Strategy & Planning Lead, Operations Excellence

Summary: The Strategy & Planning Lead for Operations Excellence in the insurance sector will be responsible for shaping the operating model and implementing service models that enhance efficiency and customer experience. This role requires collaboration with senior stakeholders to drive strategic initiatives and continuous improvement across operations. The position is a 6-month contract based in London, requiring hybrid working arrangements. The role is classified as inside IR35.

Key Responsibilities:

• Partner with the Head of Operations Excellence to shape the operating model, roadmap, capabilities, and value proposition for the Operations Excellence function.
• Design and implement operating and service models that enable efficient, scalable operations with a strong focus on quality, automation, and customer experience.
• Develop strategic materials and playbooks to articulate the value of Operations Excellence initiatives and secure stakeholder alignment and buy-in.
• Apply structured planning, analysis, and problem-solving skills to address complex business challenges.
• Monitor internal and external industry developments and translate insights into practical, organization-focused recommendations.
• Support process optimization, standardization, and automation initiatives across operations.
• Champion continuous improvement and data-driven methodologies (eg, Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen) to improve efficiency and service outcomes.
• Identify operational risks, gaps, and dependencies, recommending solutions to strengthen resilience and compliance.
• Establish and monitor KPIs, KRIs, and performance dashboards, converting insights into measurable actions.
• Lead periodic business reviews, highlighting progress, challenges, risks, and corrective actions.
• Support the delivery of initiatives that generate measurable business value across financial performance, operational efficiency, and customer experience.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders on strategic, operational, and transformation initiatives.

Key Skills:

• Significant experience in strategic planning, operating model design, consulting, or business transformation environments.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders and diverse teams.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong cross-functional relationships.
• Demonstrated experience solving complex business problems using structured, analytical, and consultative approaches.
• Experience owning and managing initiatives end-to-end, from concept and planning through to delivery and outcomes.
• Insurance/Financial sector experience.

Salary (Rate): undetermined

City: London

Country: UK

Working Arrangements: hybrid

IR35 Status: inside IR35

Seniority Level: undetermined

Industry: Other

Detailed Description From Employer:

Strategy & Planning Lead, Operations Excellence- Insurance

We are currently recruiting for a Strategy & Planning Lead to join one of our Insurance clients on a 6-month contract.

Inside IR35

Hybrid- 2 days a week onsite in London

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Head of Operations Excellence to shape the operating model, roadmap, capabilities, and value proposition for the Operations Excellence function.
• Design and implement operating and service models that enable efficient, scalable operations with a strong focus on quality, automation, and customer experience.
• Develop strategic materials and playbooks to articulate the value of Operations Excellence initiatives and secure stakeholder alignment and buy
• Apply structured planning, analysis, and problem-solving skills to address complex business challenges
• Monitor internal and external industry developments and translate insights into practical, organization-focused recommendations.
• Support process optimization, standardization, and automation initiatives across operations.
• Champion continuous improvement and data-driven methodologies (eg, Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen) to improve efficiency and service outcomes.
• Identify operational risks, gaps, and dependencies, recommending solutions to strengthen resilience and compliance.
• Establish and monitor KPIs, KRIs, and performance dashboards, converting insights into measurable actions.
• Lead periodic business reviews, highlighting progress, challenges, risks, and corrective actions.
• Support the delivery of initiatives that generate measurable business value across financial performance, operational efficiency, and customer experience.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders on strategic, operational, and transformation initiatives.

Experience

• Significant experience in strategic planning, operating model design, consulting, or business transformation environments.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders and diverse teams.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong cross-functional relationships.
• Demonstrated experience solving complex business problems using structured, analytical, and consultative approaches.
• Experience owning and managing initiatives end-to-end, from concept and planning through to delivery and outcomes.
• Insurance/Financial sector experience

Guidant, Carbon60, Lorien & SRG - The Impellam Group Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.