SVP, Operating Strategy, Transformation & Process Optimization

SVP, Operating Strategy, Transformation & Process Optimization

Life Insurance | Underwriting & New Business Operations

Hybrid (Tues–Thurs onsite) – McKinney, TX

Reports to: Executive Vice President

Full Relocation assistance is available

Compensation

• Year 1: $220K–$230K base + bonus + equity ($300K+ total)
• Year 2+: $400K–$425K+ total compensation with structured ramp

We’re looking for a senior operator who has led underwriting or new business transformation inside a large life insurance carrier, with experience scaling operations, modernizing processes, and driving measurable efficiency gains.

About the Role

A Fortune 600 life insurance carrier is building a net-new SVP leadership role to drive enterprise-wide transformation across underwriting, new business, and sales administration.

This is a high-impact mandate to modernize a multi-entity insurance platform—standardizing operations, accelerating underwriting, and enabling scalable growth through automation, AI, and operating model redesign.

You’ll play a pivotal role in shaping how a large, established insurer evolves to a faster, more digital, and more efficient operating model—without proportional headcount growth.

Why This Role Stands Out

• Enterprise-scale scope across multiple business units and product lines
• Direct ownership of strategy → execution → measurable outcomes
• Significant investment in AI, automation, and process modernization
• High visibility with executive and board-level stakeholders
• Opportunity to redefine underwriting and new business operations at scale

What You’ll Own

Enterprise Transformation & Process Standardization

• Drive end-to-end process harmonization across underwriting, new business, and sales administration
• Eliminate silos across business units, particularly in post-acquisition environments
• Establish consistent, scalable operational frameworks

Operating Model Strategy

• Design and execute future-state operating models (1-, 3-, and 5-year horizons)
• Enable growth from $1B to $1.5B+ in issued premium through operational efficiency

Underwriting Modernization & Digital Enablement

• Lead initiatives including:
• Automated underwriting / rules engines
• Straight-through processing (STP)
• AI-assisted decisioning and case management
• RPA and workflow orchestration
• Advance toward real-time underwriting and instant policy issuance

Business & Technology Alignment

• Align operations with:
• Policy administration systems (legacy + modern platforms)
• Mainframe environments and digital layers
• Partner with IT, data/AI, actuarial, finance, and distribution leadership

Transformation Portfolio Leadership

• Own full lifecycle: business case → funding → execution → ROI realization
• Establish strong governance, KPI tracking, and accountability

Change Leadership

• Drive adoption across large, distributed teams
• Lead sustainable operational and cultural transformation

Who You Are

Profile

• Current or recent SVP / VP / Sr. AVP within a life insurance carrier environment
• Deep experience in:
• Underwriting operations
• New business / acquisition operations
• Policy issuance / case management

What Sets You Apart

• Led enterprise-wide transformation initiatives inside a carrier
• Experience standardizing processes across multiple business units or entities
• Track record implementing:
• Automation / AI
• Operating model redesign
• Process optimization at scale
• Strong ability to operate across business and technology functions

Additional Background

• Consulting experience (e.g., large system integrators) is a plus if paired with hands-on operating leadership
• Experience in complex, multi-system environments (legacy + modern) highly valued

What You Bring

• 10–20+ years in life insurance operations
• Proven success modernizing:
• Underwriting workflows
• New business pipelines
• Sales administration functions
• Strong understanding of:
• Policy admin platforms
• Underwriting tools and rules engines
• Digital and agent-based distribution models
• Executive presence with ability to influence senior leadership and board stakeholders

Culture & Work Model

• Hybrid (Tues–Thurs in office)
• Collaborative, execution-focused leadership team
• Strong emphasis on shared outcomes and enterprise impact

Benefits

• Competitive executive compensation + equity participation
• 401(k) matching
• Medical, dental, vision
• HSA / FSA
• PTO + holidays
• Tuition reimbursement + professional development
• Relocation assistance (if applicable)