Harald Grayer - Head of Finance, Group HR function, Board Division

Q: Where is Harald based?

Harald is based in Munich, Germany .

Q: What languages does Harald speak?

Harald speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Portuguese (Advanced) .

Q: How many years of experience does Harald have?

Harald has at least 28 years of experience. During this time, Harald has worked in at least 9 different roles and for 8 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 3 years and 1 month . Note that Harald may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Harald's latest experience?

Harald's most recent position is Head of Finance, Group HR function, Board Division at Allianz SE .

Q: What companies has Harald worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Harald has worked for Allianz SE .

Q: Which industries is Harald most experienced in?

Harald is most experienced in industries like Insurance , Banking and Finance , and Automotive . Harald also has some experience in Retail .

Q: Which business areas is Harald most experienced in?

Harald is most experienced in business areas like Finance , Accounting , and Audit . Harald also has some experience in Human Resources , Project Management , and Strategy .

Q: Which industries has Harald worked in recently?

Harald has recently worked in industries like Insurance .

Q: Which business areas has Harald worked in recently?

Harald has recently worked in business areas like Finance , Human Resources , and Project Management .

Recommended expert

Munich, Germany

Check rate

Experience

May 2017 - Sep 2024

7 years 5 months

Munich, Germany

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

Aug 2012 - Jul 2017

5 years

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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

Jan 2002 - Jul 2012

10 years 7 months

Munich, Germany

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

Apr 2001 - Dec 2001

9 months

Munich, Germany

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

Mar 1999 - Mar 2001

2 years 1 month

Munich, Germany

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

Mar 1998 - Oct 1998

8 months

Curitiba, Brazil

Intern, Product Management and Program Readiness Team

Audi-Volkswagen do Brazil

Dec 1996 - Feb 1998

1 year 3 months

Munich, Germany

Intern and Working Student, Accounting and Controlling Division

BMW Bank GmbH

Mar 1996 - Apr 1996

2 months

Ingolstadt, Germany

Intern, HR Organizational Development

Audi AG

Sep 1993 - Oct 1993

2 months

Ingolstadt, Germany

Intern, Accounts Receivable and Credit Control

Media-Markt and Saturn GmbH

Industry Experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.

Experienced in Insurance, Banking and Finance, and Automotive.

Insurance

Banking and Finance

Automotive

Business Area Experience

See which departments and functions this freelancer has contributed to most.

Experienced in Finance, Accounting, Audit, Human Resources, Project Management, and Strategy.

Finance

Accounting

Audit

Human Resources

Project Management

Strategy

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

German

Native

English

Advanced

Portuguese

Advanced

Education

Oct 1993 - Jul 1998

Ludwig-Maximilian-Universität München

Master of Business Administration · Business Administration · Munich, Germany

Sep 1984 - Jul 1993

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

Statistics

Experience

Total positions 9

Experience in Insurance 24.5 y

Avg length 3 y

Longest experience 10 y 6 m

Global Experience

Countries worked in 2 (Germany, Brazil)

Primary country Germany

Expertise

Recent roles Head of Finance, Group HR function, Board Division, CFO - South America Region, Head of Financial Reporting, Group Consolidated Financial Statements

Main industries Insurance, Banking and Finance, Automotive

Main business areas Finance, Accounting, Audit

Qualifications

Highest degree Master

Certifications earned 4

Profile

Created

November 2025

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Frequently asked questions

Have questions? Find more information here.

Harald is based in Munich, Germany.

Harald speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Portuguese (Advanced).

Harald has at least 28 years of experience. During this time, Harald has worked in at least 9 different roles and for 8 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 3 years and 1 month. Note that Harald may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Based on recent experience, Harald would be well-suited for roles such as: Head of Finance, Group HR function, Board Division, CFO - South America Region, Head of Financial Reporting, Group Consolidated Financial Statements.

Harald's most recent position is Head of Finance, Group HR function, Board Division at Allianz SE.

In recent years, Harald has worked for Allianz SE.

Harald is most experienced in industries like Insurance, Banking and Finance, and Automotive. Harald also has some experience in Retail.

Harald is most experienced in business areas like Finance, Accounting, and Audit. Harald also has some experience in Human Resources, Project Management, and Strategy.

Harald has recently worked in industries like Insurance.

Harald has recently worked in business areas like Finance, Human Resources, and Project Management.

Harald holds a Master in Business Administration from Ludwig-Maximilian-Universität München.

Harald has 4 certificates. Among them, these include: IESE – AI For Executives, Allianz Leadership Passport, and Allianz Senior Executive Development Center.

Harald is immediately available for suitable projects.

Harald's rate depends on the specific project requirements. Please use the Meet button on the profile to schedule a meeting and discuss the details.

To hire Harald, click the Meet button on the profile to request a meeting and discuss your project needs.