Primary Details

Time Type: Full timeWorker Type: Employee

• Location: Sydney

• Type: 12 month FTC, full time

• Hybrid role, Happy to talk flexible working

• Click here to discover what it's like to be a part of QBE Group

The opportunity

The Head of Critical Event Management & Resilience leads QBE’s enterprise-wide capability to prepare for, respond to and recover from major disruptions, ensuring executive and Board readiness. This role drives strategic leadership across crisis management, physical security, high-risk travel, major event security and enterprise exercising programmes. It strengthens resilience against emerging threats—geopolitical, physical, cyber-physical and environmental—through robust tools, testing, playbooks and organisational readiness. Partnering with senior executives and governance forums, the position delivers a harmonised, strategically aligned crisis management capability for the Group.

About QBE

• At QBE, we get to the heart of what matters for our customers. And we do it all with a human touch.

• We’re an international insurer with more than 13,000 people working across 26 countries – which means we’re big enough for your ambitions, yet small enough for you to make a real impact. It’s an exciting time. We’re building momentum towards our vision to become the most consistent and innovative risk partner.

• What if you could have a positive impact – at work and in the world? As part of the QBE team, you’ll get to spend every day working with people who are passionate, talented and kind.

Your new role

• Own the Group Crisis Management and Strategic Resilience strategy, including executive readiness, physical security, high-risk travel and major event resilience.

• Create and implement a multi-year uplift plan covering exercises, tooling, governance and integration with operational resilience components.

• Set global crisis management policies, playbooks, exercising methodologies and security protocols, ensuring alignment with regulatory obligations.

• Design and deliver high-quality crisis simulations and scenario-based exercises for the Board, Executive and senior leadership.

• Oversee crisis readiness assessments, maintain assurance plans and deliver executive and Board reporting on preparedness and emerging threats.

• Provide strategic leadership during major incidents, ensuring effective coordination, decision-making and post-event governance.

• Monitor global risk trends, lead horizon scanning and embed insights into playbooks, exercising programmes and leadership preparedness.

• Develop a strong crisis and resilience capability across regions, mentoring leaders and fostering a proactive, collaborative culture.

About you

• Extensive experience in crisis management, physical security governance, emergency management, intelligence, or strategic resilience, including leading major incident responses and multi-regional programmes.

• Bachelor’s degree in Security Management, Risk Management, Business, International Relations, or equivalent experience, plus recognised resilience/security certifications (e.g., BCI, DRII, ASIS CPP/PCI/APP) (preferred)

• Proven ability to work with senior executives and Boards in high-stakes environments, influencing decision-making and delivering strategic outcomes.

• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including risk storytelling, scenario framing, and leadership through influence across complex, matrixed organisations.

• Deep knowledge of crisis management, physical security, intelligence and resilience best practice, with strong situational awareness and threat interpretation skills.

Benefits

We offer a range of benefits to help provide holistic support for your work life, whatever your circumstances. As a QBE employee you will have access to and benefit from:

• ‘Hybrid Working’ – a mix of working from home and in the office to enhance your work/life balance

• Free holistic wellbeing coaching, nutritional, confidential counselling, financial and legal advice

• 18 weeks’ gender-equal flexible leave for all new parents, including paid super

To learn more about benefits of working with us, click here.

Awards & Recognition

We value our employee’s experience with us and are proud to have been recognised for the following awards:

• 2025 Winner of Excellence in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award at the Insurance Business Australia Awards for our Respect@QBE program

• 2023 Most Inclusive Workplace at the Australian HR Institute (AHRI) Awards

• Ranked in the top ten in the AAGE Top Graduate Employers 2025 for medium sized program as voted by graduates

To learn more about our achievements, click here.

How to Apply

If you’re looking for a career that combines your expertise and your empathy, click Apply today. Successful applicants will need to complete work rights, police and credit checks through our online provider as a condition of employment.

Your career. At the heart of it.

QBE recognises the value of diverse perspectives and experience. We are committed to an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected for who they are. If we can provide support with access requirements, alternative work arrangements or you would like to connect with one of our networks please contact us at recruitment@qbe.com.

Skills:

Analytical Thinking, Business Continuity, Coaching for success, Critical Thinking, Decision Making, Emergency Planning Response, Influencing, Intentional collaboration, Managing performance, Navigating ambiguity, Organizational Change Management, Process Improvements, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management, Strategic ThinkingApplication Close Date: 18/01/2026 11:59 PM

How to Apply:

To submit your application, click "Apply" and follow the step by step process.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

QBE is an equal opportunity employer and is required to comply with equal employment opportunity legislation in each jurisdiction it operates.