Manager, IT Solutions - Retail Product Innovation

Job Summary

This position plays a key role in the organization by managing business application solution delivery and product innovation for the Retail Markets’ Products team in support of F&G’s strategic goals and objectives. This position is responsible for leading the product innovation for F&G Retail Markets. This position will also lead multiple projects in the solution delivery group to support product launches across multiple channels, and provide thought leadership.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for the maintenance, support, scalability, and performance of applications associated with product innovation including market research, feasibility, design, pricing, plan, and implementation
• Support enhancements to existing products and develop and maintain the technology services for new products
• Improve speed to market leveraging automation, innovation, and process improvements
• Manage escalation for all technology issues related to the delivery of Retail Product applications
• Manage day-to-day relationships with Retail Product Innovation vendors, TPA’s, and other strategic vendors for product launches and enhancements
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the team, including a mixed team of engineers and analysts
• Manage partnership with Retail BU and understand the product innovation roadmaps, translating them into technology initiatives and solutions
• Lead internal and external development teams (i.e., Team Lead, PM, Business Analyst, Application Dev, Application Support (maintenance) to deliver services
• Manage end-to-end 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
• Participate in the development of RFPs and review proposals to determine buy vs. build solution. Provide recommendations for contracts with SLAs, performance agreements and incentives/penalties
• Responsible for projects to be 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
• Drive continual innovation improvements
• Provide subject matter expertise on complex projects
• 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
• 6+ 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 Product Lifecycle needs, and automation trends
• Experience with business communication for technology enablement for product innovation
• Strong 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, 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

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