SVP, Chief Operating Officer Global Finance

RGA · Chesterfield · $323,600–$479,733 (stated in the posting)

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RGA is a purpose-driven organization working to solve today’s challenges through innovation and collaboration. A Fortune 200 Company and listed among its World’s Most Admired Companies, we’re the only global reinsurance company to focus primarily on life- and health-related solutions. Join our multinational team of intelligent, motivated, and collaborative people, and help us make financial protection accessible to all.

The Chief Operating Officer, Global Finance (COO) is the senior operational leader responsible for process, data, technology, AI enablement, operational excellence, systems improvement, and modernization execution for Global Finance. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), this role serves as the operational and execution backbone of Global Finance — establishing and leading the execution infrastructure, PMO discipline, and enablement capabilities needed to support day-to-day operations while delivering Global Finance’s key strategic priorities and long-term modernization initiatives.

This position will lead execution of the Global Finance modernization agenda, with accountability for process excellence, technology and systems implementation, data, analytics and AI capabilities. The COO will be a key partner to the CFO, Global Finance Leadership Team (GFLT), Global Technology, and other enablement functions, ensuring that Global Finance operates as a high-performance, insight-driven organization with the delivery discipline, systems, data, and ways of working required to execute the function’s strategic and operational priorities.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Finance Enablement, PMO & Delivery Governance

Serve as the leader for Finance enablement and delivery governance, accountable for establishing the operating cadence, execution discipline, portfolio oversight, and PMO capabilities required to support day-to-day operations and deliver priority modernization work. Establish and maintain the governance structures, delivery routines, and accountability frameworks that enable consistent execution across Global Finance.

• Define and maintain governance structures, operating cadences, roles, responsibilities, and accountability frameworks that support effective execution across Global Finance.

• Establish and oversee PMO standards, portfolio management practices, executive reporting, risk escalation processes, and delivery performance monitoring.

• Lead resource, capacity, prioritization, and dependency management across the Finance modernization portfolio in partnership with the CFO, Global Finance Leadership Team, and key stakeholders.

• Ensure effective coordination and alignment across Global Finance, Global Technology, and other enterprise functions to support successful execution of Finance priorities.

Finance Strategy Execution &  Modernization Delivery

Lead execution of the Global Finance modernization agenda by translating the CFO’s vision and priorities into disciplined programs, roadmaps, delivery plans, and measurable outcomes. Drive execution of strategic modernization initiatives that improve organizational effectiveness, strengthen functional capabilities, enhance decision support, and enable long-term value creation.

• Partner with the CFO and Enterprise Strategy Office, as applicable, on the Global Finance Strategy Execution Roadmap and own delivery plans, milestones, dependencies, risks, and benefits realization.

• Lead large-scale, cross-functional modernization initiatives that deliver measurable business outcomes aligned to enterprise and functional strategic priorities.

• Build organizational change management capabilities and adoption strategies within Finance that support successful implementation, sustainability, and value realization from modernization investments.

• Leverage benchmarking, performance insights, and leading practices to identify improvement opportunities and inform execution priorities.

Process Optimization & Operational Excellence

Design and implement standardized, scalable finance processes across global operations spanning multiple jurisdictions and regulatory environments. Eliminate inefficiencies, reduce cycle times, and enhance accuracy in financial close, reporting, consolidation, and analysis processes. Establish and embed a culture of continuous improvement within Global Finance. Lead the systematic identification, prioritization, and elimination of process inefficiencies through Lean, Six Sigma, and other operational excellence methodologies, with a relentless focus on quality, speed, and cost efficiency.

• Map and rationalize end-to-end Finance processes to identify automation and simplification opportunities.

• Establish Finance process ownership and governance, maintaining a global process repository and performance standards.

• Define and track Finance efficiency metrics (e.g., cost per transaction, close cycle time, error rates) and drive year-over-year improvement.

• Leverage external benchmarking to set aspirational targets and close performance gaps.​

Technology & Systems Modernization

Drive the digital transformation and modernization of Finance technology infrastructure, replacing legacy systems with scalable, modern platforms and capabilities. Drive the implementation and optimization of modern finance technologies and platforms, including consolidation and close solutions, planning and forecasting tools, regulatory reporting capabilities, data and analytics platforms, intelligent automation, and AI-enabled finance capabilities. Own the Finance enablement roadmap and business requirements for technology, systems, automation, and AI solutions, in partnership with Global Technology and other enterprise stakeholders.

• Own Finance business requirements and delivery governance for technology-enabled Finance initiatives, partnering with Global Technology, Procurement, and vendors.

• Lead ERP and adjacent system implementations, upgrades, and migrations.

• Champion the adoption of AI, machine learning, intelligent automation, and other emerging technologies to enhance Finance productivity, accuracy, and insight generation.

• Govern Finance technology investments through disciplined business case development, vendor selection, and benefits realization tracking.

• Partner with Global Technology, Legal, Risk, and Compliance to ensure Finance systems align with cybersecurity, data privacy, and regulatory expectations.

Data Strategy, Analytics & Finance Intelligence

Lead the development and execution of the Global Finance data strategy, establishing Finance as a more data-enabled, insight-driven function with stronger data quality, reporting, analytics, AI enablement, and decision-support capabilities for Finance leadership and priority stakeholders.

• Define Finance data architecture, including data governance frameworks, master data management standards, and data quality controls.

• Build, modernize and refine Finance-specific data products, dashboards, and reporting capabilities on modern platforms (e.g., Snowflake, Databricks, Power BI, Tableau).

• Drive the shift from backward-looking reporting to forward-looking, scenario-based financial intelligence and decision analytics.

• Establish Finance data literacy programs to upskill the Finance team on data tools, interpretation, and application.

Shared Services & Finance Operating Model Enablement

Design, implement, and continuously optimize the Global Finance operating model, including the strategic deployment of shared services, centers of excellence (CoEs), and global business services (GBS) capabilities. Ensure Finance services are delivered efficiently, consistently, and at scale across all markets.

• Support design and implementation of Finance delivery models, shared services, centers of excellence, and other operating model improvements as part of approved transformation priorities.

• Establish service delivery governance, process ownership, performance standards, and handoff models for Finance enablement capabilities.

• Support sourcing and managed service provider assessments related to Finance process, technology, data, and delivery improvements.

• Define and manage Finance SLAs, OLAs, and customer satisfaction frameworks for internal business unit stakeholders.

Executive Communication, Stakeholder Engagement & Reporting

Serve as a senior leader for the COO organization, communicating Finance transformation, PMO, operational excellence, data, technology, AI, and systems enablement progress with clarity and executive presence. Communicate complex operational and transformation delivery topics with clarity, precision, and executive presence to influence decision-making within the scope of the COO function.

• Prepare and present modernization progress reports, operational scorecards, delivery risks, benefits tracking, and PMO updates to the CFO and other governance forums as appropriate.

• Maintain strong working relationships with the GFLT, Global Technology, HR, Procurement, Risk, Legal, and other enabling functions to support delivery of Finance transformation priorities.

• Promote the COO organization’s value, progress, and delivery discipline across Global Finance.

Education and Experience

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related discipline required.

• MBA, CPA, CFA, or equivalent advanced qualification strongly preferred.

• Actuarial credentials (FSA, ACAS) or insurance-specific finance certifications a plus.

Experience:

• 15+ years of progressive Finance leadership experience, with a minimum of 5 years in a senior executive Finance role (VP, SVP, or C-suite equivalent).

• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale Finance transformation programs in a global, complex, matrixed organization.

• Prior experience in life insurance, reinsurance, or financial services is strongly preferred.

• Proven track record of leading ERP and Finance technology implementations (SAP S/4HANA, Oracle, OneStream, or equivalent) at enterprise scale.

• Experience managing global Finance shared services or GBS models across multiple geographies.

• Working knowledge of Finance controls, regulatory reporting, and risk considerations as they relate to process, systems, data, and transformation delivery.

• Demonstrated experience managing and influencing senior stakeholders and governance forums in complex transformation environments.

• Experience building or leading a PMO, transformation office, or portfolio delivery capability strongly preferred.

Skills and Abilities

Required:

• Execution leadership: ability to translate CFO priorities and Finance transformation objectives into clear roadmaps, delivery plans, governance routines, and measurable outcomes.

• Change leadership: proven ability to lead organizations through significant ambiguity, disruption, and multi-dimensional change.

• Operational acumen: demonstrates strong judgment in connecting process, data, technology, AI, systems, and PMO disciplines to Finance performance and transformation outcomes.

• Executive presence and influence: outstanding communication and relationship-building skills with senior Finance, enterprise technology, and functional stakeholders.

• Digital fluency: deep understanding of modern Finance technology, data platforms, AI/ML applications, and automation tools.

• Cultural intelligence: ability to lead effectively across geographies, cultures, and organizational contexts in a global environment.

• PMO discipline: strong program governance, prioritization, dependency management, benefits realization, issue escalation, and delivery risk management capabilities.

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What you can expect from RGA:

• Gain valuable knowledge from and experience with diverse, caring colleagues around the world.

• Enjoy a respectful, welcoming environment that fosters individuality and encourages pioneering thought.

• Join the bright and creative minds of RGA, and experience vast, endless career potential.

We’re excited to get to know you and connect your unique skills with our global opportunities. To create a modern and seamless experience, we use artificial intelligence (AI) in parts of our preliminary screening process. This technology helps us personalize job recommendations, automate interview scheduling, evaluate candidates based solely on experience—without considering name, gender, or other personal details—and provide real-time answers through our chatbot. AI is used only during early screening and never makes hiring decisions. Your RGA recruiter will work closely with you every step of the way to ensure the process feels personal, thoughtful, and focused on you.

Compensation Range:

Base pay varies depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience and market location. In addition, RGA provides an annual bonus plan that includes all roles and some positions are eligible for participation in our long-term equity incentive plan. RGA also maintains a full range of health, retirement, and other employee benefits.

RGA is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, age, gender identity or expression, sex, disability, veteran status, religion, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable equal employment opportunity laws.

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