Director of Product Development

ABOUT IFG COMPANIES  

IFG Companies, founded in 1985, is one of America’s largest privately held, property and casualty “ A ” rated insurance groups in the United States. As a private company, IFG is focused on profitable growth through superior underwriting of a range of products and service to its producers and insureds.  

LOCATION  

IFG Companies is hiring in Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, North Carolina and on a case-by-case basis in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia .   Applicants must reside in one of these states to be hired .  Remote and flexible work arrangements are provided to all employees based on manager approval.  

SALARY RANGE  

The expected salary range is $140,000 to $175,00  and subject to change at any time at the discretion of the Company.  

POSITION SUMMARY

Contributes to countrywide and state specific product development initiatives, business strategies, compliance, and general maintenance activities relative to AAIS, ISO and IFG Companies' Commercial Insurance proprietary products for multiple lines of business. Actively engages with stakeholders including Customer Experience, Marketing, Operations, Underwriting, Claims, and other Commercial Insurance organizations. Leads design, analysis, development, and maintenance of assigned Commercial Line of Business Insurance forms including customer notices, quotes, applications, option selection forms, fillable forms, manuscripts or other pertinent product materials (manuals, reference charts, guidelines).  

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops product and coverage strategies and product development initiatives in conjunction with VP Product Management, CUO, Line of Business Leaders, Claims, Compliance and Legal.
• Drafts policy and endorsement language. Creates filing documentation and responses for Departments of Insurance. Collaboratively or independently creates and revises non-policy forms including: Option selection forms, important notices, applications, quotes, Fillable forms, adverse decision letters, and any other pertinent non-policy forms.
• Provides advanced coverage analysis expertise & direction for policy and/or non-policy forms.
• Conducts competitor coverage analysis, and makes recommendations for coverage and forms strategies. Creates side-by-side coverage comparisons for filing documentations and other purposes.
•   Develops communication, documentation, training and marketing materials in order to communicate coverage and/or non-policy forms information to internal and external customers.
•   Conducts training when needed. Serves as a resource for Product Management Department, Claims, Sales, Business Centers, and Underwriting staff for direction and training on the coverage intent and application of commercial lines forms and contract language.
• Performs accountabilities with advanced understanding of the quote, issuance and policy administration systems to facilitate the development of policy and non-policy forms.
• Provides consultation on development of forms. May direct others as part of a cross functional team or project team.
• May represent IFG Companies as the coverage/contract expert for industry committees such as ISO, AIA, AAIS, and PCIA. 
• Oversee and administer SERFF State filings, complete certifications, set up and maintain an IFG Companies' approval and filing documentation database, respond to DOI regulatory inquiries and working with team members to ensure timely and concise state filing builds.
• Provide input to the Senior Filing Analyst on regulatory and filing approach in response to DOI inquiries on coverage, rate filings and market conduct exams. Serves as a consultant on other regulatory interactions.
• Maintain knowledge on current and emerging issues for assigned area(s) of responsibility, assess the impact, and collaborate with management on how to incorporate solutions.
• Collaborate with LOB, Legal, Compliance, and Actuarial to resolve any issues relevant to securing state approval of forms and rates, or to revise products or procedures for compliance with new laws.
• In conjunction with the VP of Product Management contribute to the formulation of state and countrywide market strategies in conjunction with regulatory, actuarial, and legal partners. Develop and execute on line of business strategies for Commercial traditional and specialty products at a countrywide level. This position may manage others.
• Attract, develop, motivate and retain critical talent. Communicate results and priorities effectively to team.
• Supervisory responsibilities of the filing analyst and the process.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Technical knowledge/critical thinking: Ability to apply analyze plan, develop, improve on and implement processes. Ability to dissect and manage data at a cellular level to optimize coverage and product selection, market positioning and competitive position.
• Ability to balance analysis with competitor behaviors within the marketplace. Advanced ability to think strategically.
• Project Management: Advanced project management skills. Communication Skills: Expert verbal and written communication skills.
• Advanced leadership skills, including ability to: leverage differences, manage in participative manner, develop employees, manage change effectively, inspire others and promote a vision, understand and navigate the organization.
•   Advanced understanding of regulatory and compliance issues as well as Department of Insurance filing processes.
• Internal and external customer-focused orientation.
• Advanced oral and written communication skills with ability to influence at all levels of the organization. Includes the ability to communicate intent of contract and non-policy form language to all levels of the organization.
• Strong presentation skills. Advanced organization and time management skills, along with outstanding attention to detail.
• Advanced ability to analyze and develop competitive information, understanding changing legal climate and make appropriate coverage recommendations and decisions.
• Ability to use Microsoft programs such as Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word or other data-based applications.
• Willingness to travel as needed.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE / CERTIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in business management, management information, analytics, risk management or  related field or relevant industry experience
• Masters or Law Degree preferred.
• 5 years of insurance product management experience with a preferred experience in Commercial Insurance. Must exhibit in depth Property and Casualty industry knowledge (i.e policy production, endorsements, state filings, market research, compliance, rating, claims)
• Previous experience supervising or mentoring others. Possessing, significant progress toward or motivated to complete one or more of the following insurance designations CPCU, AU, ARM, and ASLI, etc.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Physical demands are considered to be that of an office environment, climate controlled, with minimal physical exertion.  This position requires prolonged sitting, ability to utilize a computer and interactions with others in meetings or via phone.
•  Ability to travel as necessary for business reasons.

BENEFITS