Head of Insurance Risk

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Insurance Risk to join our Group Team at our Paddington headquarters. Our team works collaboratively with corporate functions, divisional leaders, and the wider business on a day-to-day basis to protect the financial integrity of the Group. Our team is fuelled by curious minds from diverse backgrounds, and this is an incredible time to join us at DS Smith.

This role will focus on leading the global development, negotiation, and implementation of our insurance programmes, data systems, and loss prevention initiatives. You will be communicating with the business and acting as the primary point of contact for our insurable risk profile, M&A risk assessments, and high-value claims management. This role will partner with senior internal teams on commercial projects and initiatives, offering a fantastic opportunity to build relationships across a global footprint, working closely with executive officers, functional directors, and strategic global insurance providers.

A successful candidate must be a proven self-starter and commercial leader, who is comfortable with pro-actively communicating directly, working collaboratively, and liaising at all levels.

​Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• ​Programme Management: Develop and execute the group’s global insurance portfolio (Property, Liability, Cyber, Marine, and Credit), securing optimal coverage and pricing through scale
• ​Risk Strategy & Retention: Define and manage risk transfer vs. retention strategies, including the optimisation of deductibles, SIRs, and the financial governance of captive insurers
• ​Loss Prevention & Data Analytics: Lead the development of our Loss Prevention Information Systems, risk information collection and collation processes, establishing data standards and leveraging analytics to identify emerging risk trends
• ​Claims Optimisation: Oversee all claims management and coordination to ensure efficient handling and timely recoveries, including legacy disease-related claims
• ​Commercial Partnering: Assess the insurance implications of M&A, disposals, and new ventures, while supporting commercial contract reviews to validate insurance requirements
• ​Market Relationship Management: Build and manage strategic relationships with global brokers, insurers, and loss adjusters to enhance operational delivery and strengthen placement negotiations​

So, if you are an experienced professional within the Risk Management space, looking for a new challenge in a business which prioritises creativity and encourages you to make a difference - then we might be looking for you!

About you

• Professionally qualified (ACII or FCII) or equivalent
• Demonstrable progressive risk management experience within a multinational corporate, global broker or major insurer
• Extensive knowledge of international insurance markets, captive structures, and industrial manufacturing risk profiles
• Strong financial acumen with a proven track record of optimising broker engagement and leading complex placements
• Proven ability to translate complex risk matters into business outcomes and influence cross-functional stakeholders

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Discretionary bonus
• Car allowance
• Private healthcare
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Pension scheme, life assurance and income protection
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee Discounts
• Cycle to work scheme

Location: This is a hybrid role, split between the London Paddington office (3 days) and home (2 days) – however flexibility will be required at times including business travel across EMEA.

About us

We are DS Smith, together with International Paper, we are a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions and other fibre-based products. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. We employ more than 65,000 colleagues in North America and Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), who are experts in innovation, manufacturing, design, sales, sustainability, supply chain, and much more. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Become part of a world-leading organisation and do your best work with us!

Fair recruitment at DS Smith

To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.

Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas, and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.

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