Director, IT Solutions, Retail Marketing & Distribution

Job Summary

This position plays a key role in the organization by managing business application solution delivery, and leading the delivery of platforms and applications, for the Retail Markets’ Marketing & Distribution needs in support of F&G’s strategic goals and objectives.  Lead multiple projects  in the solution delivery group and provide thought leadership.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for the maintenance, support, scalability, and performance of applications associated with the Retail Marketing & Distribution domain including market research, feasibility, design, pricing, plan, and implementation
• Improve speed to market leveraging automation, innovation, and process improvements
• Own the escalation for all technology issues related to the delivery of Retail Marketing & Distribution applications
• Manage day-to-day relationships with Retail Marketing & Distribution vendors, TPA’s, and other strategic vendors
• Oversee day-to-day operations of team, including a mixed team of managers, engineers, analysts, and QA testing resources
• Responsible for the Retail Marketing & Distribution domain Technical Architecture and the building of the technical automation of the capability models for the Retail Business Unit
• Engage with Retail Business Unit to understand the Retail Marketing & Distribution roadmaps, and translate them into technology initiatives and solutions
• Lead the design and implementation of integrations between hardware and software platforms, programs, and applications
• Identify, plan, and execute integration strategies, ensure ongoing monitoring, and maintain and optimize existing integrations
• Partner with Chief of Staff, Architecture, and Engineering to ensure Retail Marketing & Distribution initiatives align with enterprise strategy
• Lead internal and external development teams (i.e., Team Lead, PM, Business Analyst, Application Dev, Application Support (maintenance) to deliver services
• Oversee solution 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, and communicate 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, and 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
• 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

• S. or B.A. required, advanced degree preferred
• 8+ years of Information Technology leadership in applications architecture and development/programming
• Experience managing cross-functional development team
• Demonstrated experience leading teams in the Life and Annuity Insurance market
• Knowledge of Life and Annuity Retail Marketing & Distribution needs and trends
• Knowledge of Retail Marketing & Distribution applications and integrations, development processes, and audit control requirements
• Experience with business communication for technology enablement of Retail Marketing & Distribution applications
• Experience with user experience and journey mapping initiatives and developing application roadmaps to support long-term capabilities
• Experience with at least one modern programming language (e.g., VBScript, Java, HTML, SQL)
• 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
• Experience managing outsource vendors (including offshore teams), COTS and internal staff
• ITIL certification a plus
• Significant technical financial and contract management experience
• Extensive service level management experience; SSAE 18 (formerly 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 IT leaders to understand desired user capabilities, 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 Marketing & Distribution
• Knowledge of User Experience design principles and best practices
• Experience working in an Agile IT environment, including managing Product Owner relationships
• 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