BUILD YOUR FUTURE…WHILE PROTECTING THEIRS.

You will be challenged. Rewarded. And valued for your unique experience, background and perspective.

Join a team where hard work pays off and original thinking is celebrated. As you build your future at Westfield Insurance, you will quickly learn that protecting our customer’s future by delivering on our promise to help restore lives and rebuild businesses when the unexpected happens is at the heart of what we do. Building relationships and caring about people has been part of our culture since 1848. Be a part of a team that recognizes and appreciates those who take initiative, know how to elevate an idea and can innovate and seek opportunity in a changing world.

CL Product Development Leader

Job Summary

* $132,527 - $152,406 - $172,285

The CL Product Development Leader serves as the head of their assigned major line of business (e.g. property, casualty) with accountability for risk appetite management, underwriting standards and guidelines and product portfolio planning and deployment in collaboration with business leaders and key stakeholders. This role is responsible for oversight and management of line of business practice groups to collectively manage line performance and ensure alignment and coordination across commercial segments. In addition, the CL Product Development Leader oversees and manages market research in support of product development, product changes required as a result of changes in state specific regulations, and marketplace positioning. The CL Product Development Leader shares ownership of the authority management process and underwriting referrals. This CL Product Development Leader is responsible for ensuring comprehensive resources are deployed to underwriters and other stakeh olders that articulate the Westfield commercial underwriting appetite, philosophy, policies, and expected best practices. Leads Product Development Managers, Product Development Analysts, and Consulting Underwriters.

Essential Functions (primary functions and/or reasons the job exists in order of importance)
* Leads risk appetite management for commercial underwriting in collaboration with business leaders and key stakeholders including the determination of classes of business that Westfield wants to pursue for assigned major line of business and alignment of line and sector management practices.
* Heads the development of underwriting standards and guidelines including oversight for:
* Technical expertise and counsel to line underwriters to assist in the compliance with rules and guidelines.
* Input into and enforcement of the authority management practice in conjunction with the underwriting practices leader.
* Responsible for oversight and management of line of business practice groups which includes participants from risk control, claims, actuarial, underwriting & sales and various CUO functions to collectively manage line performance and ensure alignment across the organization.
* Oversees the process for defining, designing and developing the product (rates, rules, forms).
* Leads all aspects of analyzing, planning, prioritizing, and executing the implementation of changes to the commercial product portfolio. Provides leadership over multiple, concurrent, and interdependent projects. Responsible for overall project plans, long term product portfolio plans, long-term sector management plans, and budget allocations for major product implementations
* Determines targets & priorities for when new products should be launched and when current products should be modified, suspended or withdrawn from the market or a channel.
* Establishes standards of practices with regard to design, development, rollout and maintenance of products (e.g., use of third party products, design of products/services as components available for reuse).
* Leads team to identify opportunities for strategic alliances that enable growth of the product portfolio. Ensures best practices associated with managing core products provided through third parties are leveraged across all product lines. Leverages technology and external resources to ensure efficiency.
* Determines and ensures product non-financial performance (e.g., coverage features, customer satisfaction) to meet targets.
* Provides business leaders input into the product portfolio strategy in alignment with the commercial lines competitive business strategies by determining market needs for new products / services and identifying internal or external offerings that may address the need.
* In conjunction with enterprise risk management, actuarial, and underwriting & sales, participates in the practice of exposure concentration management.
* Provides oversight for product deployment including:
- Planning, and collaborating with Product Delivery Team, Actuarial and IT leaders to manage the rate and product delivery schedule with consideration to the optimal use of resources, impact to underwriting and services staff, agents, and customers.
- Ensures effective communication and change management plans are in place and tailored to the nature of product portfolio changes. Ensures appropriate training and marketing opportunities are afforded to agents, underwriting and services staff to enable successful adoption of both major and routine changes to the product portfolio. Identifies and responds to communication and training needs for partner departments, especially Claims, which arise out of changes to the product portfolio.
* Leads product research to enable development of the product portfolio strategy as well as research to support commercial product and service offerings and maintenance of the product portfolio.
* Performs human capital management responsibilities including employee selection, performance management, coaching, and development. Manages priorities and workload distribution, and removes barriers that impede progress. Completes all personnel, salary administration, and reporting duties. Performs operational responsibilities that drive team performance including planning, execution, process improvement and best-practice sharing.
* Aligns annual expense budget plan and proactively monitors variances throughout the year.
* Travels occasionally in order to participate in special assignments, training, and/or travel between office locations.

Desired Qualifications/Experience/Certification/Education (in order of importance)
* 10 or more years’ experience within the underwriting/sales discipline, with proven history of advancement.
* 3+ years of people and/or project leadership experience including the ability to assign, guide, monitor, and evaluate the work of others.
* 3+ years’ experience with product lifecycle management, insurance product distribution, and/or pricing.
* Experience in developing and executing business strategies and plans.
* Experience planning and leading projects or initiatives with an enterprise-wide focus.
* Proven ability to analyze, interpret, and recommend policies and procedures that drive effectiveness and efficiency.
* Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including a demonstrated ability to interact with all levels of leadership and employee population.
* Obtained or working towards obtaining industry recognized designation(s) (e.g., CPCU, CIC).
* Bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience.
* Valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record that conforms to company standards.

Physical Requirements (specific to the role)
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
* Ability to work effectively in an office environment for 40+ hours per week (including sitting, standing and working on a computer for extended periods of time).
* Ability to communicate effectively in a collaborative work environment utilizing various technologies such as: telephone, computer, web, voice, teleconferencing, e-mail, etc.
* Ability to travel as required.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed in this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, skills, responsibilities, knowledge, etc. These may be subject to change and additional functions may be assigned as needed by management.

Westfield offers a Total Rewards program that focuses on compensation, benefits and wellness, and includes perks like 401(k), pension plan, annual incentive, education reimbursement, flex-time, onsite fitness center and casual dress. Work-life balance, recognition, and learning and career development are all part of a rewarding career with Westfield Insurance.

To learn more about Westfield and the opportunities available, please visit us at http://www.westfieldinsurance.com/

We are an equal opportunity employer/minority/female/disability/protected veteran.

Salary Range: US$118082.0 - US$153508.0 per year