Product Manager - R&D

Independence, OH

Bristol West Insurance Group

This position is very project focused.  The successful candidate will be the liaison for R&D concerning efforts to create, design, and implement a data warehouse architecture on Farmer’s systems.  After the data warehouse is complete, the individual will maintain a close working relation with IT to ensure metadata information is updated regularly and that the data systems fulfill Farmer’s end-user needs in both R&D and Product.  The individual will also be involved in overseeing the training of end-users to facilitate rapid SQL queries against the data warehouse via off the shelf query tools such as MBI and SAS.

The position lies at the intersection of R&D, IT, & Product.  In addition to ensuring the timely flow of data to R&D and Product, the individual will be responsible for serving as the point person for compliance requests from Departments of Insurance, and will assume a role as lead resource in state offbalance work as the Farmer’s aligned product is deployed.

RESPONSIBILITIES & OBJECTIVES 

·        Design and implement a state of the art data warehouse for Product R&D, ensuring that this warehouse can be queried via off the shelf software such as MBI and SAS

·        Build and maintain metadata tables for the data warehouse

·        Develop and maintain a periodic training program to instruct staff how to access the data warehouse to obtain business-relevant information

·        Maintain expert-level knowledge of state market, regulatory environment, legal environment, coverages, forms, and underwriting.

·        Maintain thorough understanding of current product features to facilitate the oversight of offbalance work by analysts

·        Work closely with Product Managers and R&D Managers to ensure DOI compliance

·        Provide product training throughout the organization, concentrated on increasing the flow of information to R&D and Product.

·        Work with IT to ensure proposed product features are achievable given IT resource constraints

·        Perform other duties as assigned

·        The position will require travel (up to 25%)

PREREQUISITES

Education

·        MBA or other advanced qualification required. 

Experience & Skills

·        3-5 years experience in the insurance industry, with a minimum of 3 years in a pricing/product development role.

·        Knowledge of insurance company operations including processing, Underwriting, Claims, Finance, Actuarial, Marketing, and Systems.

·        Strong analytical and quantitative skills.  Must be demonstrated through college course work, prior work experience, or insurance industry study.

·        Experience in pricing, product development, competitive analysis and marketing

·        Experience in creating training programs and conducting training

·        Track record demonstrating creativity in pricing or product development.

·        Strong critical thinking and problem solving skills.

·        Ability to review complex issues and develop solutions.

·        Flexibility to balance all sides in an issue before making a decision.

·        Creative, innovative, fresh approaches to work.

·        Must possess initiative and ability to be self-starter.

·        Ability to make decisions using input from all members of the team.

·        Must work well with others and be able to build commitment to decisions.

·        Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Access.  SAS knowledge is a plus.

·        Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present ideas in a clear manner to various groups.