Director of Insurance and Claims

Welcome to First Bus. First Bus is one of the country's largest bus operators – taking 1.6 million customers to their destinations every day. We're a forward-looking business at the forefront of bus technology, leading the way on contactless payments, mobile Apps and real time information. Our investment in state-of-the-art, new buses is just one part of our transition to a low-carbon future.

It's an exciting time to be here.

In this role you will provide strategic leadership and expert oversight of the Group's insurance, risk facing and claims operations ensuring that First Group is appropriately protected, financially optimised and operationally supported across Bus and Rail Divisions.

This position plays a critical role in protecting the Group's assets, reducing liabilities, shaping external relationships and strengthening long term commercial and operational resilience. You will also drive best practice claims performance and ensure all insurance and claims programmes (past and present) are effectively controlled, compliant and aligned to our long term strategic, commercial and operational needs.

This role is offered on a hybrid position and we are looking for an individual who can commit to weekly travel to our Reading office to spend time with the Claims and wider Insurance team.

• Develop a deep understanding of First Bus and First Rail insurance requirements, maintaining strong working relationships across both division.
• Design and execute effective insurance programmes balancing risk retention, risk transfer, coverage strength and cost efficiency.
• Manage broker and insurance relationships and represent First Group positively in the insurance market; source and develop new insurer partnerships where appropriate.
• Lead insurance components of bids, acquisitions and disposals, identifying commercial opportunities and ensuring franchise/bid documentation aligns with Group insurance structures.
• Drive best practice claims management, technical excellence, efficiency improvements and high independent audit scores.
• Drive business value through improved claims investigations, claims handling and outcomes.
• Hands on management or closely oversee high value or high profile claims.
• Provide expert financial guidance to Divisions on insurance, self-insurance, retained losses and overall risk financing arrangements.
• Manage financial and management reporting across the Group Insurance function, including actuarial projections, collateral levels and statutory reporting for legacy entities.

• Expert technical knowledge of insurance and claims, particularly within General Insurance and large corporate risk environments.
• Experience managing complex insurance programmes and legacy liabilities.
• Background in corporate risk management, insurance broking or large scale underwriting.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen, with demonstrable capability in interpreting actuarial, RMIS and risk finance data.
• Familiarity with alternative risk transfer methods and a strong understanding of regulatory frameworks, insurance and personal injury.
• Expertise in contract negotiation with insurance firms, brokers and service partners.
• Proven ability to build high trust relationships and influence at Executive and Divisional level in a large complex organisation.
• Strong leadership background with experience in leading and coaching teams across technical and operational functions.
• Someone who champions strong team engagement, inclusion and wellbeing, sets clear expectations, accountabilities and a continuous learning mindset.
• A passion to create a collaborative culture and the want to drive shared goals and ‘joined-up' decision making across functions.
• Promote customer focus by ensuring insurance and claims practices support excellent service, operational reliability and positive customer outcomes.
• Encourage innovation and continuous improvement empowering teams to challenge existing practices, adopt better ways of working and drive technical excellence.

• Competitive salary and bonus structure
• Your health is important to us which is why we offer Simply Health & Smart Health for you and your dependents at no cost to you! This offering includes cash back benefits across optical & dental as well as virtual GP appointments, mental health support and nutrition and fitness advise. Our EAP provision offers 24hr, 365 days a year mental healthsupport
• We are also committed to your financial wellbeing, and we offer a platform with many discounts on high street brands and supermarkets etc.
• Working at First you also receive discounted train travel for you and your family after 6 months service as well as a free bus pass
• Cycle to work scheme
• 25 days' holiday + bank holidays
• Pension scheme and chance to buy discounted First Group shares
• Flexible working

We put a big focus on physical and mental wellbeing at First Bus. We recognise that anyone can be affected by the stresses and strain of work, or life outside it. You'll find a range of…