Director of Integration (Insurance Project Management)
The Director/Senior Director of Integration will lead high-impact projects aligned with Novacore’s growth strategy, focusing on post-acquisition integration, synergy realization, and enterprise-wide transformation initiatives.
Responsibilities
Lead all aspects of project lifecycle management including planning, execution, governance, stakeholder communication, and reporting.
Designing the integration strategy
Plan and conduct the Integration Team Kickoff Meeting to ensure all functional integration leaders understand their roles and responsibilities during the transition period.
Ensure project delivery aligns with Novacore’s strategic objectives and adheres to established governance frameworks.
Build a 2–3-person integration team to support increased acquisition pace.
Facilitate integration planning
Lead pre-close planning sessions, set up structured timelines, and prepare teams for key decisions and handoffs.
Manage coordination of critical functional areas such as HR, IT, Finance, and Operations to ensure alignment and progress, providing clear direction throughout.
Guide workstream leaders, clarify priorities, and maintain focus across teams.
Manage the interdependence between functions so activities are prioritized and sequenced correctly.
Keep the team focused on delivering deal value, not just checking boxes.
Engage senior leadership, middle managers, and employees to build alignment and maintain transparency.
Escalate issues requiring senior-level input so they are resolved quickly and effectively.
Track progress using integration project management tools and metrics to monitor milestones, identify delays, and adjust plans as needed.
Ensure exit criteria are met.
Document any handoffs to segment leaders at the end of the transition period.
Monitor and report on project KPIs and delivery performance, ensuring accurate and timely updates to executive stakeholders.
Resolve conflicts by balancing competing priorities, structures, and team dynamics.
Brief the acquired management team and employees so that they understand the integration process and how it will impact them.
Create and maintain project items including business cases, project charters/project initiation documents, risk and issue logs, resource plans, timelines, and dashboards.
Drive continuous improvement in project delivery practices and M&A business integration playbooks.
Capture lessons learned and recommendations for future acquisitions.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Business Administration, or related discipline.
Additional certifications/qualifications preferred (PMP, AMP PMQ, etc.).
Prior experience in project management within the Financial Services or Insurance sector a plus.
Proven experience in leading business integration projects for new segments and/or M&A transactions.
Strong understanding of the end-to-end business stand-up and M&A lifecycle, including due diligence, post-signature integration, and change management.
Experience managing complex, cross-functional projects involving multiple business units and external third parties.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to convey complex project updates clearly to diverse audiences.
Highly skilled in organizing and leading Steering Committees and executive project reviews.
Proficient in using project management tools (e.g., MS Project, JIRA, Tempo, MS Office).
Strong documentation and analytical skills; able to translate strategy into actionable project plans.
Collaborative, adaptable, and comfortable in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.
Ability to lead virtual teams and manage projects across multiple states/locations and willingness to understand the local regulatory environments.