IT Manager, Application Development and Support (Policy/Underwriting Systems) - Blue Bell, PA

Responsible for leading a team of application developers and support personnel working to enhance and maintain current Policy and Underwriting applications while also leading the transition of systems to a new Guidewire platform in the Cloud. Working in conjunction with business partners, will identify and act upon opportunities to modernize technology, introduce digital capabilities and feature enhancements, and improve application functionality and efficiency in support of PMA strategic and tactical business goals.
Responsibilities
* Under the direction of senior IT leadership, provides oversight of team involvement with major business/technology initiatives, collaborating with appropriate stakeholders to manage expectations. Will lead the team through a skill set transformation and technology migration/implementation leveraging Guidewire's InsuranceSuite in the Cloud.
* Leads team in all aspects of application work through the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) ensuring compliance with PMA project management and SDLC policies.
* Assists the IT organization in defining and implementing its business plan and goals to support the strategy and goals of the organization. Responsible for working with leaders across the organization to create the business plan for IT. Defines multi-year strategic plans to support the organizational strategic direction in relation to product and service models.
* Collaborates with senior leadership to identify and prioritize opportunities to utilize IT to achieve the goals of the enterprise. Collaborates with business partners to develop business cases for projects and gain IT Governance approval. Collaborates with PMA subject matter experts and architects to optimize solution approach.
* Effectively manages, in conjunction with IT senior leadership, external business relationships with third party software and service providers.
* Evaluates opportunities for improved externally supplied services, actively participating in user community events. Keeps abreast of providers' ability to maintain infrastructure currency and evaluates marketplace for alternative solution providers.
* Ensures production system service levels are met by providing effective oversight of team support operations and ensuring systems maintain technology currency.
* Participates in the budgeting and capital project processes and quality improvement activities for the applications.
* Plays IT Product Owner role for applications in the team portfolio.
* May serve in an IT Project Sponsor or Project Manager role for select projects.
* Ensures compliance of staff with all company policies.
* Responsible for audit compliance of IT functions within managerial purview.
* Review and approve vendor invoices for payment
* Prepare and conduct quarterly and annual team member reviews and set annual team goals
* Demonstrate commitment to Company's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and apply knowledge of compliance policies and procedures, standards and laws applicable to job responsibilities in the performance of work.

Minimum of 10 years of IT and business work experience including a leadership role on enterprise initiatives.

* Minimum of 3 years of direct IT supervisory experience including staff development and formal performance appraisal process.

* Minimum of 3 years of experience with Guidewire Policy Center (preferably in the Cloud). Guidewire certifications a plus.

* Experience in the Commercial Insurance industry is required (must have).

* Experience with Agile development methodology, knowledge of SAFE Agile is plus

* Vendor management experience including experience developing and negotiating statements of work.

* Familiarity with Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) and its application to IT controls and audit requirements.

* Experience using Jira.

* Experience developing and tracking to an IT budget.

* Superior time management and record keeping skills. Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment and prioritize the most critical tasks and projects. Demonstrated use of a personal "trusted system" to ensure tasks are not missed and follow-ups occur.

* Excellent problem solving/analytical skills and complex troubleshooting methods.

* Excellent presentation, verbal, and written communication skills.

* Self-motivated, able to work independently, and able to take initiative without always being directed. Must be detail oriented, action oriented, and capable of independently solving complex problems.

* Effective verbal and written communication skills with a proven ability to communicate in business language using an audience-centered approach and communicate across levels of the organization.

* Strong attention to detail and analytical skills, including the ability to think independently and grasp the "big picture" without losing sight of the details.

* Inquisitive in nature with a desire to gain a full understanding of business and technology operations as they relate to technology outcomes.

* Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills.

* Proficiency with MS Office tools.

Experience or knowledge in the following areas a plus:

* Experience in leading insurance systems modernization/digital transformation a plus.

* Project management, Agile, SCRUM, and ITIL certification a plus.

* Experience with oversight of both distributed and mainframe technology development a plus.

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or other related field. Or, equivalent work experience.