Lead Associate Product Management, Statutory Disability & Paid Family and Medica
WFA Digital Insight
The demand for skilled product managers in the insurance industry has grown significantly, with a 25% increase in job postings over the past year. As the job market continues to shift towards remote work, companies like Protective are looking for talented professionals to lead their product development efforts. With the rising importance of paid family leave and disability programs, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on people's lives. Candidates should be prepared to showcase their strategic thinking, product management expertise, and ability to navigate complex regulatory environments. Before applying, it's essential to understand the company's commitment to protecting its customers and the role's potential for growth and expansion in the PFML market.
Job Description
About the Role
The Lead Associate Product Management role is a critical position within Protective's Employee Benefits business, responsible for the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of statutory disability and paid family leave programs. This role requires a strategic and execution-driven individual who can navigate complex regulatory environments and ensure compliance with state and federal laws. The successful candidate will be part of a cross-functional team, collaborating with various stakeholders to drive business growth and expansion in the PFML market.As a product management leader, you will oversee the full product lifecycle, from market entry and expansion to product enhancements and ongoing optimization. Your expertise in product development, launch, and maintenance will be essential in driving the company's growth and success. You will also be responsible for leading the development and execution of product filings, ensuring timely and accurate implementation of new state programs and legislative changes.
The company's commitment to protecting its customers is evident in its mission to provide peace of mind and financial security to individuals and families. As a Lead Associate Product Management, you will play a critical role in advancing this mission by developing and implementing products that meet the evolving needs of customers.
What You Will Do
- Lead the end-to-end product lifecycle for statutory disability and PFML products, including market entry and expansion, product enhancements, renewals, and ongoing optimization.
- Ensure timely and accurate implementation of new state programs and legislative changes, translating regulatory requirements into actionable product, operational, and system strategies.
- Lead the development and execution of product filings, including end-to-end ownership of filing strategy and coordination with Legal and Compliance.
- Oversee the development, maintenance, and governance of product specifications, supporting tools, and related documentation, aligned with EB methodologies and practices.
- Drive product design, standardization, and scalability, ensuring consistency across states while maintaining flexibility to meet regulatory requirements.
- Lead product performance monitoring and market intelligence efforts, including profitability, growth, competitive positioning, and survey-driven insights to benchmark EB against competitors.
- Partner with internal and external research teams, Marketing, and Sales to inform product positioning, value proposition development, go-to-market strategy, and sales enablement.
- Partner with Actuarial and Underwriting to support pricing strategy, rate development, forecasting, and loss ratio performance.
- Lead cross-functional alignment across Legal, Marketing, Claims, Operations, Underwriting, Actuarial, Finance, Technology, and Sales across all stages of the product development process.
- Drive product governance routines and decision frameworks to enable effective prioritization and execution.
- Serve as the central product authority and subject matter expert for statutory disability and PFML, ensuring alignment on strategy, regulatory interpretation, risk evaluation, and execution across stakeholders.
- Oversee operational readiness and execution for product launches and enhancements, including systems, processes, documentation, and cross-functional training.
What We Are Looking For
- Strong people skills and proven ability to lead in a highly matrixed, cross-functional environment, influencing senior stakeholders and driving execution.
- Strategic mindset and strong judgment, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, define clear priorities, and drive decisions through execution.
- Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to translate complexity into clear decisions and actionable plans.
- Strong product and project management capabilities, with advanced knowledge of agile methodologies and project management tools.
- Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively to develop solutions and achieve objectives under limited oversight.
- Executive-level communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas and strategies to various stakeholders.
- Advanced knowledge of regulatory environments and compliance requirements for statutory disability and PFML programs.
- Experience with product development, launch, and maintenance, with a focus on customer-centric design and delivery.
- Strong business acumen, with the ability to drive business growth and expansion through strategic product development and management.
Nice to Have
- Experience with data analysis and interpretation, with the ability to inform product development and launch decisions.
- Knowledge of industry trends and developments in the insurance and benefits industry.
- Certification in product management or a related field, such as Agile or Scrum.
- Experience with cross-functional team leadership and collaboration.
- Strong networking skills, with the ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Benefits and Perks
- Competitive salary and bonus structure, with opportunities for growth and advancement.
- Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
- Paid time off and holidays, with flexible work arrangements and remote work options.
- Professional development opportunities, including training, mentorship, and education assistance.
- Access to cutting-edge technology and tools, with opportunities for innovation and experimentation.
- Collaborative and dynamic work environment, with a team of experienced professionals.
- Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on people's lives through the development and delivery of critical insurance products.
How to Stand Out
- Develop a strong understanding of regulatory environments and compliance requirements for statutory disability and PFML programs to stand out as a candidate.
- Showcase your ability to lead cross-functional teams and collaborate with stakeholders to drive business growth and expansion.
- Highlight your experience with product development, launch, and maintenance, with a focus on customer-centric design and delivery.
- Be prepared to discuss your strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to translate complexity into clear decisions and actionable plans.
- Emphasize your ability to work autonomously and collaboratively, with limited oversight, to develop solutions and achieve objectives.
- Consider developing a portfolio of your work, including examples of product development and launch, to demonstrate your skills and experience to potential employers.
- Prepare to negotiate your salary and benefits package, with a focus on competitive industry standards and opportunities for growth and advancement.
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