Manager Application Development, Policy Administration

Overview

The Manager, Application Development – Policy Administration is responsible for leading the delivery, stability, and evolution of a mission‑critical COBOL-based policy administration platform that supports core business operations. The role provides people leadership to a team of application developers, ensures reliable and secure application performance, and partners closely with business and technology stakeholders to deliver high‑quality solutions in a regulated insurance environment.

Position is located in Des Moines and will work on an onsite schedule.

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of COBOL application developers, fostering a culture of accountability, quality, and continuous improvement
• Oversee the design, development, testing, and deployment of enhancements to the policy administration platform and related systems
• Own production support for the platform, including incident management, root cause analysis, and preventive remediation
• Ensure application stability, availability, performance, and security in alignment with business and regulatory requirements
• Collaborate with business partners to translate functional, regulatory, and operational requirements into technical solutions
• Manage project timelines, scope, risks, dependencies, and delivery commitments
• Guide enhancement of delivery, defect remediation, and technical debt reduction
• Enforce coding standards, documentation practices, change control, and version management
• Partner with architecture and enterprise technology teams on modernization, integration, and platform evolution initiatives
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, audit requirements, and regulatory standards
• Manage external vendors and consultants
• Track, analyze, and report on delivery and operational metrics such as throughput, quality, defects, and production incidents
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Direct reports: approximately six (6) to ten (10) application developers, including a mix of employees and consultants. Responsibilities include performance management, career development, hiring and onboarding, workforce planning, and succession planning.

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, information systems, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Six (6) or more years of progressively responsible technology experience, including demonstrated technical or people leadership
• Experience supporting and enhancing mission‑critical legacy application platforms
• Experience modernizing policy administration or core systems while maintaining business continuity
• Experience in insurance, financial services, or other regulated environments preferred

None required for this position.

Leadership & Execution:

• Proven ability to build, mentor, and lead high‑performing technical teams
• Strong execution and delivery management capabilities in complex environments
• Effective risk assessment, escalation judgment, and decision‑making skills
• Experience with a hybrid staffing model of employees, offshore, and onshore staff

Technical & Delivery:

• Solid understanding of the software development lifecycle, QA practices, and release management
• Ability to architect solutions on a multi‑tenant platform
• Knowledge of COBOL application development in an enterprise environment
• Working knowledge of modern delivery practices (Agile, hybrid, or regulated SDLC models)

Business & Communication:

• Ability to operate effectively in fast‑paced, regulated environments
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to executive and non‑technical audiences
• Strong organizational, planning, and prioritization skills
• Experience with implementation of annuity products

• COBOL
• .NET (working knowledge)
• SQL