IT Applications Development Head

MAAGAP INSURANCE INC.; Makati; On-site; PHP 1,500,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance company in Metro Manila is seeking an Applications Development Head to oversee the design, development, and maintenance of business-critical applications. This role involves leading a team, defining architecture standards, and ensuring compliance with regulations. The ideal candidate has strong IT leadership experience and a background in insurance technology. The position offers a collaborative environment focused on enhancing operational efficiency and user experience.

Qualifications

• 8–12 years of IT experience, with at least 5 years in application development leadership.
• Strong background in insurance technology (policy administration, claims, portals).
• Practical experience in modern programming languages and databases.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Applications Development team and define the application architecture.
• Oversee the development and customization of core insurance applications.
• Manage vendor relationships and evaluate third-party solutions.

Skills

Leadership

Application Development

Stakeholder Management

Analytical Thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Java

JavaScript

SQL

Guidewire

Job description

Role Summary

The Applications Development Head/Manager/Lead will oversee the design, development, implementation and maintenance of business-critical applications for a non-life insurance company. This role ensures that application systems, regardless of technical stack, run smoothly.

The incumbent will lead a team of developers and partner with business stakeholders (Underwriting, Claims, Finance, Sales & Distribution) to ensure that technology solutions support operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and continually enhance the end-user/customer experience.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the Applications Development team (developers and QA/testers).

• Define the application architecture, development standards, and best practices.

• Develop and align a multi-year IT application roadmap to meet business objectives.

• Manage vendor relationships and evaluate third-party solutions (core insurance systems, portals, integrations, etc).

Application Development & Management

• Oversee development and customization of core insurance applications (policy administration and underwriting, claims and accounting).

• Ensure timely delivery of high-quality application enhancements and upgrades.

• Ensure proper documentation, version control, and adherence to SDLC.

• Ensure applications meet regulatory requirements (e.g. IC, BIR and other statutory bodies).

• Maintain high standards of data security, privacy, and audit compliance.

• Oversee disaster recovery and business continuity for applications.

Team & Stakeholder Management

• Mentor and develop IT staff to build strong technical and domain expertise in insurance.

• Partner with Underwriting, Claims, Finance, and Sales & Distribution teams to understand requirements.

• Communicate progress, risks, and issues effectively to senior management.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).

• 8–12 years of IT experience, with at least 5 years in application development leadership.

• Strong background in insurance technology (policy administration, claims, portals).

Technical Skills

• Practical experience in modern programming languages (Java, JavaScript, SQL, etc.), databases, front-end and back-end development.

• Familiarity with insurance core systems (e.g., Guidewire, Premia, PolisyAsia, or local/regional solutions).

• Experience with Agile/Scrum and DevOps practices.

Soft Skills

• Strong leadership and people management skills.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.

• Analytical thinking and problem-solving with a business-oriented mindset.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• On-time and within-budget delivery of IT projects.

• System uptime and reliability of applications.

• User satisfaction from business departments.

• Reduction in manual processes and operational inefficiencies.