Head of Projects

We are somewhat different

Hannover Re - more than 3,500 employees at locations all over the world.

Our strength? Connecting Power: We rely on each other.

As a reinsurer, we protect customers in the event of a claim. This requires customised, innovative solutions. Solutions that worked yesterday may be outdated tomorrow. We challenge ourselves and continuously optimise our services, advice and products. All this makes us one of the leading and most profitable reinsurance groups in the world as well as a reliable employer.

We are a major player in the Life & Health reinsurance market in Australia and New Zealand and we have the benefit of being small and nimble but with the financial backing of one of the largest reinsurers in the world.  We currently have an exciting opportunity in our Life & Health subsidiary in Sydney which plays a major part in the success of Hannover Re globally.

We are seeking a Head of Projects & Innovation to join our team. The role will be a permanent position reporting directly to our Chief Operating Officer.

About the role

As a Head of Projects & Innovation you will be responsible for the effective and efficient delivery of fit-for-purpose process optimisation activities and governance in support of operational excellence, innovation for our customer partnerships and the ongoing delivery of the project portfolio in support of the Hannover Life Re of Australasia strategic plan.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee and mature Business Process Architecture and Project Management Office (PMO) disciplines, ensuring best practices in project portfolio management, governance, prioritisation, and alignment with group-wide approaches.

• Embed Dynamic Process Management across the organisation, facilitate networks of Process Owners, and foster continuous process improvements and feedback mechanisms.

• Coach teams and individuals on project and process management methodologies (including waterfall, agile, Lean Six Sigma) to elevate overall organisational capability and maturity.

• Drive identification and implementation of process and project improvements to eliminate waste, reduce risk, and enhance outcomes for teams, customers, and the business.

• Actively manage organisational change, support leaders in effective change implementation, and minimise disruption across Hannover Life Re of Australasia.

• Ensure data quality and governance standards are met for all essential data elements impacted by project or process changes.

• Provide strategic decision-making and prioritisation support to executive committees, including preparation and management of relevant documentation and action tracking.

• Lead, empower, and develop a small team, fostering a positive, collaborative, and respectful culture while managing departmental budgets.

• Champion innovation by developing and implementing innovation strategies, building and managing partnerships, and facilitating the creation of new products, services, and digital solutions aligned with business strategy.

• Report on project and process portfolio progress, KPIs, lessons learned, and innovation initiatives, ensuring effective communication and knowledge sharing across the organisation and with group partners.

About You:

Experience & Qualifications:

• Advanced Project and Change Management Expertise: Significant experience gained over a number of years leading in project management functions (including PMO functions), delivering both technology and non-technology projects via waterfall and Agile methodologies, with expert-level knowledge of project and change management processes, ideally including Lean Six Sigma certification and operational excellence.
• Strategic and Analytical Thinking: Strong capabilities in strategic planning, analytical reasoning, and problem-solving, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities and deadlines while maintaining focus on the broader organisational goals.
• Leadership and People Management: Proven leadership skills to direct, mentor, coach, and empower teams, fostering talent development, and building high-performing, collaborative environments.
• Relationship Building and Stakeholder Engagement: Skilled in people management, executive-level relationship building, facilitation, negotiation, and the ability to effectively liaise with Boards, senior leaders, customers, and vendor partners.
• Organisational, Communication, and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent organisation ability, keen attention to detail, effective prioritisation, and clear, impactful communication (both written and verbal), with strong relationship management skills.
• Technical and Commercial Acumen: Advanced proficiency in Excel and the Microsoft Office suite, budget and profitability management, resource management, and experience working within lean operating models; industry knowledge in (re)insurance is preferred.  Willingness and flexibility to work both strategically and tactically in support of the portfolio's success.

Personal Qualities:

· Strategic

· Resourceful

· Highly self-motivated

· Professional

· Versatile

· Diplomatic

It is a requirement that all applicants have unlimited rights to work in Australia i.e. must either be an Australian citizen or have permanent residency.

What do we offer you:

Are our values "Responsibility", "Drive" and "We-Spirit" aligned with yours?  We foster a culture of respect in our workplace, supporting and encouraging respectful communication and behaviours, acknowledging differences and honouring the people we interact with, taking the time to understand their needs and perspectives.

Atmosphere: You will find an international working environment with short decision channels, an open feedback culture and a sense of community shaped by mutual respect and a readiness to help.

Benefits:  We value every individual and consider our people to be important to the success of our business with each of us working together to contribute to a common success.  Structured onboarding, hybrid working arrangements, EAP as well as modern offers for personal development and wellness activities, we prioritise employee wellbeing and engagement.

Prospects: You contribute your specialist and methodological expertise, and we offer you fresh input and the opportunity to further develop your potential – including room to come up with innovative ideas and act on them

Only together can we achieve our objectives.

Would you like to find out more about Hannover Re Australia? Visit our careers site: https://www.hannover-

We not only offer a job and a title, but if you are looking for an organisation which values its people and is "Somewhat Different", then we want to hear from YOU   All you need to do is hit apply.

No agencies please.