Mercury Insurance

Director, Product Research and Development (R&D)

Mercury Insurance$107K — $300K *
US-AnywhereRemote in United States
Finance & Insurance
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in analytical concentration (math, statistics, economics, or finance) required; Master's preferred.
  • 8+ years in product development; 15+ years in P&C Insurance preferred.
  • 10+ years in R&D leadership preferred.
  • Advanced analytical and quantitative skills essential.
  • Strong track record in creativity for pricing and product development.

Responsibilities

  • Define and drive strategic plans for product development in collaboration with senior management.
  • Direct data research and analyses to address complex business challenges.
  • Lead end-to-end product research, from initiation to monitoring performance.
  • Prioritize product development initiatives to focus on high-impact projects.
  • Evaluate research plans to ensure clarity and actionable insights.
  • Oversee market analysis to inform product and pricing strategies.
  • Lead the Product R&D team and ensure talent development and succession planning.

Benefits

  • Competitive compensation package.
  • Remote work flexibility for most positions.
  • Paid time off including vacation, sick days, and 9 holidays.
  • Incentive bonuses including holiday and performance-based opportunities.
  • Comprehensive insurance options including medical, dental, and vision.
  • 401(k) with company match to support retirement planning.
  • Engaging work environment with promotion opportunities.
  • Education assistance for continued professional development.
  • Provision of mental wellbeing resources and family support services.
Full Job Description
Overview

Position Summary:

The Director of R&D is a senior leadership role responsible for defining and driving the product strategy and overseeing the research, development and implementation of insurance products for the assigned line of business to achieve the profitable growth that supports the company vision. The Director will lead and manage a team of research and development professionals. The Director will lead and evolve a cross-functional process with Actuaries, State Product Management, Sales, Underwriting, and other stakeholders to continuously enhance the product and pricing.

This position will be responsible for personal property products (Homeowners and Landlords).

Geo-Salary Information

An in-person interview may be required during the hiring process

State specific pay scales for this role are as follows:

$118,078.00 to $330,661.00 (CA, NJ, NY, WA, HI, AK, MD, CT, RI, MA)

$118,078.00 to $330,661.00 (NV, OR, AZ, CO, WY, TX, ND, MN, MO, IL, WI, FL, GA, MI, OH, VA, PA, DE, VT, NH, ME)

$118,078.00 to $330,661.00 (UT, ID, MT, NM, SD, NE, KS, OK, IA, AR, LA, MS, AL, TN, KY, IN, SC, NC, WV)

The expected base salary for this position will vary depending on a number of factors, including relevant experience, skills and location.

Responsibilities

Essential Job Functions:

Product Strategy, Research, and Execution
• Defines and drives strategic plans for assigned line of business product development and execution in partnership with senior management.
• Directs and oversees data research and statistical analyses to solve complex business problems.
• Leads end-to-end product research, including initiating research, planning and coordinating resources, conducting research, leading implementation, and overseeing monitoring of product performance with specific focus on assigned line of business.
• Prioritizes and governs the product development portfolio to ensure focus on the highest-impact initiatives.

Lead Review, Governance, and Market Insight
• Evaluates and approves research plans and results, ensuring rigor, clarity of insights, and actionability.
• Oversees identification and resolution of product issues and directs implementation of recommended solutions and product enhancements.
• Directs and synthesizes analyses of competitor pricing, product features, and service levels, and translates insights into product and pricing strategies.
• Establishes and oversees product training strategies and ensures effective training delivery across the organization as needed.

Leadership and Management
• Owns leadership and management of the Product Research and Development area for assigned line of business
• Leads and develops team members; establishes training opportunities; and oversees talent development, performance management, compensation decisions, and staff planning.
• Builds and advances R&D Managers and Analysts at various levels, ensuring strong succession and capability development.
• Leads and owns the decision-making process for evaluating new ideas and pricing positions related to assigned line of business area, ensuring alignment with company financial and strategic goals.

Cross-Functional Ownership and Integration
• Leads and aligns colleagues and other divisions to implement and operationalize changes in pricing, product models, and product enhancements.
• Establishes and ensures full integration with Underwriting, Sales, Claims, and other divisions to drive process improvement and product performance.

Qualifications

Education:
  • Minimum: Bachelor's Degree required with an emphasis in analytical concentration such as math, statistics, economics, finance, quantitative research, etc.
  • Preferred: Master's Degree

Experience:
  • Minimum:
  • 8+ years experience in product development field
  • Or equivalent combination of education and/or experience
  • Preferred:
  • 15+ years experience in P&C Insurance industry preferred.
  • 10+ plus years leadership experience in R&D

Knowledge and Skills:

Minimum:
• Highly motivated and driven individual with excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Up-to-date knowledge of insurance market and emerging change trends
• Advanced analytical and quantitative skills required.
• Strong track record of demonstrated creativity in pricing and product development.
• Ability to review highly complex issues that may have a significant financial impact on the Company and develop strategic solutions.
• Must have initiative and be a self-starter.
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to build committment to decisions.
• Must have excellent team building and staff development skills.
• Broard knowledge and experience with statistical and machine learning models

Physical Requirements

Must be able to maintain a sedentary position for extended periods

Continuously (66%-100%)

Must be able to communicate (electronically and telephonically) with team members, customers, and external parties.

Continuously (66%-100%)

Must be able to operate and type on a computer, laptop, and/or other Company-issued electronic device for extended periods of time.

Continuously (66%-100%)

Must be able to access and operate Company computer system, including preparing documents, entering data into computer system, and reading documents from a computer database or email system.

Continuously (66%-100%)

Must be able to bend, stoop, reach, climb, and/or stand to access files, documents, and other equipment.

Never (0%)

Must be able to grasp, open, and close drawers, filing cabinets, and other equipment; and

Occasionally (Up to 33%)

Must be able to lift/carry/push/pull up to 20 lbs.* (Hiring manager to edit as needed)

Never (0%)

Operate Mechanical Machinery

Never (0%)

Be exposed to Harmful Fumes and/or other Pollutants

Never (0%)

Work on Unprotected Heights

Never (0%)

Perks and Benefits

We offer many great benefits, including:
  • Competitive compensation
  • Flexibility to work from anywhere in the United States for most positions
  • Paid time off (vacation time, sick time, 9 paid Company holidays, volunteer hours)
  • Incentive bonus programs (potential for holiday bonus, referral bonus, and performance-based bonus)
  • Medical, dental, vision, life, and pet insurance
  • 401 (k) retirement savings plan with company match
  • Engaging work environment
  • Promotional opportunities
  • Education assistance
  • Professional and personal development opportunities
  • Company recognition program
  • Health and wellbeing resources, including free mental wellbeing therapy/coaching sessions, child and eldercare resources, and more

Pay Range

USD $107,344.71 - USD $300,603.92 /Yr.

About Mercury Insurance

Mercury Insurance Group is a multiple-line insurance organization offering personal automobile, homeowners, renters and business insurance. Founded in 1961 and headquartered in Los Angeles, Mercury has assets in excess of $4 billion, employs 4,500 people and has more than 8,000 independent agents in 11 states. Mercury has been named one of America's Most Trustworthy Companies by Forbes magazine, and has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Los Angeles for eight years running. The company has also been named one of America's Best Midsize Employers by Forbes.
Learn more about Mercury Insurance
Size
4,300 employees
Market Cap
$1.8 billion
Industry
Net Income
$374.6 million
Founded
1962
5 Year Trend
+4.3%
Revenue
$3.7 billion
NASDAQ

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