Head of Technology

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.
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•  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:
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•  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;
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•  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 . click apply for full job details