VP, Middle Market Strategy and Business Execution Lead

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CNA seeks to offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees that helps them - and their family members - achieve their physical, financial, emotional and social wellbeing goals.
For a detailed look at CNA's benefits, check out our Candidate Guide .
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Job Summary
This Officer position serves as a trusted strategic partner and advisor to the President Global Middle Market and the Middle Market executive leadership team. Responsible for organizing and driving strategic planning for CNA's Middle Market Business Unit and for overseeing Middle Market strategic and operational business priorities from development through timely and successful execution.
This position will collaborate with executive stakeholders to align support around the strategic direction of the Middle Market business unit, and will be responsible to ensure leaders and teams are well-informed of their roles in each initiative and held accountable to translate plans into desired action. This role will ensure plans are defined and communicated, facilitating collaboration across teams and monitoring progress with data-driven analysis and reporting.
Excellent communication and negotiation skills are required to influence at various levels across stakeholder groups. Proven executive presentation and communication skills are required to command the attention and respect of the audience, including C-suite executives, and to inform, align and guide them at the appropriate level of detail.
This is a significant role in terms of scope, responsibility, and influence - working with a diverse and executive network, representing the President Global Middle Market and their executive leadership team with every interaction. Consulting experience in a large commercial organization, strategic planning experience, and ability to execute at a rapid pace with a focus on collaboration, operational improvement and innovation are critical to success in this role.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Performs a combination of duties in accordance with departmental guidelines:
1. Serve as the strategic advisor to the President Global Middle Market and the Middle Market executive leadership team to shape the business unit strategy and strategic and operational initiatives to drive organizational transformation.
2. Attend meetings and participate in projects with or on behalf of the President Global Middle Market or their executive leadership team representing Middle Market to Underwriting and BU stakeholders, leaders and teams.
3. Manages the portfolio of Middle Market strategic and operational initiatives. The specific role on each project varies based on needs, i.e., Lead, Guide, or Track.
4. Ensures implementation of underwriting strategies and best practices with substantial impact on the short-term success and long-term viability of Middle Market.
5. Ensures the achievement of continued profitability, growth and/or operational efficiencies for Middle Market through assessment of risk tolerance, market appetite and emerging risk issues.
6. Acts as a liaison, when necessary, with the Global Property and Global Casualty Underwriting Teams.
7. Monitors the market landscape, keeping a pulse on key trends impacting the Middle Market segment including competitor/distributor actions, loss trends, macroeconomic changes, etc.
8. Translates key trends into actionable insights for Middle Market Leadership. Advances a data-driven culture within Middle Market, translating data into actionable insights.
9. Maintains direct connectivity with the Portfolio Management and Finance teams. Engages directly with the enterprise Strategy & Transformation Office (STO) to ensure connectivity and alignment between global CNA strategies and Middle Market.
10. Collaborates with the Middle Market leadership team and stakeholders to develop executive-level presentations to create consistent CNA Middle Market brand recognition and visibility.
11. Leads executive-level communication with a variety of internal audiences with a focus on improving employee engagement. Develops critical materials to support strategic initiatives, Middle Market Town Halls, and other ad hoc leadership meetings.
12. Collaborates with business partners in Legal, Risk Control, Actuarial, Claim, Operations and Compliance to drive projects and address issues and opportunities across the business unit.
13. Acts as the liaison with Information Technology to ensure systems and applications meet the demands of Middle Market. May engage external stakeholders, including brokers and customers, where necessary to advance critical initiatives. May manage staff in area of responsibility with full management accountability and emphasis on talent management and succession planning in accordance with strategic direction.
May perform additional duties as assigned.
Reporting Relationship
Typically SVP and above
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
1. In-depth technical knowledge of underwriting theories and practices within the commercial insurance field, including key players, products and services.
2. Exceptional communication, both written and verbal, and strong interpersonal skills for collaboration with executives, leaders, stakeholders and peers.
3. Ability to effectively navigate matrixed organizational structures.
4. A good listener with ability to adapt quickly to change and exhibit a high degree of flexibility.
5. Leadership and management skills, demonstrating ethical behaviors, integrity, professionalism and diverse thinking. Absolute trustworthiness, confidentiality and discretion.
6. Experience in external and/or internal strategy & operational consulting roles within commercial insurance.
7. Excellent organizational skills including the ability to prioritize and coordinate multiple projects and initiatives, as well as anticipate business needs.
8. High degree of comfort moving at a fast-pace while balancing multiple priorities with urgency and agility.
9. Critical thinking, problem-solving and analytical abilities gained through working experience on large scale strategic initiatives.
10. Ability to lead and make decisions using sound judgment during times of uncertainty and ambiguity.
11. Ability to drive results by identifying, and resolving problems within scope of responsibility.
12. Ability to be a change agent and adapt skills and competencies to dynamic industries continually changing and/or modifying business models.
13. Expert competency in Excel and PowerPoint with the ability to translate complex analyses into clear storylines with the highest degree of professionalism and quality.
14. Knowledge of SQL, Microsoft Power BI, Looker, and other data analytics tools.
Education & Experience
1. Bachelor's degree required, MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred.
2. Typically a minimum of 12 years related work experience, with 7 years management experience.
3. Successful track record of external and/or internal strategy and operational consulting roles within commercial insurance.
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CNA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact [email protected] .