AVP, Solutions Delivery, Retail - Front End

Job Summary

This position plays a key role in the organization by managing business application solution delivery for the front office retail department in support of F&G’s strategic goals and objectives.  A sizable component of the position is leading technology services across Retail's BU, focused on development of platforms and applications across Distribution and Agent OB-AEO (i.e., DTCC). Lead multiple projects in the solution delivery group and provide thought leadership.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for the maintenance, support, scalability, and performance of Retail Markets Distribution and Agent OB-AEO applications
• Own the escalation for all technology issues related to the delivery of Retail Markets Distribution and Agent OB-AEO solutions
• Manage day-to-day relationships with Retail vendors and other strategic vendor relationships for Distribution and Agent OB-AEO
• Responsible for the Retail Front End Technical Architecture and the building of the technical automation of the capability models for the BU
• Engage with Retail BU to understand Distribution and Agent OB-AEO needs and translate them into technology initiatives and solutions
• Partner with Chief of Staff, Architecture, and Engineering to ensure Retail Distribution and Agent OB-AEO technology initiatives align with enterprise strategy
• Lead internal and external development teams (i.e., Team Lead, PM, Business Analyst, Application Dev, Application Support (maint) to deliver services
• Oversee solutions delivery efforts, including estimating design, development, and support needs, providing input to capability planning, and ensuring solutions adhere to quality assurance standards
• Gain understanding of industry trends, tools, and practices, communicates to leadership for direction
• Manage vendor relationships to ensure contract terms, SLA and performance agreements are met and changes/enhancements/bugs are managed appropriately
• Develop RFPs and review proposals to determine buy vs. build solution.  Negotiate contracts with SLAs, performance agreements and incentives/penalties
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget with quality results that meet the business need.
• Ensure that all solutions meet F&G security and compliance guidelines and align with disaster recovery guidelines
• Retire legacy systems and solutions
• Define and assess all roadmaps, architectures, frameworks and risks associated with each, and manage risk and compliance to minimize exposure
• Estimate resources for all engagements and design, manage and oversee all project teams including internal staff as well as external business partners and third party vendors

Experience and Education Requirements

• B.S. or B.A. required, advanced degree preferred
• 10+ years of Information Technology leadership in applications architecture and development/programming
• 4+ years experience managing cross-functional development team
• Demonstrated experience leading teams in the Life and Annuity Insurance market
• Knowledge of Life and Annuity Distribution and Agent processing needs, automation trends
• Experience with business communication for technology enablement for Distribution and Agent needs
• Strong/current technical proficiency with applications architecture, frameworks and enterprise solutions delivery
• Strong/Current architecture and implementation experience
• Experience designing, developing, implementing and monitoring adherence to policy, process, procedures and standards
• Strong project management experience, certification a plus
• 5-7 years experience managing outsource vendors, COTS and internal staff
• ITIL certification a plus
• Significant technical financial and contract management experience
• Extensive service level management experience; SAS70 knowledge a plus
• Business Process Re-Engineering, Six Sigma or Lean a plus
• Knowledge of Financial Services industry a plus

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work with Retail Markets and Chief of Staff to prioritize and understand project needs
• Aptitude to manage multiple projects and initiatives simultaneously
• Ability to effectively lead teams, coordinate team activities, and mobilize workforce
• Strong insurance experience required; preferred experience supporting or working within retail
• Significant expertise in testing principles, disciplines, tools and environments
• Extensive service level management experience
• Participated in IT strategic planning and architectural design; established policies and standards
• Strong networking and relationship-building across the organization and with service providers and COTS vendors
• Current knowledge of solution and information security, compliance and disaster recovery principles.
• Business/commercially-focused and results oriented
• Strong fiscal focus including budgets, ROI and Cost Benefit Analysis
• Consultative and client-oriented, a creative problem solver with a collaborative nature
• Executive Leadership; ability to influence/negotiate with peers and vendors
• Excellent project management skills, PMI certification a plus
• Professional, decisive with integrity and high ethical standards