Global General Counsel

Global General Counsel
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.
Legal
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
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
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 compliance program, regulatory developments, and matters specifically requested by the Board and/or the Audit Committee
Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing team of Compliance professionals, promoting inclusion, continuous learning and professional growth
Extensive experience in a legal and/or compliance role, preferably within the insurance industry
Experience working in an international environment with cross-cultural communications skills and a high level of comfort in a variety of cultural settings
Ability to think strategically and provide sound, practical, and commercial advice, coupled with scrupulous adherence to legal and ethical requirements
All round corporate lawyer with knowledge and experience in insurance law (preferred), litigation, contract law, civil law, in various countries, including but not limited to, the US, UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, APAC
Fluent in English
Inclusion
AXA XL is committed to equal employment opportunity and will consider applicants regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity and origins, marital status, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic. It’s about helping one another — and our business — to move forward and succeed.
Five Business Resource Groups focused on gender, LGBTQ+, ethnicity and origins, disability and inclusion with 20 Chapters around the globe.
Robust support for Flexible Working Arrangements
Named to the Diversity Best Practices Index
Signatory to the UK Women in Finance Charter
com/about-us/inclusion-and-diversity. AXA XL’s Reward program is designed to take care of what matters most to you, covering the full picture of your health, wellbeing, lifestyle and financial security. In an ever-changing world, AXA XL protects what matters most for our clients and communities. Our 2023-26 Sustainability strategy, called “Roots of resilience”, focuses on protecting natural ecosystems, addressing climate change, and embedding sustainable practices across our operations.
Resilient ecosystems – the foundation of a sustainable planet and society – are essential to our future. Unpredictable weather, increasing temperatures, and rising sea levels cause both social inequalities and environmental disruption. Were building a net zero strategy, developing insurance products and services, and mobilizing to advance thought leadership and investment in societal-led solutions.
Integrating ESG: All companies have a role to play in building a more resilient future. We’re training our colleagues, engaging our external partners, and evolving our sustainability governance and reporting.
AXA Hearts in Action: We have established volunteering and charitable giving programs to help colleagues support causes that matter most to them, known as AXA XL’s “Hearts in Action” programs. The salary range noted above is applicable only for US applicants. We strive for market alignment and internal equity with our colleagues’ pay.
At AXA XL, we know how important physical, mental, and financial health are to our employees, which is why we are proud to offer benefits such as a competitive retirement savings plan, health and wellness programs, and many other benefits. AXA XL, the P&C and specialty risk division of AXA, is known for solving complex risks. For mid-sized companies, multinationals and even some inspirational individuals we don’t just provide re/insurance, we reinvent it.
By combining a comprehensive and efficient capital platform, data-driven insights, leading technology, and the best talent in an agile and inclusive workspace, empowered to deliver top client service across all our lines of business – property, casualty, professional, financial lines and specialty.
With an innovative and flexible approach to risk solutions, we partner with those who move the world forward.