Talent & Succession Lead

Swiss Re seeks a Senior Talent & Succession Lead in Zürich to drive global talent strategy for top performers, reporting to the Group Chief Talent & Culture.

This newly established role sits at the core of Swiss Re’s people strategy, offering high visibility with executive leadership. The position is responsible for evolving the global Talent Management approach, specifically targeting the top 2–5% of the workforce, and reports directly to the Group Chief Talent & Culture.

Responsibilities

• Convert business goals into a forward-looking talent architecture and management framework.
• Collaborate with internal consultants and external partners to execute a unified talent agenda.
• Modernize core talent practices, including processes, governance, and systems, to ensure they remain fit for purpose.
• Create a dedicated pillar for identifying high-potential employees, accelerating their development, and managing succession.
• Utilize HR analytics and data insights to guide talent decisions and evaluate program success.
• Influence and engage senior stakeholders, including C-suite executives and Board members, within a complex international matrix.
• Manage the full lifecycle of global talent programs, from initial concept and executive approval to large-scale implementation.

Requirements

• 15 to 20+ years of experience working within global HR Centres of Excellence.
• Extensive expertise in scaling Talent Management functions.
• Proven history of designing and delivering global talent programs, covering pipeline development, succession, diversity, and executive talent.
• Capability to take concepts from ideation through executive approval to full-scale global implementation.
• Strong analytical skills with hands-on experience in HR analytics and data-driven decision-making.
• Exceptional stakeholder management abilities, with a track record of aligning senior leaders in complex, international environments.

What the company offers

• Base salary between CHF 164,000 and CHF 246,000 for a full-time position.
• Eligibility for a performance-based annual bonus.
• Hybrid work model requiring office presence at least three days per week.

About the company

Swiss Re operates with a vision to make the world more resilient. The company fosters a performance-driven culture where clear expectations lead to accountability. The work environment is designed to be attractive, flexible, and inclusive, adapting strategically to changing needs while focusing on fast, results-oriented decisions. The team embodies the Swiss Re spirit, emphasizing client focus and a strong sense of belonging, while championing applied intellect by linking curiosity and innovation to client needs.

• Vision to make the world more resilient.
• Performance culture with clear expectations and accountability.
• Attractive, flexible, and inclusive work environment.
• Focus on fast, results-oriented decisions.
• Strong client focus and sense of belonging.
• Championing applied intellect and innovation.
• Lean, diverse, and global team leveraging thought leadership.