Director Solution Management - Sales & Distribution

Position:  Director Solution Management – Sales & Distribution

Job Location:  New York, NY (Hybrid)  Virtual Considered 

The Role:

Regional Market is a growth engine for MetLife and a key growth driver for its Group Benefits business. The Group Operating Platform is a key enabler of achieving this growth objective.

The incumbent will be responsible for all aspects of Sales and Distribution strategy associated with the launch and scaling of the Group Operating Platform in the U100 market and U1000 markets. This includes aspects such as driving product evolution from a distribution lens, being a subject matter expert point of contact for internal sales teams and external distribution partners, owning and managing the go to market strategy in the U100 and U1000 markets and enabling the achievement of the ramp/sales plan.  

This high impact position will engage with members of the entire organization including, but not limited to Regional Market leadership, distribution, product and pricing, finance, underwriting, operations, and marketing and be equipped to interact in a credible manner as we drive daily change and growth.  The position will also interface with large programs that together are transforming how Regional Market delivers solutions to its customers. This position influences the shape of the strategic dialog amongst Regional Market and acts as a catalyst of change as we move to approach the business is a more agile and nimble locally driven way.

The role will work directly with Business Owners, Solution Management, Sales Leaders, Segment Leaders and functional partners across Underwriting, Servicing, Claims, Marketing, Sales Enablement and Cross Functional Service organizations to prepare the Group Operating Platform for launch and scaling in the U100 and U1000 markets and achieve its commercial objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Partner with Business Owners to identify pain points and opportunities throughout the Distribution partner and customer journey, helping creating epics and features across the Sales and Distribution landscape to scale the Group Operating Platform in the U100 and U1000 markets
• Partner with MetLife GA and Broker Relationship leaders to identify key market needs (voice of the customer, voice of the field) and collaborate with Solution and Product Management team to drive product evolution
• Partner with Regional business sales leadership to develop go to market strategy in the U1000 market
• Partner with Regional Business strategy leaders to identify synergies and align Group Operating Platform ramp plans to local distribution strategies in play in the U100 and U1000 market
• Partner with Business Owners, Solution Management team, Regional Business underwriting, strategy and sales leadership to identify optimal migration strategy for U100 in-force block
• Define go to market migration approach in collaboration with service leadership, operational readiness lead to transition U100 in-force block to Group Operating Platform in a manner that minimizes disruption to sales and distribution partners and customers
• Identify new growth opportunities for scaling the Group Operating Platform in the U1000 market; define strategic plan for growth across distribution partners – Brokers, Gas, TPEs and TPAs
• Partner closely with sales leaders and teams to enable the achievement of the Group Operating Platform ramp plan
• Ensure each Program Increment focuses on features with a maximum value, aligned with product strategy, roadmap, and key milestones
• Help refine, prioritize, and accept the work delivered across the ARTs within the solution train to ensure the outcomes meet the defined customer and business needs
• Design and develop a Go To Market approach for scaling in the U100 market across GAs and Brokers
• Partner with Operational Readiness leader and team to execute on the Go To Market approach
• Partner with Business Owners, Segment leaders and Finance leadership to manage and refine the ramp plan as needed in the U100 market
• Partner with Business Owners, Segment leaders and Finance leadership to design ramp plan for scaling the Group Operating Platform in the U1000 market
• Own and develop training collateral in partnership with Operational Readiness team and Sales Enablement function, conduct internal and external sales training
• Conduct office hours and interface with sales teams at MetLife to consistently stay on the pulse of the market, gather feedback and serve as a SME (Subject Matter Expert) connection for the MetLife Sales team.

Key Relationships:

• Reports to: VP, Group Operating Platform and Agile Product & Solution Mgmt
• Direct reports/team: 0
• Key Stakeholders: Sales, Regional Market Stakeholders

Candidate Qualifications:

Essential Business Experience and Technical Skills:

• 10 + years of experience in Insurance working with multiple functions
• Strong knowledge of Group Insurance distribution landscape including General Agents, Brokers, Third Party Entities and Third Party Administrators
• Excellent client / customer relationships skills
• Familiar and comfortable working in fast paced agile models with ability to manage in ambiguity
• Ability to develop strategic & trusted partnerships with internal & external partners
• Ability to work in fast paced environment
• Strong leadership skills and ability to motivate teams
• Strong Project Management skills
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Strong collaboration skills, ability to partner across the enterprise.
• Excellent written and oral presentation & communication skills
• Strong analytic skills and ability to think strategically
• Undergraduate degree required, MBA or other advanced degree preferred

Leadership Competencies:

Ability to seek and use data to develop analytical solutions – Strategic and Analytical thinking

Driven and motivated by our customers and the business to focus on the right outcomes – Deliver Results

Take ownership, influence at all levels, access all stakeholders equally (don’t ask for permission) – Seize Opportunity

Communicate factually. Navigate conversations to align on a set of data inputs that drive identification and prioritization of work and provide the clarity needed to accomplish it – Deliver what matters.

Maintain stability throughout the iterations and add appropriate feedback as needed – Enable Solutions

Able to make decisions on information that is available at that time. Be comfortable with progressive elaboration and discovery (Progress over perfection) – Manages Ambiguity

Able to identify, access and connect among key stakeholders and experts - Seek Diverse Perspectives

Salary Grade

13M

Contact Information

Bernadette Jones -bernadette.jones@metlife.com

At MetLife, we’re leading the global transformation of an industry we’ve long defined. United in purpose, diverse in perspective, we’re dedicated to making a difference in the lives of our customers. 

The role is eligible for incentive compensation under the MetLife Annual Variable Incentive Plan ("AVIP").  Your eligibility for and award of incentives are governed by the terms of the plan. MetLife offers a comprehensive benefits program that includes Medical, Dental, Life, Vision plus Retirement benefits and Paid Time Off.

MetLife:

MetLife, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world’s leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help its individual and institutional customers navigate their changing world. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 countries and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

We are one of the largest institutional investors in the U.S. with $642.4 billion of total assets under management as of March 31, 2021. We are ranked #46 on the Fortune 500 list for 2021. In 2020, we were named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) for the fifth year in a row. DJSI is a global index to track the leading sustainability-driven companies. We are proud to have been named to Fortune magazine’s 2021 list of the “World’s Most Admired Companies.”      

MetLife is committed to building a purpose-driven and inclusive culture that energizes our people. Our employees work every day to help build a more confident future for people around the world.  Visit us at www.metlife.com to learn more about our brand, history, and values. 

We want to make it simple for all interested and qualified candidates to apply for employment opportunities with MetLife.  If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to accommodations@metlife.com or call our Employee Relations Department at 1-877-843-3711.

MetLife is a proud Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer dedicated to attracting, retaining, and developing a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment at MetLife without regards to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, national origin, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status, uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

MetLife maintains a drug-free workplace.

MetLife:

MetLife, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world’s leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help its individual and institutional customers navigate their changing world. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 countries and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

We are one of the largest institutional investors in the U.S. with $642.4 billion of total assets under management as of March 31, 2021. We are ranked #46 on the Fortune 500 list for 2021. In 2020, we were named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) for the fifth year in a row. DJSI is a global index to track the leading sustainability-driven companies. We are proud to have been named to Fortune magazine’s 2021 list of the “World’s Most Admired Companies.”      

MetLife is committed to building a purpose-driven and inclusive culture that energizes our people. Our employees work every day to help build a more confident future for people around the world.

The wage range for applicants for this position is 121K-161K. This role is also eligible for annual short-term incentive compensation. MetLife offers a comprehensive benefits program, including healthcare benefits, life insurance, retirement benefits, parental leave, legal plan services and paid time off. All incentives and benefits are subject to the applicable plan terms.

We want to make it simple for all interested and qualified candidates to apply for employment opportunities with MetLife.  For further information about how to request a reasonable accommodation, please click on the Disability Accommodations link below.

MetLife is a proud Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer dedicated to attracting, retaining, and developing a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment at MetLife without regards to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, national origin, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status, uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

MetLife maintains a drug-free workplace.