Manager, Strategic Initiatives - Life Insurance

Farmers Group Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Medical

Vision

HSA & FSA

Bonus Opportunity

Job summary

Farmers Group Inc. is seeking a Manager, Strategic Initiatives - Life Insurance to oversee the research, design, and execution of initiatives that help grow and optimize the Life Insurance business.

The role involves collaboration across functions to develop and operationalize solutions for our 8,000+ exclusive agents, customers, processes, and technology. The position requires advanced data analytics, lean thinking, change management skills, and the ability to mentor, coach, and train team

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Certifications in Six Sigma, Lean, and Agile methodologies preferred.
• 7+ years experience in transformation, business optimization, or related field with leadership of initiatives.
• Experience leading teams through successful project or initiative execution.

Responsibilities

• Analyze business processes, workflows, and systems to identify improvement opportunities.
• Lead research, development, and design of solutions to grow sales and drive efficiencies.
• Evaluate costs, benefits, risks, timelines and success probabilities for potential solutions.
• Advise leaders and provide guidance for optimization initiatives.
• Partner with executive leaders to gather requirements and ensure successful integration of solutions.
• Manage end-to-end execution of initiatives with risk management and progress reporting.
• Align initiatives with broader business objectives and monitor progress toward goals.
• Stay informed on industry trends and best practices to recommend innovative solutions.
• Lead planning to stay connected with customer feedback and competitive intelligence.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Data analytics

Change management

Stakeholder management

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree (preferred)

Six Sigma/Lean/Agile certifications (preferred)

Job description

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Manager, Strategic Initiatives - Life Insurance

We are Farmers – where ambition meets opportunity.

At Farmers, we’re not just known for unforgettable jingle – we’re a team with a passion for purpose and making a real difference in people’s lives. We deliver peace of mind when it matters most. Our results‑driven, high‑performance culture thrives on creativity, accountability and bold solutions. Here, growth isn’t just a goal – it’s a way of life for both the organization and every individual on our team. We tackle challenges head‑on, learn from every experience and measure our impact on the customers who trust us.

Join an award‑winning, equal opportunity employer, where you’ll find more than a job – you’ll find a supportive community. Enjoy competitive benefits, take part in meaningful volunteer projects, and help shape the future alongside talented colleagues across all backgrounds. At Farmers, helping others is at the heart of what we do.

Farmers believes in a culture of collaboration, creativity, and innovation, which thrives when we have the ability to work flexibly in a virtual setting as well as the opportunity to be together in person. Our hybrid work environment combines the best of both worlds with at least three (3) days in office and up to two (2) days virtual for employees who live within fifty (50) miles of a Farmers corporate office. Applicants beyond fifty (50) miles may still be considered.

Job Summary

This position oversees the research, design, and execution of initiatives of varying complexity to help grow and optimize the Life Insurance business at Farmers Insurance. The role collaborates cross‑functionally to develop and operationalize solutions focused on our 8,000+ exclusive agents, customers, processes, and technology. The position applies data analytics, human‑centered design, lean thinking, process improvement, and change management skills to maximize the impact of new initiatives and business optimization outcomes. Mentors, coaches, and trains less experienced team members and supervises direct reports who are individual contributors. Performs work independently without considerable oversight or direction.

Essential Job Functions

• Oversees the comprehensive analysis of business processes, workflows, and systems to pinpoint targeted areas for improvement and optimization.
• Leads the research, development, and design of innovative solutions to both grow salesanddrive efficiencies.
• Evaluates costs, benefits, risks, timelines and success probabilities when assessing potential solutions.
• Acts as an expert advisor to provide leadership or guidance for business optimization initiatives within the department or across the organization.
• Partners with executive leaders, senior leaders, and key business partners to gather requirements, understand needs, and ensure successful integration of business optimization solutions.
• Oversees end‑to‑end execution of initiatives of varying complexity including task evaluation, priority setting, risk management, progress communication to ensure timely and effective delivery.
• Aligns initiatives with broader business objectives.
• Ensures effective and timely progress toward accomplishment of short‑and long‑term initiatives, recommending corrective actions where deficiencies exist, or where progress is less than satisfactory.
• Applies advanced expertise and understanding of business drivers to identify potential issues or risks associated with proposed changes by analyzing and predicting their impact on existing processes, workflows, systems, and stakeholders.
• Establishes mitigation strategies to address them.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of new or updated processes through pilot programs, impact analyses, and metrics.
• Defines and refines strategies to improve business optimization functions within the department and across the organization.
• Conducts advanced data analyses and leverages them to craft compelling narratives around the results of initiatives.
• Influences or persuades stakeholders to adopt certain perspectives and secure their support and commitment.
• Translates data‑driven insights into detailed reports and delivers presentations to leadership and business partners at all levels.
• Oversees the preparation of presentations and reports to leadership by direct and indirect reports.
• Manages vendor relationships with existing vendors to ensure service level agreements are met, address vendor‑related inquiries, troubleshoot and resolve technical issues, support product changes, or contribute to roadmap development.
• Performs outreach to new vendors within prescribed authority limits.
• Utilizes robust decision‑making frameworks to evaluate new technology and vendor offerings against business requirements.
• Collaborates with stakeholders to determine the business impact of possible changes and new technologies.
• Understands the department vendor portfolio and may participate in discussions around vendor strategy and contract negotiation.
• Stays informed on industry trends, technology advancements, and best practices in business optimization to recommend and implement innovative solutions.
• Applies knowledge to align business priorities and maintain competitive offerings.
• Attends conferences, seminars, and demonstrations to enhance understanding of the competitive landscape.
• Leads planning to stay connected with customer feedback and competitive intelligence.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent required. Bachelors degree preferred.
• Certifications preferred in Six Sigma, Lean, and Agile methodologies.

Experience Requirements

• 7+ years of experience required in transformation, business optimization, or a related field, with experience leading initiatives and leading organizational change.
• Experience in project or program management is preferred.
• Experience leading teams, directly or indirectly, through successful project or initiative execution is required.

Physical Actions

Job is performed in‑person at a Farmers office or virtually at an approved alternative work location. Job may include work performed at field locations. The physical work environment is indoors and climate‑controlled with adequate lighting and ventilation. Normal and customary distractions include background noise produced by office equipment and chatter among people, as well as interruptions. Field work performed outdoors may include exposure to weather elements. Frequently sits or stands for prolonged periods of time, up to a full shift. Occasionally moves about the workplace including navigating stairs, ramps, and level or uneven surfaces. Occasionally moves, pushes, pulls, lifts, carries, and places objects or materials weighing up to 50 pounds without assistance. Frequently uses shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers to manipulate equipment, tools, and objects necessary to perform job duties. Frequently performs fine motor tasks such as typing, mousing, or writing, up to a full shift. Occasionally performs movements such as bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, twisting, and reaching overhead or below the knees. Possesses clear vision, with or without correction, to visually read and verify information. Relies on depth perception and peripheral vision to navigate the work environment visually by identifying barriers, changes in terrain and locating objects. Possesses adequate hearing, with or without correction, to communicate with co‑workers, respond promptly to auditory signals or alarms, and discern sounds essential for maintaining safety and productivity in the workplace. Jobs in this category may require regular travel between Farmers offices, alternative work locations, and/or field locations.

• Farmers offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, qualifications and location.
  o CA Only: $115,275 - $196,130
  o CO & ME:$108,375 - $169,070
  o HI/IL/MN/VT Only:$108,375 - $181,060
  o MA Only:$108,375 - $181,060
• o MD & VA:$108,375 - $181,060
  o DC/NJ/NY/OH Only: $108,375 - $196,130
  o Albany County, NY/Cleveland, OH: $115,275 - $169,070
  o WA Only: $108,375 - $205,750
• Bonus Opportunity (based on Company and Individual Performance)
• 401(k)
• Medical
• Vision
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts

Farmers will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in accordance with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance or other applicable law. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1033, Farmers is prohibited from employing any individual who has been convicted of any criminal felony involving dishonesty or a breach of trust without prior written consent from the state Department of Insurance.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Farmers is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in any employer/employee relations based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military and veteran's status, or any other basis protected by applicable discrimination laws.