Annuity Product Manager

Job Summary

Accountable for the successful delivery of new Product and System upgrade projects from an Operations perspective. Work closely with Product Development and Information Technology to ensure Operations concerns and interests are represented in determining the best solution for the Company. Participate in pertinent steps of the Project Lifecycle which include, but are not limited to, writing business requirements, developing test plans and conducting user acceptance testing.

Be the voice of Operations on assigned Product and System initiatives.

• Review New Product Ideas and Specifications for impact to Operations. Provide feedback on your findings throughout the development and implementation process.
• Participate in and/or manage cross-functional and cross-departmental teams in research, planning, design, development, testing and implementation of product (Annuity & Life) and systems initiatives. This includes:
  • Extensive knowledge of products, policies, procedures and systems which drive the administration of Nassau Products
  • Thoughtful and thorough research and analysis
  • Diagnosis of existing business processes, identification of areas for process and/or technical improvement, presentation of recommendations, documentation of scope, implementation of approved projects
  • Building consensus within and between diverse project teams
  • Identification, tracking and seeing issues through to resolution, often relying on corporate savvy and influencing skills to accomplish
  • Participation in vendor selection, contract execution, vendor management
  • Process Documentation and Reengineering
  • Monitoring and communication of project progress to all stakeholders. Taking ownership of and resolving impediments to success
  • Participation in and/or oversight of User Acceptance Testing
• With IT, assure the integrity of various systems that support Life & Annuity Operations. Work with IT to prioritize problems and resolve as promptly as possible to assure high‑quality service to Nassau customers and producers.
• Collaborate with Product, IT and Operations colleagues to identify and implement appropriate product and system solutions.
• Mentor and coach others as appropriate on project life‑cycle methodologies.
• Participate in professional development opportunities.
• Must maintain appropriate attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Business Acumen

• Solid understanding of Annuity products required;
  Life product knowledge a plus.
• Knows how business works, knowledgeable in current and possible future policies, practices, trends, and information affecting his or her business and organization, knows the competition, is aware of how strategies and tactics work in the marketplace.

Functional / Technical Skills

• Knowledge of product development life cycles and project planning, design and implementation.

Communication

• Practices attentive and active listening, has patience to hear people out, accurately restates opinions and statements of others, speaks and writes clearly and succinctly in a variety of settings and styles.

Problem Solving

• Uses rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions, probes all fruitful sources for answers, sees hidden problems, is excellent at honest analysis, looks beyond the obvious and does not stop at the first answers.

Leadership

• Inspires and guides team toward a shared vision, steps forward to lead as needed, leads by example, possesses effective delegation and accountability skills, acts as an effective coach and mentor.

Conflict Management and Negotiation

• Assesses conflicts, sees them as opportunities, reads situations quickly, listens focused, can hammer out tough agreements and settle disputes equitably, finds common ground and secures cooperation with minimal noise.

Professional Presence

• Demonstrates confidence, empathy and business savvy, presents ideas effectively both to large groups and in one‑on‑one situations.

Conceptual / Analytical Thinking

• Sees basic relationships, applies knowledge to problems, generates alternative solutions, makes and justifies recommendations.

Influencing

• Finds common ground quickly and solves…