Lead Anaplan Financial Planning and Analysis Solution Architect 80-100%

Zurich Insurance Group seeks a Lead Anaplan Financial Planning and Analysis Solution Architect in Zürich to design robust Polaris solutions and drive AI-first innovation in FP&A.

This position is responsible for leading the end-to-end design of ANAPLAN (Polaris) solutions at both Group and Business Unit levels. The role focuses on converting business needs into strong architectural frameworks that align with strategic goals and industry best practices, while championing an AI-first approach to accelerate development.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the complete design of ANAPLAN (Polaris) solutions across Group and Business Unit levels.
• Convert business requirements into robust architectural solutions that align with strategic objectives and best practices.
• Manage system integration and technical governance to ensure seamless data flows between ANAPLAN and platforms like Databricks.
• Utilize JIRA/ServiceNow and product version control to manage delivery processes.
• Promote an AI-first strategy by leveraging AI capabilities to speed up development and minimize manual tasks.
• Identify opportunities for optimization and establish measurable goals for AI adoption within the service.
• Collaborate with business leaders, developers, data architects, and IT teams to ensure alignment.
• Ensure all solutions satisfy both functional and non-functional requirements.
• Translate complex architecture decisions into clear and accessible communication for various stakeholders.
• Define solution principles and establish architecture standards to drive innovation.
• Maintain compliance with Zurich’s security and quality standards.
• Monitor ANAPLAN and SaaS trends to continuously generate business value within the FP&A ecosystem.

Requirements

• Extensive expertise in ANAPLAN.
• More than 10 years of experience in Financial Planning.
• Official Solution Architect certification, preferably in Polaris.
• At least 5 years of proven delivery experience in FP&A processes and solution architecture.
• Strong skills in system integration and architecture.
• Practical experience with enterprise frameworks such as TOGAF and Zachman.
• Hands-on experience with Databricks and Data Lake concepts.
• Knowledge of SaaS security and compliance principles.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Capability to translate complex technical solutions for diverse audiences.
• Ability to lead cross-functional collaboration.
• Proficiency in delivering clear documentation and presentations in fluent English.

Nice to have

• Desirable skills in Cloud technologies, specifically AWS.
• Desirable skills in Databricks.
• Desirable skills in Advanced Excel.
• Desirable skills in Python.
• Desirable skills in Data Science.
• Strong analytical thinking capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure.

About the company

Zurich Insurance Group is a leading multi-line insurer serving over 82 million customers in more than 200 countries and territories, with a workforce of over 65,000 employees. For more than 150 years, the company has been transforming insurance by offering protection and prevention services that promote well-being and climate resilience. Guided by its purpose to create a brighter future together, Zurich aims to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world.

• Serving over 82 million customers globally across more than 200 countries and territories.
• Employing over 65,000 people worldwide.
• Over 150 years of experience in transforming insurance through protection and prevention services.
• Guided by the purpose to create a brighter future together.
• Committed to being one of the most responsible and impactful businesses globally.