Senior Technical Product Owner

John Hancock continues to transform as a digital, customer-centric organization. As a part of this ongoing transformation, we are building digital solutions and using vendor capabilities based on the newest technologies.

The customer is the focus of everything we do, and millions of customers rely on our products daily. We believe in the value of empowering our team members with the resources to solve critical problems for the future of the business, which is why we need you. 

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Technical Product Owner to join our team and lead the delivery and ongoing optimization of our new business ingestion solutions (eApp, Quoting, Illustration, application requirements) for life insurance applications! You will be the technical champion for integrating new business seamlessly into our core systems, navigating the ever-evolving landscape of data ingestion methods and vendor partnerships, with a solid focus on electronic application (eApp) integration.

Office location: Boston - USA or Toronto - Canada

Work arrangement: Hybrid - 3 days from Office and 2 days from home. Remote working option is not available.

Position Responsibilities:

• Accountable for all technical delivery on the platform enabling technology and business objectives as well as the ownership of vendor relationships including understanding and influencing the vendor roadmaps. This role will ensure our internal teams use any external platforms and products effectively to streamline workflows and achieve business goals.

• Lead the technical evaluation and implementation of eApp integrations:

• Develop a process for efficient ingestion of life insurance applications submitted electronically through agent portals, third-party distributors, or directly by consumers

• Partner with eApp vendors to ensure seamless data transfer and mapping between eApp formats and our internal systems

• Implement robust validation rules within the ingestion system to ensure data accuracy and completeness of eApps before processing.

• Lead technical delivery including configuration, and integration of vendor products for eApplication, Quoting, Illustration to meet our specific business and technology needs.

• Coordinating with vendors to integrate their products with our internal solutions and negotiating scope of work for given initiatives

• Partner with various internal functions (e.g., Technology, Underwriting, Sales, Operations) to understand their workflows and tailor vendor platform for optimal use

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with vendor support teams for timely resolution of technical issues

• Provide ongoing training and support to end-users on vendor platform functionalities and standard methodologies.

• Monitor system performance, identify optimization opportunities, and ensure seamless operation.

• Know the latest on vendor platform roadmap and features and evaluate their potential benefit to the organization.

• Develop and maintain user documentation for internal and vendor platform processes.

• Lead the development and execution of a long-term platform strategy aligned with technology architectural and business goals.

• Ability to simplify/reduce/negotiate work needed with vendors and manage external partner’s tracking and backlog (technical analysis of backlog)

• Participate in the review and reconciliation of vendor billing, hours used and challenge billable items to effectively manage vendor capacity and spend

• Builds relationships with external technology vendors, ensuring effective collaboration, delivery of services, and alignment to contractual agreements. Manages vendor performance, negotiates contracts, and optimizes vendor relationships to support the organization’s technology goals

• Brings an innovative approach to improving and elevating technology solutions and enablers

What we are looking for

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

• 8+ years IT industry experience

• 5+ years of experience in a technical lead, technical product owner, platform owner or similar role working with external vendors and vendor solutions that enable business

• Demonstrable experience with life insurance eApplication, Quoting, Illustration vendor platforms / products implementation, configuration, and administration

• Solid understanding of life insurance industry workflows and processes, particularly relevant to the products being used

• Excellent communication, collaboration, negotiation and interpersonal skills

• Ability to translate business needs into effective solutions

• Experience with program and agile delivery methodologies

• Proficiency in troubleshooting and problem-solving

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with ACORD Standard

• Experience with Azure, AKS on Azure

• Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure)

• Experience with DevOps principles and tools

• Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git)

• Experience with project tracking software (e.g Jira)

When you join our team:

• We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want.

• We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words.

• As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see.

#LI-Hybrid

#LI-JH

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html.

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact [email protected].

Referenced Salary Location

Salary range is expected to be between

If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact [email protected] for the salary range for your location. The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance.

Manulife/John Hancock offers eligible employees a wide array of customizable benefits, including health, dental, mental health, vision, short- and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance coverage, adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits, and employee/family assistance plans. We also offer eligible employees various retirement savings plans (including pension/401(k) savings plans and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources. Our generous paid time off program in the U.S. includes up to 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 150 hours of vacation, and 40 hours of sick time (or more where required by law) each year, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence.

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