Head of Valuations, Director

Head of Valuations, Director

As a Head of Valuations you will lead a team of quantitative analysts responsible for defining and overseeing the valuation and classification methodologies applied to financial instruments, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements. You will also perform valuation of complex and/or illiquid financial instruments, provide quantitative and analytical expertise to address complex valuation topics, and support strategic decision‑making within the Investment Administration & Accounting organization.

• Establish and oversee global valuation frameworks, methodologies, procedures, and associated controls and governance, including Fair Value Measurement Guidance and IFRS
  13 Fair Value Hierarchy Level Allocation Guidance.
• Lead comprehensive pricing processes for various asset types, including illiquid, complex, and model‑driven valuations.
• Enhance the pricing dashboard strategy to ensure transparency in pricing, underlying factors, and inputs.
• Ensure pricing activities are complete, accurate, updated daily, independently reviewed, and fully compliant with internal and external regulations.
• Supervise the global investment valuation function by chairing the IFRS Group Valuation Forum and the Group IM Pricing and Valuation Committee.
• Provide commentary for the ZIGs annual report on fair value determination, pricing sensitivities, level allocation movements.
• Conduct independent analyses of pricing practices, market trends, and vendor selections, reviewing fair value policies and service certifications.
• Serve as the primary service owner and single point of contact for all valuation and pricing matters with stakeholders; oversee the model risk and pricing inventory.
• Manage relationships with external service providers, asset managers, and auditors.
• Act as a subject‑matter expert in financial market expertise and provide quantitative and analytical ad‑hoc analysis to teams on pricing, reference data, and accounting or reporting topics.
• Represent strategic topics to executive team members and risk departments, safeguarding valuation processes while optimizing efficiency, effectiveness, and automation.
• Create a trusted and enabled environment where each team member can work at their best.
• Coach and assess team members, leading high‑performing teams to reach their full potential.
• Work alongside experts in various technological domains.
• Enhance your skills with real‑world experience.
• Contribute to a team that values your input and creativity.

• Master’s degree in Economics, Engineering, Finance, or Mathematics/Statistics related field.
• Additional advanced degrees (FRM, CFA, CAIA) are desirable.
• 8+ years of relevant experience in a similar role within the finance industry.
• Excellent managerial skills, including leadership, storytelling, presenting, and persuading.
• Skilled stakeholder engagement and influencing at the executive level.
• Excellent understanding of financial and capital markets.
• Excellent understanding of mathematical and quantitative models.
• Solid experience in market risk management and valuation of financial instruments.
• In‑depth knowledge of valuation methods of traditional and non‑traditional financial instruments and markets, including structured securities, securitizations of pooled assets, private credit, syndicated loans.
• Intermediate proficiency in data science and programming (Python, SQL) with affinity to modern tools and methods (e.g. GenAI).
• Ability to think conceptually and procedurally, with an analytical and innovative mindset.
• Experience in data management and investment accounting (IFRS
  13) would be a plus.
• High proficiency in written and spoken English (fluent, negotiation level).

• Flexible working model supporting work‑life balance.
• Over 300 € to set up your home office and an additional monthly allowance.
• Wide range of internal and external training, English and Spanish classes as needed.
• Ticket restaurant and health insurance with flexibility to exchange for other benefits.
• Life and accident insurance.
• Collective life retirement plan.
• 2000 € referral bonus for bringing other talented people.
• Special banking and insurance conditions plus exclusive employee discounts.
• Functional diversity benefits.
• Access to social clubs such as hiking, investment, beach volley, and many more.
• Stock options and mortgage benefits.

Via Augusta, Barcelona – ES

Schedule:

Full Time

At Zurich, we are an equal‑opportunity employer. We attract and retain the best‑qualified individuals available, regardless of race/ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability.