Head of Corporate Finance

YOUR WORK ENVIRONMENT

Why AXA? At AXA, we work together every day for human progress by protecting what matters. It's a foundation of our actions, our strategy, and the way we collaborate across the Group. Every day, we contribute to human progress in a way that is practical, responsible, and meaningful, creating a shared sense of direction, commitment, and collective impact that connects people across teams, countries, and roles.

As one of the world's leading insurers in the protection of property, people, and assets, AXA brings together 154,000 employees and contributors across 50 countries, serving over 95 million customers worldwide.

As a responsible corporate citizen, AXA is deeply engaged in social and environmental initiatives and actively promotes an inclusive culture where every voice matters, differences are valued, and everyone is encouraged to grow through our strategy Care and Dare.

About AXA Group Headquarters (GIE AXA) AXA Group Headquarters (GIE AXA) brings together the Group's corporate functions and plays a central role in shaping and driving AXA's global strategy. It supports subsidiaries worldwide by ensuring strategic alignment, governance, operational and technical excellence, consistency of standards, and the sharing of best practices across the organization.

With nearly 1,000 employees representing 45 nationalities, the headquarters embodies AXA's strong international culture and offers a dynamic, collaborative, and intellectually stimulating environment: where global impact meets everyday teamwork.

If these ambitions resonate with you, come and help shape the future of protection with us!

Within the Group, you will join the FINANCE department. Within this Department, you will be part of the Direction Centrale des Finances du Groupe -- DCFG which is covering M&A, cash and capital management, treasury & financing with c. 40 members based primarily in Paris and to a lesser extent in Madrid.

Your Role And Responsibilities

The Head of Group Corporate Finance is responsible for:

• Assessing and managing all M&A transactions in the Group (i.e. acquisitions, divestments, bancassurance partnerships and the like) and more broadly all corporate finance related matters, including:
  • Preparing analyses for the top management and the Board of AXA,
  • Working closely with the management of entities for the execution of M&A deals, and
  • Supporting so-called "Capital Allocation" processes in managing the remittance objectives (i.e. the amount of dividend expected from the operational entities against their earnings) of all AXA Group entities in close conjunction with the Cash and Capital Management team of DCFG (c.€7bn of dividend expected every year which is a key component in order to achieve AXA's distribution policy).

M&A transactions are managed centrally at AXA and may cover deals of all sizes. AXA has a long and well-established track-record of M&A deals with a strong M&A team with some recent landmark transactions in the insurance and asset management sectors such as the disposal of AXA IM to BNPP or the acquisition of PRIMA in Italy. On average around 30 to 40 transactions of various sizes and natures are evaluated every year.

The Head of Corporate Finance leads a team of around 15 members, including four senior Head of Zones overseeing selected entities and associates working for them. This team collaborates closely with our operational entities/units and various departments at Group level, including Controlling, Accounting, Tax, Legal. The Head of Corporate Finance is also a key interlocutor for the top management of AXA.

In addition, he/she is a key contact person for investment bankers and other financial advisors for M&A related matters.

Key Challenges

• Managing a team of junior and senior M&A/corporate finance experts and ensuring they will continue to grow and develop within the organization
• Managing multiple transactions of all sorts with the right sense of urgency and focusing on what matters for management
• Navigating through AXA in order to manage the different stakeholders and their different perspectives, and be the voice of AXA vis-à-vis the outside world for M&A matters
• Anticipating how the evolution of technology and notably AI will reshape Corporate Finance and M&A in the near future on our organization, process and people

YOUR PROFILE

Critical Capabilities

• Robust technical and analytical expertise in insurance operations and holding company activities, supporting sound financial and strategic decision-making.
• Strong affinity with M&A processes and the broader deal environment, including collaboration with investment banks, complemented by a solid understanding of AXA's strategic priorities and business needs.
• Dedicated and results-oriented professional with exceptional negotiation skills, including legal documentation, capable of leading complex projects and effectively communicating intricate issues in a clear, concise manner.
• Excellent synthesis and writing abilities, enabling the production of clear reports, presentations, and executive summaries that distill complex information into understandable insights.
• Proven leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage, motivate, and foster collaboration within teams, especially in dynamic, project-driven environments.

Desired Experience

• Minimum 10 years in corporate finance, M&A, or investment banking, preferably within the insurance or financial services sectors.
• Proven track record of managing complex, high-value M&A transactions (including landmark deals).
• Experience leading and developing diverse teams in a multicultural environment.
• Fluency in French and English is mandatory.
• Familiarity with regulatory and legal frameworks relevant to insurance M&A.

WHY JOIN US

You Will Join

• A responsible company, towards people, including its employees and customers, and towards the planet
• A company with strong values
• A company promoting internal mobility and the training of its employees
• A company offering many benefits (learn more here: AXA Careers)
• A flexible company, allowing hybrid work, in the office and from home.

In line with our commitments, we celebrate each new hire by taking action for global reforestation: we plant a tree for every recruitment. So, are you ready to apply?

AXA Group Headquarters (GIE AXA) is committed to equal employment opportunity and will consider applicants regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity and origins, marital status, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic. At AXA Group Headquarters, we know that an inclusive culture enables business growth and is critical to our success.