Harald Grayer
Head of Finance, Group HR function, Board Division
Experience
Head of Finance, Group HR function, Board Division
Allianz SE
Reported to Holding Board Member, CHRO and Head of Transformation
Led a global matrix team of 5+
Assumed finance leadership for a €135M HR transformation program affecting 140,000+ employees
Built a global HR operating model and HR finance function
Managed and advised key stakeholders on global cost planning, cost allocation, transfer pricing, tax strategy, and transformation impact
Managed FP&A for a €100M board-division budget, including Compliance, M&A, Privacy, Legal and HR
Led the IT transfer of 113 HR staff during Corona lockdown, ensuring business continuity during transition
Contributed to an organizational streamlining project, implementing consistent management layers and spans of control for increased operational efficiency
CFO - South America Region
Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty Resseguros Brazil
- Reported to Global CFO and Local CEO
- Led a global matrix team of 10+
- Executed a strategic growth initiative to establish AGCS’s presence in South America by obtaining a license and setting up a local reinsurance company in Brazil
- Positioned Brazil as a regional hub for South America
- Established AGCS Re Brazil, achieving profitability within three years with revenues over BRL 500 million
- Implemented a fully-fledged local finance function, including IFRS and statutory accounting & reporting, FP&A, treasury and cash management, reinsurance, risk management, actuarial and tax
- Built strong partnerships with regulators, rating agencies, auditors, banks and the Brazilian Reinsurance Association
- Managed licensing and regulatory processes to position Brazil as an operational hub for South America
Head of Financial Reporting, Group Consolidated Financial Statements
Allianz SE
Reported to Head of Group Accounting
Led 4 direct reports and 30+ indirect reports
Directed the preparation and end-to-end reporting process for the IFRS consolidated financial statements and explanatory notes in the Allianz Group’s annual and quarterly financial statements
Ensured accurate and timely delivery of financial statements to key stakeholders, including the Disclosure Committee, Supervisory Board, auditors and Board of Management
Collaborated closely with external auditors to guarantee IFRS-compliant disclosures and financial audits
Enhanced financial reporting tools to meet evolving IFRS disclosure requirements
Implemented three IT solutions for financial reporting, achieving €800K annual savings and earning the Allianz I2S Innovation Award
Trained global teams in IFRS accounting and financial reporting, earning recognition as Trainer of the Year
Junior Buy-Side Analyst, Equity Research
Allianz PIMCO Asset Management GmbH
- Reported to Global Head of Equity Research
- Developed comprehensive investment recommendations to portfolio managers based on buy-side research
- Conducted in-depth financial analysis and valuation of European semiconductor companies
Accountant, Group Accounting
Allianz Versicherungs-AG
Reported to Head of Group Accounting
Managed all IFRS group accounting matters for operating entities in Australia, Greece, South Africa, and Allianz Lebensversicherungs-AG in Germany
Oversaw the equity consolidation and intra-company gains and losses elimination processes
Contributed to the successful listing of Allianz SE on the New York Stock Exchange in 2000
Intern, Product Management and Program Readiness Team
Audi-Volkswagen do Brazil
Intern and Working Student, Accounting and Controlling Division
BMW Bank GmbH
Intern, HR Organizational Development
Audi AG
Intern, Accounts Receivable and Credit Control
Media-Markt and Saturn GmbH
Industries Experience
See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time. Longer bars indicate deeper hands-on experience, while shorter ones reflect targeted or project-based work.
Experienced in Insurance (24.5 years), Banking and Finance (2 years), and Automotive (0.5 years).
Business Areas Experience
The graph below provides a cumulative view of the freelancer's experience across multiple business areas, calculated from completed and active engagements. It highlights the areas where the freelancer has most frequently contributed to planning, execution, and delivery of business outcomes.
Experienced in Finance (27 years), Accounting (19 years), Audit (10.5 years), Human Resources (7.5 years), Project Management (7.5 years), and Strategy (5 years).
Summary
Strategic CFO and finance executive with 25 years of leadership across multiple corporate environments within Allianz — including group headquarters, operating entities, and global transformation projects. Recognized for leading cross-functional teams, establishing businesses, steering major transformation initiatives, and driving measurable financial and operational value in complex, multinational settings.
Successful financial career spanning diverse organizational cultures, mandates, and leadership roles — from leading the group’s external IFRS financial reporting, to launching a local reinsurance entity in Brazil, to driving a global HR transformation project — all reflecting the demands of high-change environments: resource discipline, performance accountability, stakeholder influence, and value creation under time constraints.
Skills
- Strategic Finance Leadership – Expertise In Driving Financial Strategy, Change Projects And Business Transformation For Global Organizations.
- Transformation & Efficiency – €135m Global Hr Transformation; €2m Annual Tax Savings Through Efficient Cost Charging; €800k Cost Savings Via Automation
- Technical Expertise – Extensive Experience As Operational And Functional Cfo
- Cross-functional Expertise – Led In Both Finance And Hr Functions Across Global Teams
- Entrepreneurial Execution – Launched Agcs Re Brazil; Expanded To Regional Hub, Built & Led Full Finance Function
- Regulatory & Stakeholder Management – Trusted By Ceos, Boards, Rating Agencies, And Regulators
- C-level Partnership – Advised Senior Executives And Board Of Management Across Multiple Disciplines
- Geographic & Functional Versatility – Group Hq (Munich) – Operating Entity (Brazil) – Global Project (Munich)
Languages
Education
Ludwig-Maximilian-Universität München
Master of Business Administration · Business Administration · Munich, Germany
Apian Gymnasium Ingolstadt
High School · Ingolstadt, Germany
Certifications & licenses
IESE – AI For Executives
Allianz Leadership Passport
Allianz Senior Executive Development Center
Transformation Strategy And Capabilities
Profile
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