Job Summary:
The Senior Product Consultant is responsible for oversight on multiple Disability & Absence Product initiatives. In this position, the associate must possess a thorough knowledge of Disability Products, including STD, LTD, ADA, FMLA and or PFL, and understands the product features and the administrative capabilities necessary to drive results.
In addition, the Senior Product Consultant will work with Small, Regional & National market leaders to monitor key metrics, identify strategies that support the overall disability product success while maintaining cost effective portfolio management practices. Understanding the impact of actions on financial performance of the disability lines will help optimize growth and financial performance.
The Disability Product Development team supports the strategic objectives of the Group Benefits Senior Leadership team. This team is responsible for ensuring that MetLife sales associates have the products to meet closing ratio, earnings, and persistency targets.
Principal Responsibilities:
- Research, design and develop new products and/or enhance features of existing products and services to provide a competitive advantage for our Market Segments.
- Counsel, influence and support Group Benefit partners on initiatives proposed to drive long term profitable growth.
- Monitor, influence and support implementation of controls to comply with emerging regulatory themes and environmental risks.
- Achieve revenue and earnings objectives for Group Benefits.
- Management oversight of several large, strategic Disability Product initiatives. Responsible for partnering with initiative owners, solution teams, and key stakeholders to ensure that each project is delivered on time and on budget.
- In addition to using externally available market research data, may commission original market research internally within the organization.
- Represent Disability as a Subject Matter Expert for supported disability and absence products. This includes providing functional and technical support to various partner areas including Market Strategy Leads, Product Directors, Finance, Sales and Service, Contracts, Claims, Marketing, IT and Underwriting units.
- Provide support as it relates to strategy, planning and periodic business reviews. Significant Contributor to the Group Benefits planning process to ensure the timely delivery of successful products designed to meet the market needs of the field (annual planning processes for US/Group Benefits)
- Coordination with Marketing for:
- development and update of 1st and 2nd sale materials
- creation of marketing strategy and materials for new products and services
- input for Cross Product materials and initiatives
Knowledge/Skills/Competencies Required:
- Expertise in disability and absence products and services, including STD/LTD, FMLA and similar leave laws and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Ability to manage individuals on a project basis, allocate resources, and monitor performance
- Excellent project management skills to oversee a large array of different initiatives
- Expertise in the product development process, product management process, marketing process, service process, and sales process.
- Ability to represent MetLife Disability as a subject matter expert to MetLife employees of varying positions (e.g. sales, service, marketing, IT, etc.) and levels (e.g. associate, manager, officer).
- Knowledge and experience with MetLife internal process and systems.
- Experience in creating and maintaining cross-functional partner relationships
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work independently and/or in a team environment
- Proven ability to present findings and knowledge to senior management
- Creative thinker with strong organizational skills
- Strong analytical skills
- Excel, Word, SharePoint, and PowerPoint knowledge a must
- Able to operate efficiently in a fast-paced sales environment
Supervisory Responsibilities: Act as project lead for Disability led initiatives
Desired:
Bachelor's degree in related field.
Project Management Experience
8+ years of relevant business experience.
Percent Travel Required: 5%
