VP, Strategic Operations Manager

Role Description

Reporting to the VP, Head of Strategic Operations Management, this role is responsible for playing a key business relationship and product management partner across key property and casualty product lines in the wholesale market segment. As a member of the Business Solutions team, this role ensures alignment with enterprise-wide strategic and business unit priorities by driving operational excellence, fostering cross-functional collaboration, optimizing technology and operational workflows, and owning prioritization of capabilities.

This is achieved by leveraging team product management expertise, refining best practices for ways of working, and overseeing the successful execution and adoption of digital transformation initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Planning
  • Partner with BU Divisional Presidents and leaders to understand priorities and guide the team in analyzing customer and employee journeys for improvement opportunities as the product leader for the domain.
  • Develop and understand BU priorities into a clear, actionable outcome and value-oriented roadmap that aligns with business unit and enterprise goals.
  • Oversee the identification and prioritization of operational and technology initiatives to support underwriting and business objectives.
  • Ensure the integration of market insights and leading practices into business planning.
• Execution
  • Partner with cross-functional teams to own and drive improvements in customer and employee experience journeys.
  • Understand UW operations and strategic direction to inform and identify opportunities and priorities for improvement.
  • Lead and represent the BU in cross-functional transformation efforts, serving as an evangelist for BU in major initiatives.
  • Oversee the BU impacts of implementation of technology and analytics-enabled workflows, partnering with IT, Data, and other enabling functions.
  • Promote the development of business relationships and product management disciplines and outcome-based delivery.
  • Partner with IT and Lean Deployment Specialists to implement and prioritize automation strategies.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Foster strong engagement between Strategic Operations Managers and IT, Data, Process Engineering, and other business functions.
  • Promote business innovation and optimization through collaborative problem-solving across multiple business units.
  • Champion digital capabilities and value-based outcomes across business units and executive stakeholders.
• Talent Management & Capability Development
  • Lead goal setting, performance evaluation, and professional development for applicable product owners or other team members.
  • Advocate and partner with Centers of Excellence (COEs) to operationalize and scale best practices.

Key Competencies

• Strategic vision and ability to translate business plans into operational and technology solutions.
• Effective communication and stakeholder engagement across all levels of the organization.
• Expertise in understanding business unit strategies and optimizing customer/employee journeys.
• Strong cross-functional alignment and business innovation capabilities.
• Champion of continuous improvement, ownership, and collaboration across business, operations, and technology.
• Experience in business relationship manager and advisory practices, including industry product management and product operating models.

Skills & Leadership Attributes

• Exceptional leadership and communication skills, with a focus on influence and cross-functional partnership.
• Strong written and verbal communication, with the ability to influence and present complex ideas to varied audiences.
• Self-motivated and proactive in identifying and seizing opportunities.
• Comfortable working independently in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrates teamwork, interpersonal effectiveness, technical acumen, and stakeholder management.
• Flexible and adaptable, with experience in change management.
• Capable of developing and presenting strategic communications to senior leadership.
• Proficient in digital transformation execution and understanding of the end-to-end insurance lifecycle.

Education & Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field required.
• 10+ years of experience in insurance operations or Underwriting, strong preference for Specialty & Commercial.
• Certified Business Relationship Manager or Product Management or equivalent Agile certification.
• 5-10+ years prior experience as a Business Relationship Manager/Strategic Advisor, or Product Management functions that triangulates between business partners, Underwriting, Operations and Technology.

Compensation

For individuals assigned or hired to work in the location(s) indicated below, the base salary range is provided. Range is as of the time of posting. Position is incentive eligible.

$157,400 - 244,301/year

Total individual compensation (base salary, short & long-term incentives) offered will take into account a number of factors including but not limited to geographic location, scope & responsibilities of the role, qualifications, talent availability & specialization as well as business needs. The above pay range may be modified in the future.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including multiple medical plans plus dental, vision and prescription drug coverage.
• Competitive 401k with generous matching.
• PTO beginning at 20 days per year.
• Up to 12 paid company holidays per year plus 2 paid days of Volunteer Time Off.
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance as well as Short and Long-Term Disability.
• Paid Parental Leave of up to 10 weeks.
• Student Loan Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement.
• Backup Child and Elder Care.