Insurance & Annuities Product Manager

How will your role impact First Command?

First Command was founded in 1958 by a retired military officer who was enthusiastic about helping service members and their families strengthen their financial security.  The Financial Solutions Strategy team shares this passion for our mission and leads our financial product solutions and platforms offered through the coaching relationship with our clients. The Insurance & Annuities Product Manager will own the product strategy, development, management and delivery for all life, long term care & disability insurance products in addition to all annuities offered by First Command.

Through the development of a product and service suite that starts with client segment personas and Client experience (CX) data, the insurance and annuity product lifecycles will enable First Command to leverage business partners for product innovation and delivery. By leveraging industry and company knowledge, market trends, product and strategic partner ecosystems, the Insurance and Annuities Product Manager will serve as a comprehensive resource for financial advisors, and service associates leveraging these products to help our clients establish and implement their financial plan. 

What will you be doing?

• Leads the development and deployment of fixed, indexed, and variable annuity product offerings in alignment with the company’s financial coaching philosophy.
• Leads the development and deployment of whole, indexed universal, guaranteed universal and variable universal life insurance product offerings.
• Leads the development and deployment of long-term care and disability insurance product offerings.
• Identifies gaps and recommends new solutions and services to add to the First Command product portfolio that enables client achievement of financial goals and Advisors to better serve clients.
• Serves as the subject matter expert for our insurance and annuity products, services, and best practices.
• Provides day-to-day service, support, and reporting on all insurance and annuity products and services.
• Analyzes and monitors the industry, competitors, and advisor platform trends to continually improve First Command’s product offerings.
• Works with carriers and insurance marketing organizations for product procurement, support, and sales.
• Assists in negotiating pricing with product partners.
• Collaborates with internal stakeholders to support the product, including marketing, sales, legal, compliance, training, operations, etc.
• Engages with outside consultants, legal counsel, industry resources etc., to ensure alignment with best practices.
• Proactively engages the CX and UX research teams for feedback data from First Command clients and other groups regarding satisfaction and experience with products (where possible).
• Maintains strong knowledge of client and persona journeys across products and product experiences while owning a horizontal, enterprise view.
• Remains knowledgeable on industry, regulatory, competitive, and partner trends translating insights, risks, and opportunities for the company through proactive reporting and communications.
• Attends industry product events as needed for best practice and innovation trends in product markets.

What skills/qualifications do you need? 

Education

• Undergraduate degree in business, finance, economics or another related field required
• MBA or Masters Degree preferred

Work Experience

• At least 15 years in the financial services industry with experience in wealth management, complex financial planning, as well as deployment of new products and services.
• Demonstrated knowledge with Firelight, Ipipeline, FIDx, FIG or other leading insurance and annuity platforms and capabilities offered by broker-dealers and registered investment advisers.
• Experience with other financial products including brokerage, advisory and managed investments, stocks, mutual funds, bonds, ETFs, and related services is preferred.
• Experience developing product sales and service delivery training preferred.
• Exemplary communication skills, both verbal and written, and a demonstrated ability to present material to both technical and non-technical audiences (e.g., clients, Advisors, staff)
• Proven ability to think creatively and strategically as it relates to insurance products and services in order to assess and meet client needs and profitability goals.
• A Self-Starter/Team Player Attitude: You are excited by a fast-paced environment and the accountability that comes with owning important products and projects. 
• Comfortable with ambiguity in an evolving role in a growing organization. Ability to multi-task, change direction and prioritize is a must.
• Strategic thinking and critical reasoning skills
• Ability to develop strong relationships across all levels of First Command and with business partner representatives.

Certifications

•  Advanced professional qualifications preferred (CFA, CIMA, CFP, CLU, etc.)
• Series 7, 63 or 65; Series 24 or willingness to obtain within 6 months of hire.
• Life and Health License

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Understands the components of a product management ecosystem to define the platform, products and solutions, the value proposition, competitive positioning, and business cases that drive support for ongoing investments for growth.

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