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Head of Technology - Beazley Digital

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General

Job Title: Head of Technology - Beazley Digital

Division: Beazley Digital

Reports To: As per Beazley's organisation chart

Location: Birmingham (UK)/Atlanta (US)/West Hartford (US)

Key Relationships:

CEO Beazley Digital, Head of Operations, Head of Underwriting and Beazley Digital management peers, Project Management Underwriters, Claims Managers, Technology teams, other Beazley Group support functions. Brokers and external business partners to utilise our digital products and services, Beazley governance committees - that have some operations oversight (e.g. Operations Committee, NAMC, and BIDAC management committee), regulatory entities as appropriate.

Job Summary:

To be responsible for Beazley Digital's Information Systems and Technology. To work with key internal and external stakeholders on the definition and delivery of Beazley Digital technology solutions whilst developing a longer term technology strategy that underpins the needs of the growing business. To ensure that systems are operational and providing required support for business operations on a day to day basis. Be responsible for provision of high quality data and data analytics solutions.

To work in close partnership with the Head of Operations, Head of Underwriting (US and RoW) and Beazley Digital management peers to form a true cross functional team. Share ownership with Beazley Digital management team for the end-to-end digital customer experience and service.

Provide technical expertise in this business area and maintain and improve market reputation of the Beazley brand.

The Beazley Digital management team will encompass focus group / product teams based in the US, London, and Rest of World; and will focus on products that are digital/e-traded or products that the Beazley executive team has targeted to become digital/e-traded. The team underwrite a wide array of specialty products, predominantly high volume, simpler risk business that is better suited to digital distribution and e-trading.

Work in partnership with Beazley support team leaders (e.g. Group COO, Group CIO, Head of Compliance, Head of Finance) to ensure continuity of service to our brokers and customers; and to generate business that is of mutual value to both.

Key Responsibilities:

Member of the Beazley Digital Management Team

The management team has responsibility over all aspects of the Beazley Digital business unit. Its specific responsibilities include:-

  • Strategic direction of digital underwriting.
  • The underwriting performance and profit & loss.
  • Design and execution of annual and medium term business plans including CBPOs and all budgets.
  • Recruitment, retention, deployment and motivation of all members of the group.
  • Cycle management.
  • Risk management / safety net.
  • New product development, in partnership with cross functional management team.
  • Broker relationship, in partnership with broker relations and other underwriting teams.

Technology

  • Line manage regional technology capability with appropriate local management across the US, UK, and RoW.
  • Source and manage any vendor and IT outsource arrangements required to support the digital business, or be the liaison with service owner if arrangement managed within Beazley Group.
  • Research and monitor changing industry practices and review technology and data solutions of wider industries to ensure the Group can benefit from best practice.
  • Develop and agree as appropriate SLAs / performance metrics that are consistent across the global technology provision for the digital business. Foster an atmosphere of excellence and effectiveness.
    • Be responsible day-to-day for the management and improvement of the performance and cost of various technology teams.
    • Provide day to day management of technology including efficiency and effectiveness, change management, provision of appropriate financial and management information, and business planning.
    • Ensure consistency of best practice across the digital business and in-line with Beazley Group.
    • Co-ordinate developments across the Group's trading and technology teams to ensure common approaches (where appropriate) and sharing of best practice.
    • Manage resource issues within various technology teams to ensure the digital business teams have sufficient and appropriate support.
  • Pro-actively manage, develop, motivate and lead various technology teams:
    • Build teams that can deliver the digital business objectives through technical and soft skills development.
    • Provide effective leadership, communication and direction to the team.
    • Promote a product led mindset via the coaching and development of the teams product managers
    • Build on the value / outcome framework to ensure teams understand why they are developing technology and the expected commercial outcome
  • Strive to execute flawlessly, identify issues rapidly, and improve continuously;
    • Expert in developing agile delivery teams and expert in agile delivery methods
    • Ensure the accurate and timely processing for clients.
    • Ensure all major SLAs for speed and accuracy are maintained.
    • Target continuous improvement through pro-actively identifying production issues or process improvement opportunities, team members' capabilities, and energy levels within teams.
    • Ensure feedback on people and service is received and actioned in a timely and effective manner.
    • Ensure services and associated costs are understood, transparent and perceived as value-for-money
  • Develop meaningful, strong, working relationships with key stakeholders across the digital business and the Group
    • Increase effectiveness of communications with key stakeholders.
    • Actively engage key stakeholders in status and key issues creating an environment of increased transparency and collaboration.
    • Actively update digital business management with key issues along with proposed plans for resolution.
    • Communicate clearly my position and opinion on those issues.
    • Develop and maintain relationships with brokers, ensuring that we understand their e-business plans and existing platforms. Ensure Beazley's processes and systems are aligned/integrated to brokers where necessary.

    Change and Transformation

    • Work in partnership with the Head of Operations to coordinate an effective agile delivery model for digital and service delivery.
    • Be responsible for the design and delivery of the Beazley Digital technology model that will support our growth and distribution plans.
    • Ensure all staff (within the digital business and broader Beazley group as appropriate) receive clear and frequent updates regarding any change management programmes and operational developments or issues.

    Relationship Management

    • Ensure digital technology teams build strong working relationships with the wider business.
    • Represent Beazley Digital externally to customers, the industry, and other organisations, to ensure that its reputation and capabilities are positively perceived.
    • Develop relationships with senior management and staff in all areas of Beazley and ensure that there is an open and constructive dialogue regarding operational needs, wants and issues at all levels of the organisation.
    • Ensure all staff receive clear and frequent updates regarding any change management programmes and operational developments or issues.
    • Develop and maintain constructive relationships with peers in organisations similar to Beazley in order to share information and ideas in an appropriate manner.
    • Ensure the various committees and Boards, as appropriate, are kept updated of operational status of the Group globally, and progress with any major initiatives that could affect the Beazley business.

    Financial Accountability

    • Take responsibility for both expense and budget management within digital operations.
    • Manage costs actively with the goal of managing expenses within budget and enhancing value for money.

    Team Leadership:

    As a Beazley Manager, you are expected to:

    • Provide leadership, direction and support to the team
    • Foster a spirit of inclusion, teamwork and unity that reflects Beazley's overall workplace culture, values and appreciation of the benefits of diversity
    • Act as a manager, mentor and coach to direct reports to enable them to fulfil their potential ensuring continuous development of them and the wider team
    • Ensure direct reports are supported in contributing to the delivery and achievement of the overall team and business objectives
    • Provide effective performance feedback on a regular basis, ensuring employees are recognised and rewarded for their contribution. Conversely, providing timely feedback to address poor performance, taking disciplinary action as appropriate
    • Maintain transparent and effective communication through department meetings, one-to-one meetings, email etc
    • Encourage knowledge sharing and effective delegation to minimise key person dependencies
    • Work with other team managers ensuring team resources overall are effectively utilised and people are appropriately challenged
    • Encourage direct reports to think proactively about their careers, signposting development and stretch opportunities for strong performers where possible
    • Work with Culture & People as appropriate to escalate performance concerns ensuring set objectives are clear and measurable and progress is tracked accordingly

    General

    It is important that within all your interactions both internally and externally you adhere to Beazley's core values - Being Bold, Striving for Better, and Doing the Right Thing - as they contribute to an internal environment of teamwork and promote a positive brand image and experience to our external customers. We also expect Beazley employees to:

    • Comply with Beazley procedures, policies and regulations including the code of conduct, which incorporates the PRA and FCA Conduct.
    • Undertake training on Beazley policies and procedures as delivered by your line manager, the Culture & People or assurance teams (compliance, risk, internal audit) either directly, via e-learning or the learning management system.
    • Display business ethics that uphold the interests of all our customers.
    • Ensure all interactions with customers are focused on delivering a fair outcome, including having the right products for their needs.
    • Comply with any specific responsibilities necessary for your role as outlined by your line manager, the Culture & People or assurance teams (compliance, risk, internal audit) and ensure you keep up to date with developments in these areas. This may include, amongst others, Beazley's underwriting control standards, Beazley's claims control standards, other Beazley standards and customer relationship management.
    • Adjuster license(s) may be required as part of your job responsibilities. If required, those licenses must be obtained within the first 90 days of your employment and in accordance with an individual licensing plan established by Beazley Compliance and your Manager.
    • Carry out additional responsibilities as individually notified, either through your objectives or through the learning management system. These may include membership of any Beazley committees or working groups.

    Person Specification

    Skills and Abilities

    • Strong business understanding and ability to work in partnership with the business
    • Demonstrated ability to manage IT and non-IT projects with demonstrated delivery of business value and pursuit of quality
    • Experienced change manager, able to understand and advise on how to implement process, IT and people changes while minimising the IT and related business change delivery risks
    • Understanding of business strategy and the work of the teams within the customer organisation
    • Able to identify and help the business to assess options and solutions that best fit business requirements
    • Excellent management skills with the ability to influence and manage a team of professionals

    Knowledge and Experience

    • Previous experience in IT, with proven experience of relationship and resource (people and financial) management
    • Experience of delivering IT projects, preferably covering the use of internal resources, third party (packaged) solutions and outsourced services
    • Experience of delivering non-IT projects, including experience around people change management

    Aptitude and Disposition

    • A strong communicator.
    • Outcome focussed, self-motivated, flexible and enthusiastic.
    • Able to understand and articulate the strategic "big picture".
    • Commercially astute - able to negotiate effectively with vendors as required.
    • Technically innovative, a problem solver and solution builder.
    • Self-motivated, flexible and enthusiastic.
    • High energy and personal drive.
    • Professional approach to interact successfully with managers/colleagues/external suppliers.
    • Able to work with multi-cultural and multi-location teams and to generate enthusiasm and drive.
    • Ability to work closely in a team environment and develop productive working relationships.
    • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including proven ability to work with non-technical people.
    • A confident, tenacious and resourceful, self-starter with good networking and leadership.
    • Flexibility to travel as the role requires.

    Competencies

    • Managing resources effectively
    • Business awareness
    • Planning
    • Purposeful communication
    • Technical competence/expertise

    The rewards:

    • The opportunity to connect and build long-lasting professional relationships while advancing your career with a growing, dynamic organization
    • Attractive base compensation and discretionary performance related annual bonus
    • Competitively priced medical, dental and vision insurance
    • Company paid life, and short- and long-term disability insurance
    • 401(k) plan with 5% company match and immediate vesting
    • 22 days annual PTO (full-time, prorated for 1st calendar year of employment), plus paid public holidays with the ability to flex the religious bank holidays to suit your religious beliefs. Additional PTO purchase is available up to a maximum of 5 days per calendar year.
    • Up to $700 reimbursement towards home office setup
    • Free in-office lunch, travel reimbursement for travel to office, and monthly lifestyle allowance in support of your wellbeing
    • The opportunity to save for, and purchase, shares of Beazley stock
    • Six months fully paid parental leave, regardless of how you come to parenthood
    • Company paid sabbatical up to 12 weeks after 10 years of continued service
    • Support with exam/study leave and fees for relevant qualifications related to furthering education
    • Up to 2.5 days matched paid leave for volunteering at a charity of your choice and 5 days paid leave to provide or arrange care for a dependent with a long term care need annually
    • Smart working policy and flexible working culture, trusting our employees to do what works best for them, their role and the needs of the business

    Salary for this role will be tailored to the successful individual's location and experience. The expected compensation range for this position in the US is $140k - $190k per year plus discretionary annual bonus. You will be able to discuss your salary expectations should you be contacted about this role.

    Don't meet all the requirements? At Beazley we're committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't perfectly align with every requirement and qualification in the job specification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might just be the right candidate for this, or one of our other roles.

    Head of Technology - Beazley Digital

    Beazley Management Limited
    Birmingham, UK
    Full-Time

    Published on 17/01/2025

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