant AI risk reporting for senior management and governance committees and promote risk awareness through engagement and knowledge sharing.
- Anticipate and assess emerging AI risks arising from evolving technologies and adoption patterns, including generative and agentic AI, increasingly autonomous systems, AI-enabled business processes and enterprise-wide workplace AI adoption. Ensure that risk management requirements and oversight approaches remain proportionate, practical and responsive to these developments.
About the Team
The Digital & Technology Risk Management team sits within Operational Risk Management at Swiss Re, acting as the Second Line of Defence for digital and technology risks across the Group. We provide independent oversight, challenge and insight across Swiss Re's technology landscape – from infrastructure and application security to digital innovation and AI. Through expert advice, robust governance and credible challenge, we help strengthen resilience, support informed risk-taking and enable responsible innovation.
About You
You bring more than technical knowledge – you bring Second Line of Defence credibility, sound judgement and the ability to make things happen in a dynamic environment. You understand what good independent oversight looks like and you know how to build governance that is both rigorous and enabling. You are as comfortable presenting to a Risk Management Committee as you are rolling up your sleeves to draft a policy or review a risk assessment. You take ownership, communicate with conviction, and never lose sight of the bigger picture: Helping Swiss Re manage AI risk in a way that creates lasting value.
We are looking for candidates who meet these requirements:
- At least seven years of relevant experience in operational risk management, technology risk, AI governance, risk advisory or assurance, preferably within a complex, international organisation.
- Demonstrated experience in independent risk assessment, oversight and credible challenge of business or technology risk management practices, ideally within a Second Line of Defence function.
- Experience developing, reviewing or materially contributing to enterprise policies, standards or risk management methodologies, with an understanding of how these are implemented in practice.
- Strong practical understanding of AI technologies, including generative and agentic AI, their associated risks, governance arrangements and control expectations. The ability to critically assess AI risk is essential; specialist AI engineering expertise is not required.
- Proven ability to lead risk assessments or thematic reviews, exercise sound independent judgement and communicate clear, actionable conclusions to senior stakeholders.
- Excellent written and spoken English, with the ability to translate complex technical and risk topics into clear policies, management reporting and practical guidance.
- Ability to work independently in a global environment, collaborate across functions and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
These are additional nice to haves:
- An academic qualification in Risk Management, Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology, Computer Science, Business or a related discipline.
- Relevant professional certifications in AI governance, technology risk or operational risk management, such as IAPP AIGP, CRISC, CISA or CISSP.
- Experience within financial services, insurance or reinsurance, including engagement with regulators, external auditors or industry bodies.
- Familiarity with recognised AI governance and risk management frameworks, including the NIST AI Risk Management Framework and ISO/IEC 42001.
- A collaborative, curious mindset with strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to move fluidly between analytical and strategic work.
Salary Information
For Switzerland, the base salary range for this position is between 128 000 CHF and 192 000 CHF for a full-time role.
The specific salary offered considers:
- The requirements, scope, complexity and responsibilities of the role
- The applicant's own profile including education/qualifications, expertise, specialisation, skills and experience
In addition to your base salary, Swiss Re offers an attractive performance-based variable compensation component, designed to recognise your achievements. Furthermore, you will enjoy a variety of global and location specific benefits. Eligibility may vary depending on the terms of Swiss Re policies and your employment contract.
Our company has a hybrid work model where the expectation is that you will be in the office at least three days per week.
About Swiss Re
Swiss Re is one of the world’s leading providers of reinsurance, insurance and other forms of insurance-based risk transfer, working to make the world more resilient. We anticipate and manage a wide variety of risks, from natural catastrophes and climate change to cybercrime. Combining experience with creative thinking and cutting-edge expertise, we create new opportunities and solutions for our clients. This is possible thanks to the collaboration of more than 15,000 employees across the world.
Our success depends on our ability to build an inclusive culture encouraging fresh perspectives and innovative thinking. We embrace a workplace where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive and develop professionally regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, skillset, thought or other characteristics. In our inclusive and flexible environment everyone can bring their authentic selves to work and their passion for sustainability.
If you are an experienced professional returning to the workforce after a career break, we encourage you to apply for open positions that match your skills and experience.
We may use AI-powered tools to support the review and evaluation of applications for this position. These tools provide additional insights to our recruitment teams, but all hiring decisions are carefully reviewed and made by people. To learn more about how we use AI in recruitment and how we handle your personal data, please review our Data Privacy Statement before applying.
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