Global General Counsel

AXA XL is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Target Locations: USA (New York, Stamford, Hartford) preferred, or UK. Extensive travel required.

AXA XL is a leading global commercial P&C and specialty lines insurer dedicated to delivering innovative insurance solutions and risk prevention services to our clients. As we navigate a rapidly evolving industry landscape, we are seeking a visionary General Counsel (GC) who will lead our legal and compliance departments into the future, leveraging technology and artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

The GC will oversee the legal and compliance functions of the company, ensuring adherence to all applicable laws and regulations while fostering a culture of integrity and ethical behavior. In this role, the GC provide strategic legal counsel to senior management across the AXA XL Division, ensure effective legal and compliance support to enable strategic and business priorities, anticipate emerging legal and compliance issues, and will be responsible for the corporate governance of the AXA XL legal entities.

The GC will have oversight of the Global Chief Compliance Officer of the division who fulfils the Solvency II key function and will be ultimately responsible for all regulatory relationships and ensuring that all compliance obligations are met.

The GC will also be responsible for transforming the legal and compliance departments by integrating technology solutions and AI tools to drive efficiency and fostering an innovative, learning-focused team environment that embraces technology and adapts to changing market conditions.

The GC will oversee a global team of approximately 250 legal and compliance professionals and will report to the Chief Administrative Officer and Global Head of Claims with a dual reporting line to the AXA Group General Counsel for legal matters, joining their respective global leadership teams and responsible for working closely with the AXA Group central functions to ensure consistency and sharing of best practices.

What will your essential responsibilities include?

• Responsible for the day-to-day legal affairs and corporate governance of the AXA XL Division and its legal entities and branches
• Ensure appropriate and proactive legal assessment legal risks and develop practical, commercial solutions in all business and functional areas of AXA XL
• Provide comprehensive legal advice and strategic guidance to senior management and keep the AXA Group General Counsel proactively updated on all key legal issues
• Ensure coordination with compliance teams across the globe on all issues as appropriate
• Manage all external legal counsel relationships, with a focus on efficiency
• Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing team of legal professionals, promoting inclusion, continuous learning and professional growth
• Ensure escalation of all material matters to the Group GC and proactively contribute to the Group Legal Leadership Team
• Work collaboratively with other General Counsels across the AXA Group to ensure consistency and develop talent across the AXA global legal family and build a legal department fit for the future
• Promote and ensure a positive culture of legal, compliance and ethics within AXA XL
• Foster robust relationships with industry associations, industry peers, external legal counsel, and General Counsels in other AXA entities

• Oversight of the Global Chief Compliance Officer whose responsibilities include:
  • Maintain a robust compliance program across all the AXA XL division and its legal entities and branches that aligns with AXA Group requirements and industry best practices, including Financial Crime, Data Privacy
  • Monitor regulatory changes, assess their impact on the company’s operations and ensure prompt adjustments to operational processes and practices
  • Ensure coordination with legal teams across the globe on all issues as appropriate
  • Create and maintain a culture of compliance across the AXA XL division through training programs and awareness initiatives for all colleagues
  • Provide regular updates to the XLB Board regarding compliance matters, information on AXA XL…