Chief Operations Officer

A leading insurance company in Kenya is seeking a highly experienced and strategic Chief Operations Officer (COO) to join its senior leadership team. This is a pivotal executive role responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operational functions of the business, including underwriting, claims processing, and legal compliance. The COO will serve as a key driver of operational excellence, ensuring the company delivers superior service while maintaining regulatory compliance and financial discipline.

Reporting directly to the CEO, the successful candidate will co-lead the long-term strategic direction of the company, champion process innovation, and inspire cross-functional teams to perform at their highest potential. This is an opportunity for a seasoned insurance operations leader to make a transformative impact at a growing, client-focused insurer.

• Develop and implement operational strategies aligned with the company's overall business objectives, covering underwriting, claims, and legal compliance.
• Collaborate with the CEO and senior leadership to formulate and execute long-term business strategies and growth plans.
• Provide regular, data-driven performance reports and strategic updates to the CEO and board of directors.
• Lead, mentor, and manage teams across underwriting, claims, and legal departments, ensuring high levels of motivation, capability, and productivity.
• Define, track, and analyse key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure operational effectiveness and identify improvement opportunities.
• Ensure all operations comply with relevant insurance laws, regulations, and internal policies; proactively manage underwriting and claims risk.
• Identify operational risks and implement robust mitigation strategies in collaboration with the CEO and management team.
• Drive continuous process improvement through the adoption of new technologies, best practices, and streamlined workflows.
• Act as the primary liaison between the operations department and senior management, communicating challenges, progress, and strategic initiatives.
• Partner with the finance team to develop and manage operational budgets, ensuring optimal resource allocation and cost efficiency.
• Monitor operational costs and implement savings initiatives without compromising service quality or regulatory standards.
• Champion client satisfaction by maintaining high service delivery standards and resolving operational challenges affecting policyholders promptly.
• Develop and manage post-sale support processes to ensure responsive handling of client needs and concerns.
• Regularly evaluate service delivery performance and implement evidence-based improvements.

• Must demonstrate at least 8 years of progressive operations leadership within the insurance sector, with a minimum of 3 years in a senior or executive management role.
• Must be able to translate corporate strategy into executable operational plans with measurable outcomes.
• Must have hands-on experience managing underwriting, claims, and compliance functions concurrently within an insurance environment.
• Must be capable of leading and developing large, cross-functional teams, fostering accountability and high performance.
• Must demonstrate proficiency in financial oversight, including budgeting, cost management, and financial performance monitoring.
• Must be able to apply risk management frameworks to identify, assess, and mitigate operational and regulatory risks.
• Must possess strong stakeholder management skills, including board-level communication and executive reporting.
• Must be able to drive technology adoption and process automation to improve operational efficiency.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of Kenyan insurance regulations and IRA compliance requirements.
• Should hold an MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification; a Bachelor's degree in Business, Insurance, Finance, or a related field is the minimum requirement.

The salary for this role is competitive and commensurate with executive-level compensation in the Kenyan insurance sector, estimated at KES 400,000 – 700,000 per month depending on experience and qualifications. The company offers a performance-linked remuneration structure befitting a C-suite appointment. Specific benefits will be disclosed during the interview process.

Ideal candidate: A seasoned insurance professional with 8–17 years of experience, deep knowledge of insurance operations, and a proven track record of leading high-performing teams. You are a strategic thinker who is equally comfortable in boardroom conversations and operational deep-dives. You bring credibility, calm decisiveness, and a client-first mindset to everything you do.

Do not apply if: You have fewer than 8 years of experience in insurance operations, have never managed multi-departmental teams, or lack a strong grounding in claims, underwriting, or insurance compliance. This role is not suitable for candidates transitioning from unrelated industries without demonstrable insurance sector exposure.

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their application through the ProRecruit Versaatech recruitment portal or via the job platform where this posting is listed. Include an updated CV and a brief cover letter outlining your suitability for the role. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Do not pay any fee at any stage of the recruitment process — this is a legitimate recruitment exercise.