Manager - Pricing & Product Development

We are seeking a strategic and commercially minded Manager – Pricing & Product Development to join our team. In this role, you will drive product innovation, oversee pricing strategies, and identify opportunities to strengthen our product offerings and market competitiveness. If you're passionate about innovation, market insights, and delivering solutions that drive business growth, we'd love to hear from you.

About Guardian Life of the Caribbean Limited
Guardian Life of the Caribbean Limited leads the charge in Life, Health, and Pension solutions throughout the Caribbean Region. Our unwavering mission is to cultivate financial freedom for our stakeholders through transformative interactions, fuelled by the relentless power of technology. With innovation at our core, we strive to redefine the landscape of financial services, empowering individuals, and businesses alike to pursue their dreams with confidence and security.

JOB OVERVIEW:
The Manager - Pricing & Product Development works with the Executive and Senior Manager to develop and implement valuations objectives and strategies. He/ she is responsible for reviewing and supervising the work of the analysts and senior actuarial analysts in the delivery of pricing projects and providing guidance on special projects within stipulated time frames. He/ she must also work with and provide support to the Salesforce to help the company achieve its targets and objectives

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Pricing:
• Review of actuarial analysts’ and senior actuarial analysts’ work including but not limited to: pricing model updates, product development, pricing results, special projects, product profitability, commissions analyses, and special/ large/ bulk quotations.
• Co-ordinate testing of illustration and administration system updates for new and amended products and systems.
• Alert and advise on arising pricing issues, including product design, inherent risks, strategic value, and monitoring of product profitability.
• Preparation of product pricing reports and other strategic reports.
• Complete rate filings, rate indications, regulatory filings, responses to regulatory pricing inquiries, ad-hoc pricing information requests, and assist with competitor intelligence.
• Develop appropriate analyses to address the needs of users of pricing services.
• Drive improvements in the effectiveness and efficiency of the product development process by staying abreast of industry best-practice and regulatory rules.
• Strategic: Work with the Executive/Senior Manager to develop objectives and strategies for the department, plan resource allocation and budget.

2. Operational:
• Sit on the Product Development Committee (PDC) where he/ she collaborates on ideas, analysis, project statuses and results, and other business initiatives with the PDC. Additionally, price or reprice products based on analysis and guidance of the PDC.
• Co-ordinate the training and development of employees, including providing feedback as part of the performance review process.

3. People Management:
• Lead, motivate, inspire and encourage employees through effective performance management – setting of clear goals and objectives and to ensure that performance assessments are completed and submitted on time and accurate.
• Ensuring that performance gaps are closed through relevant training, monitoring work performance through continuous performance discussions and coaching; ensuring that they are equipped with the resources (training and physical infrastructure) to achieve their goals
• Leave Management and Preparation of Enrolment Forms for approval in accordance with established procedures to ensure operational efficiency is maintained.
• Devise ways to optimize procedures and keep staff motivated
• Improve staff work processes: determine if inefficiencies exist and find solutions, develop and implement monitoring tools.
• When required conduct interviews or assist with head hunting for appropriate staff.
• Attend to all escalated discipline and grievance matters to ensure staff operate within the set professional guidelines of the company and fair treatment of all.
• Weekly huddles with staff to discuss performance and any appropriate action to be taken.

4. Perform any other job-related duties as assigned by the Executive/Senior Manager.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
• Bachelor Degree in Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field from a recognized tertiary level institution.
• Fellow or Associate of the Society of Actuaries, Institute & Faculty of Actuaries, or an equivalent association.
• At least 4 years’ experience in a similar role with a minimum of four (4) years in the Life Insurance Industry.
• At least 3 years’ experience managing people.
• Appreciation of basic principles in finance, accounting, human resources, marketing, information technology, etc.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT:
As a regulated entity with obligations under the Know Your Employee guidelines, a Certificate of Character is required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:
The Manager – Pricing and Product Development must be a proven leader with the ability to lead, motivate and manage diverse individuals towards the achievement of the unit’s objectives. The individual must have excellent written and oral communication skills, a keen eye for detail, strong tactical skills, the ability to articulate ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences and an exceptional service orientation. He/ she must also be self-motivated and directed but should also be able to inspire and motivate team members and function effectively in a collaborative environment. The individual must be multi-skilled, and results driven.