Tech Lead, Product & Inforce App Development

Role Summary

The Product Domain Technical Lead plays a pivotal role within the Product & Inforce organization, driving major Product Launch initiatives and shaping technical solutions across the product ecosystem. This is a hands-on technical leadership role that requires deep expertise in life and annuity products, application architecture, and integration frameworks.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on technical leadership for Product Domain initiatives, including design, development, integration, and implementation.
• Evaluate technology options and trade-offs to ensure feasibility, scalability, and performance of solutions.
• Drive the adoption of AI-assisted coding, refactoring, and documentation practices to enhance productivity and reduce legacy maintenance overhead.
• Drive end-to-end solution delivery, from architecture through deployment and support.
• Partner with Product Owners and Business Stakeholders to align technology strategy with product vision and business goals.
• Build strong trust-based relationships across departments to drive alignment and innovation.
• Work closely with Architects and IT teams to define, implement, and maintain standards, processes, and roadmaps for the Product domain.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure efficient resource utilization and timely delivery of initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for application modernization, rationalization, and transformation toward a simplified, modern system platform.
• Lead process re-engineering and technology implementation initiatives to optimize operational efficiency.
• Support strategic financial developments for new product launches, ensuring technology enablement aligns with financial and regulatory objectives.
• Ensure that technical solutions meet business requirements and comply with architecture, security, and quality standards.
• Manage estimation, cost, and scheduling for all domain-related solutions and projects.
• Oversee the release management and testing processes to ensure high-quality delivery.
• Establish best practices for AI governance, model validation, and responsible AI usage within Mainframe Product development.
• Communicate effectively across organizational levels, providing clear updates and guidance on project progress and risks.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 15+ years of experience in Full System Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
• Expertise in IBM Mainframe technologies: COBOL, JCL, SQL, CICS, DB2, VSAM, ISPF/PDF, FILE-AID, MVS, Endevor.
• Proven experience in Life and Annuity Product systems, particularly on Vantage Policy Administration Platform:
• 15+ years of Product domain experience preferred.
• 7+ years leading teams on Vantage systems preferred.
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills with the ability to design and build complex algorithms.
• Demonstrated success leading in matrixed, outsourced environments, leveraging influence and collaboration.
• Experience in managing third-party IT suppliers cost-effectively.
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies and iterative delivery processes highly desired.
• Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills with a proactive, adaptive mindset.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Thinking and Technical Vision
• Leadership in Cross-Functional Teams
• Architecture and Integration Design
• Agile and DevOps Practices
• Change and Risk Management
• Continuous Improvement and Innovation

AI Proficiency Expectations

All applicants are expected to:

• Leverage approved AI tools, where appropriate, to improve the efficiency, quality, and impact of their work.
• Stay curious and open to new AI-enabled ways of working.
• Exercise sound judgment by reviewing and validating AI-generated content.
• Maintain accountability for the accuracy, quality, fairness, and integrity of work products by adhering to National Life’s AI guiding principles.
• Use AI responsibly and in accordance with company policies related to confidentiality, data privacy, security, compliance, retention and intellectual property.

Career Path

This role offers a clear progression toward an Applications Domain Head position within the Product & Inforce organization, providing opportunities for strategic leadership and enterprise impact.

Benefits

Your benefits start day one and are flexible and customizable to your and your family’s specific needs. Check out the BENEFITS of a Career at National Life!

Salary Pay Range

$106,875 - $156,750 USD

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National Life Group
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Montpelier, VT 05604