Job Summary
CNA is one of the largest U.S. commercial property and casualty insurance companies. Backed by more than 120 years of experience, CNA provides a broad range of standard and specialized insurance products and services for businesses and professionals in the U.S., Canada and Europe. Our focus on providing solutions and inspiring trust differentiates us from other companies and supports long-term relationships. Joining CNA offers an opportunity to be part of an evolving organization where employees are able to make an impact and drive change. Be a part of the evolution.
This is an Individual contributor role providing highest level of leadership in systems analysis, system design, application development, and/or integration expertise on the most complex systems applications to support business needs. This position has an understanding of technical systems from an end-to-end perspective, understanding how to develop automated solutions to business problems and/or how to maintain centrally developed or integrated systems. The focus of this position will be designing or developing business applications and/or designing or developing alternative solutions.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Performs a combination of duties in accordance with departmental guidelines:

• Acts as the principal designer for major high risk high complexity systems and their subsystems utilizing a thorough understanding of available technology tools and existing designs. Includes leading the integration of vendor applications and/or consulting resources into CNA applications and/or resources.
• Provides comprehensive technical consultation to business unit and IT management and staff at the highest level of complexity on all phases of application programming and processes for diverse development platforms and computing environments. Includes performance engineering functionality testing production implementation application recovery and maintenance application stability defect resolution and meeting service level agreements.
• Acts as expert technical resource to develop and mentor staff in all phases of the development and implementation process. Participates in instructing directing and checking the design or applications work of others. Leads high risk projects.
• Acts as liaison between clients vendors consulting resources and applications area. Analyzes problems regarding detailed requirements and capabilities and works cross organizationally to resolve issues and solve problems.
• Researches and evaluates new and/or alternative solutions and recommends the most efficient and cost effective application programming solution consistent with strategic direction. Also anticipates changes to determine development tools processes and implements those decisions.
• Assists with the identification and selection of information technologies vendors and/or consulting resources which assist the functional business units in meeting their strategic objectives. Includes assisting with relationship management contract negotiations and ensuring adherence to requirements.
• Works closely with other IT areas to contribute to the overall strategic direction of the applications portfolio. Includes partnering with Architecture to assist with the overall technology direction of CNA.
• May code new or modified programs reuse existing code through the use of program development software alternatives and/or integrates purchased solutions.

Reporting Relationship

• Typically Director or above.

Skills Knowledge and Abilities

• Expert technical knowledge of the system development life cycle and system and application program
• development technological alternatives.
• Senior level knowledge of client area's functions and systems.
• Must be competent to work at the highest technical level of all phases of application
• Program/system design and implementation and have excellent analytical and problem solving skills.
• Excellent project management skills and ability to organize and plan effectively to meet both short and long range project goals.
• Solid knowledge of interface design and user centered design method.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with peers IT , management, staff, and internal business partners/clients.
• Advanced computer skills including Microsoft Office suite and other business related software systems or languages including but not limited to Mainframe DB2 UNIX Oracle Websphere J2EE Java Peoplesoft Business Objects and ETL. Other technologies will apply dependent on business area supported.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree, Master's preferred, in Computer Science or related discipline (or equivalent work experience).
• Typically a minimum of 9 years of solid, diverse work experience in IT with a minimum of 6 years of experience in application program development.
• Applicable certifications preferred.