Application Manager - Lead Business Analyst

Talent500 is hiring for one of its clients.

Who are we:

Core Insurance Platforms (CIP) is Zurich's global capability responsible for building, running, and evolving core insurance technology. We set a unified, scalable operating model—covering governance, standards, architecture, service delivery, and reuse—so our business units can deliver at speed and scale.

CIP is the strategic steward of Zurich's Guidewire ecosystem, aligning platform roadmaps to business strategy while driving stability, modernization, reduced supplier dependency, and long-term cost efficiency.

India delivery center is one of our global delivery and capability hub. We bring together experts in AI, engineering, analysis, quality, and architecture to deliver product & process solutions, application run services, change and transformation initiatives, and centralized platform services across both on prem and Guidewire Cloud environments. Our teams operate from multiple global delivery centers, supporting Zurich's business units worldwide.

Role Purpose:

The Lead Business Analyst / Application Manager is accountable for the end-to-end functional ownership, stability, and evolution of ACE and acts as a people and delivery leader for the ACE BA capability, including leadership of staff based in India.

This role combines senior business analysis, application management, governance ownership, and team leadership to ensure ACE delivers sustained value, regulatory confidence, and operational resilience at scale.

Key Responsibilities:

Application Ownership & Strategy:

• Act as functional owner of ACE, accountable for business behavior, functional quality, and change integrity.
• Shape the functional roadmap in partnership with Product Owner and IT leadership.
• Balance BAU stability, regulatory commitments, and strategic enhancements.

Senior Business Analysis & Governance:

• Oversee and approve complex requirements, CRs, and scope decisions.
• Chair or strongly influence UAT strategy, acceptance standards, and release readiness.
• Represent functional and business impact in ACE Steering / Decision Committees.

People Leadership (India & Global):

• Lead, coach, and develop ACE Business Analysts, including direct or matrix management of staff in India.

Set standards for:

• Requirements quality
• UAT execution
• Documentation and audit readiness
• Support hiring, onboarding, and capability development of BA resources.

Stakeholder & Executive Engagement:

• Serve as the primary senior functional interface to Business Units, Group Actuarial, and IT leadership.
• Handle escalations related to scope, quality, or delivery risk.
• Clearly articulate tradeoffs, impacts, and recommendations at senior level.

Operational Excellence & Risk Management:

• Ensure ACE changes are auditable, traceable, and compliant with regulatory expectations.
• Drive continuous improvements in testing, controls, and functional processes.
• Own functional readiness for audits, major releases, and business incidents.

AI First & Automation Mindset:

• Champion AI assisted analysis, testing optimization, and documentation generation within the BA function.
• Ensure AI is used responsibly, improving productivity without compromising quality or judgement.

Skills & Experience:

• 10+ years experience in Business Analysis and/or Application Management.
• Proven leadership of distributed teams (including offshore / India delivery).
• Deep experience in regulated, finance, or actuarial platforms.
• Strong governance instinct with business first decision making.
• Confidence operating at senior stakeholder and executive level.

Education:

• Degree in Business, Finance, Actuarial Science, IT, or equivalent senior experience