Manager, Solutions Delivery – Retail Product (Competitive Intelligence and Market Research)

Job Summary

This position plays a key role in the organization by managing business application solution delivery and providing technology services for the Retail Markets’ Product team conducting Competitive Intelligence and market research  work. 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 Competitive Intelligence and market research including market research, feasibility, design, pricing, plan, and implementation
• Improve product speed to market leveraging automation, support, and process improvements
• Manage escalation for all technology issues related to the delivery of Competitive Intelligence and market research
• Manage day-to-day relationships with Competitive Intelligence and market research vendors, TPA’s, and other strategic vendors for product launches and enhancements
• Manage partnership with Retail BU and understand the product 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
• 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
• 7+ years of Information Technology leadership in applications architecture and development/programming
• 2+ years of 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 of Competitive Intelligence and market research work
• Experience with market research and survey tools, services, and platforms
• 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

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work with Retail Markets and IT leaders 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
• Insurance experience required; preferred experience supporting or working within retail
• 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

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