Vice President, Market Development and Innovation recruitment

AIG Benefit Solutions, targets the employee and affinity group markets, and serves as a one-stop solution for today's changing benefits marketplace for groups of all sizes. The product suite includes life/ADD, BTA/accident, universal and term life, dental, vision, limited healthcare, medical reimbursement, stop-loss, organ transplant, group hospital, group and personal disability, critical illness, accident and cancer insurance. This broad and diverse portfolio provides limitless opportunities to create flexible benefit offerings suitable for all sizes and budgets, and the combined underwriting, distribution and sales strengths of American General and Chartis will provide further strength and differentiation in the marketplace.

In this new role reporting to the Head of Product, the Vice President, Market Development and Innovation will build and lead a team focused on comprehensive market analysis and competitive intelligence programs providing insights and innovation opportunities that drive strategic direction and business planning. This position is focused on understanding the current and evolving needs of existing and potential customers across distribution channel and segment and for understanding the changing competitive landscape. This role analyzes qualitative and quantitative data to develop strategies to innovate and grow markets and distribution segments. This position also defines opportunities and threats in the business environment and makes actionable recommendations based on research and analysis.

Also responsible for translating research findings into innovative product and service initiatives and market differentiators and developing market segmentation strategies, including vertical and industry strategies and product and market cross-sell strategies, and develops strategies to compete effectively in target markets.

This position leads the following primary responsibilities.
Build and lead the market development and innovation organization
­ *Provide input on optimal organizational design to meet functional area objectives
­ *Recruit and on-board high potential talent
­ *Lead and develop team to meet and exceed functional and overall company objectives
Build competitive intelligence function to support both strategic and tactical objectives
­ *Provide specialized intelligence on top-tier and emerging competitors
­ *Ensure that sales training has current competitive information at all times
­ *Develop suite of consumable competitive intelligence and communication protocols for various stakeholder groups
Build and lead market research function
­ *Provide research support, analysis and recommendations related to product, marketing and sales strategies for our sales force, executive leadership and home office functions
­ *Provide assessment of secondary research as well as conduct primary research based on business priorities
­ *Establish research priorities in partnership with functional areas
­ *In partnership with marketing and product leaders, interpret consumer purchasing, employer benefit and channel trends
Build and lead market development function
­ *Develop market segmentation strategies, including vertical and industry strategies and product and market cross-sell strategies
­ *Develop channel and intermediary strategies to leverage the breadth of AIG distribution reach
­ *Inform voluntary market strategies and differentiators
­ *In partnership with product managers, test ideas and products for new markets
Supporting Performance Objectives:
*Provide monthly and quarterly analysis of industry and market trends and competitive developments
*Provide market and competitive direction for new product development
*Conduct benchmarking studies to support new product development and redesign initiatives
*Maintain a command of broader business and financial services industry trends
*Partner closely with the sales force to assist them in meeting their sales objectives by providing competitive intelligence and market analysis
*Drive data-based decision making and utilization of metrics to measure and monitor success

Position Requirements:
*Accomplished business leader with 10+ years of experience in relevant marketing function
*Experience translating disparate qualitative and quantitative data into strategic and tactical recommendations and driving decision-making
*Financial acumen and command of risk management principles
*Demonstrated achievements in developing and implementing successful segmentation schemes in consumer and business-to-business markets
*Track record of innovation in product or service development leading to profitable growth
*Consumer marketing experience highly desirable
*Significant experience in the development of winning strategies in a dynamic and rapidly changing industry and an understanding of the competitive and market forces which shape an industry
*Demonstrated ability to build trust, influence and work effectively and collaboratively within a highly-matrixed organization and with employees at all levels
*Well organized, with a high degree of initiative and endurance in order to prioritize, multi-task, maintain flexibility and ultimately to meet and exceed deadlines in fast-paced, changing environment
*Strong analytic, problem-solving and project management skills
*Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills; comfortable and persuasive presenter to all levels of the organization, including senior leaders and the sales force
*Strong collaboration and relationship building skills; demonstrated organizational savvy
*Demonstrated success in leading major change and transformation initiatives
*Bachelor's degree required
*Advanced degree strongly preferred

About AIG

American International Group, Inc. (AIG), a world leader in insurance and financial services, is the leading international insurance organization with operations in more than 130 countries and jurisdictions. AIG companies serve commercial, institutional and individual customers through the most extensive worldwide property-casualty and life insurance networks of any insurer. In addition, AIG companies are leading providers of retirement services, financial services and asset management around the world. AIG's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, as well as the stock exchanges in Ireland and Tokyo. AIG is an Equal Opportunity Employer.