VP, Chief Technology Officer

About the role

This role requires a minimum of 10 years of Life and Annuity information technology experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the modernization of the company’s core insurance platforms and technology ecosystem.
• Drive innovation through technology and thought leadership.
• Ensure the operating model is optimized in terms of cost and quality of service.
• Create a culture of continuous improvement.
• Infuse AI into IT practices consistently.
• Build relationships with key stakeholders across the business.
• Bring process and rigor to the IT organization, with particular emphasis on shoring up the architecture and software development lifecycle methodology.
• Assess the IT leadership team and develop or fortify as needed.
• Present and story tell the IT Vision, Technical direction, and various transformation “pitches” to a wide variety of audiences.
• Participate in various thought leadership areas, strategies, meetings, committees.

Professional Experience/Qualifications

• 20+ years of information technology experience and 10+ years of IT leadership and business transformation work in the life and annuities business.
• Deep understanding of the business landscape of a Life & Annuity organization, including but not limited to New Business, Underwriting, Claims, InForce management, Product development, Actuarial analysis, and Investment management.
• Recognized achievement in delivering a successful major technology transformation program, and in the delivery of a modern heavily cloud-based environment.
• Proven track record in identifying opportunities and delivering innovative and pragmatic digital solutions that challenge the status quo.
• Ability to effectively present technical or complex information to senior management with simplicity.
• Significant experience working with technology vendors through strategic partnership and managing a diverse workforce of internals and externals.
• Strong financial management experience and demonstrable track-record in driving continual improvements in the cost base.
• Experience developing and deploying IT change programs with detailed business case development and delivery at the board or business unit level.
• Track record of successfully working on complicated initiatives encased in ambiguity and uncertainty.
• Strong communication skills and persuasion and influencing skills.
• Broad experience in architecture and application software delivery.
• Adept at defining IT vision and strategy and identifying initiatives that lead to target state architectures and outcomes.
• Adept at continuous learning, especially in emerging areas of technology, modern work practices, and digital transformation.
• Strong and concise communication ability with persuasion and influencing skills in a matrixed organization.
• Ability to coach, mentor, and develop a trusted learning organization that creates teams of future leaders.
• Broad experience in application software delivery, infrastructure, security, data, and vendor management.
• Adept at defining the IT technical direction and identification of initiatives that lead to target state architectures and outcomes. Then bringing people along towards the target state through leadership and influence.
• Adept at continuous learning, especially in emerging areas of technology, modern work practices, and digital transformation.
• Ability to create a culture of engagement, empowerment, execution, and trust amongst teams through self-awareness, influence, humility, and vulnerability.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, engineering, or a related engineering of science field is required.
• MBA or master’s degree is required.

AI Proficiency Expectations

• 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.

Benefits

The benefits package includes a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. The successful candidate may also be eligible to participate in National Life’s discretionary annual incentive programs, subject to the rules governing such programs. If hired, the employee will be in an "at-will position" and National Life reserves the right to terminate employment at any time.