Job Description

We're a cross-portfolio capability aligned to the COO strategy, driving productivity and efficiency through a data-driven approach to process execution and improvement across AXA. The Guild defines standards, governs delivery, and builds a scalable capability to elevate performance across products and lines of business in a regulated environment.


As Process Excellence Guild Lead, you'll set the vision and operating model for process excellence, lead interventions that improve cost and process performance, and embed a continuous improvement culture. You'll partner with Tribe Leads and Product Owners to anticipate demand, optimise capability, and ensure consistent, high-quality delivery while maintaining robust governance and compliance.


At AXA we work smart, empowering our people to balance their time between home and the office in a way that works best for them, their team and our customers. You'll work at least two days a week (40%) away from home, moving to three days a week (60%) in the future. Away from home means either attendance at one of our office locations, visiting clients or attending industry events. We're also happy to consider flexible working arrangements, which you can discuss with Talent Acquisition.

What you'll be doing:

Establish the vision for process excellence in AXA UK&I as part of the COO strategy and ensure it's embedded in product operations. Define the modus operandi for Operational Excellence, including approach, tooling, methodologies, intervention planning, and practitioner roles. Redefine and maintain the OpEx dashboard to inform leadership on transformation priorities and digitisation opportunities. Select and establish tooling and data capabilities to enable sustainable, compliant insights for process improvement. Develop the long-term capacity and capability plan for the guild, collaborating with Tribe Leads and Product Owners to anticipate evolving resource needs. Assign Guild members to Products based on skills and priorities, optimise utilisation, and manage incoming resource requests. Track resource allocation, identify conflicts or shortages, and create short- and long-term workforce plans to address capacity gaps. Establish and refine Guild standards and operating practices to ensure consistent, high-quality delivery across Tribes and Products; continuously review metrics and performance.
Due to the number of applications we expect to receive for this role, we reserve the right to close this advert earlier than the listed closing date to ensure we're able to effectively manage interest. Therefore, if you're interested in joining us at AXA, please don't hesitate to apply.


We know that some candidates may be discouraged from applying if they don't meet every requirement. If you're excited by this job and the prospect of working at AXA but you're not sure you tick every box, we'd still encourage you to apply.

What you'll bring:

Extensive experience leading Operational Excellence initiatives in a regulated UK financial services environment. Hands-on experience applying data-driven approaches to process performance, with familiarity in process improvement techniques such as Lean, Six Sigma, DMAIC, and continuous improvement (CI). Advanced knowledge of Business Process Architecture and embedding outputs in BPM environments (e.g., ARIS) and related repositories. Proven ability to manage value streams across underwriting, claims, policy administration, or customer services, including governance and improvement activities. Strong workforce planning, demand management, capacity management, budgeting, and resource forecasting capabilities. Demonstrated leadership in building and developing high-performing teams or guilds, including coaching and performance management. Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with ability to influence at executive levels and across multiple functions. Comfortable working with data, dashboards, and governance; capable of defining standards and ensuring compliant delivery.
As a precondition of employment for this role, you must be eligible and authorised to work in the United Kingdom.

What we offer:

At AXA UK, we're appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. You can expect to receive:


Competitive annual salary dependent on experience Annual company & performance-based bonus Contributory pension scheme (up to 12% employer contributions) Life Assurance (up to 10 x annual salary) Private medical cover 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays Opportunity to buy up to 5 extra days leave or sell up to 5 days leave Wellbeing services & resources AXA employee discounts
To apply, click on the 'apply for this job' button, you'll then need to log in or create a profile to submit your CV. We're proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer and don't discriminate against employees or potential employees based on protected characteristics. If you have a long-term condition or disability and require adjustments during the application or interview process, we're proud to offer access to the AXA Accessibility Concierge. For our support, please send an email to daniel.harrison@axa-uk.co.uk.


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Who we are:

AXA UK Support Functions power AXA's three customer-facing business units, providing the infrastructure, support and expertise to ensure our customers can always count on us. Whether you've got heaps of experience and qualifications behind you, or you're just starting out, we'll give you the support and opportunities to help you grow and develop with confidence.