Our Risk Solutions team is currently seeking an Innovation Lead in our Worcester, MA office on a hybrid basis, or fully remote work location. This is a full-time, exempt role.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Innovation Lead for Risk Solutions is responsible for driving strategic innovation initiatives across Core Commercial, Specialty, Personal Lines, and Premium Audit. This role leads the planning, execution, and reporting of innovation projects and pilots, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and market trends. The Innovation Lead develops competitive intelligence by monitoring industry activity and assessing threats and opportunities, providing actionable insights to the AVP of Technical Services and technical teams. Through structured project management, the Innovation Lead collaborates with cross-functional partners including underwriting, operations, IT, and external vendors to deliver impactful solutions. This position may also include supervisory responsibilities, managing direct reports or temporary staff to support project execution and innovation efforts.

IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL:

• Lead the development of innovation projects and pilots, from strategy through ideation and execution. Designs and implements a standardized framework for assessing risk and expected return for new ideas.
• Lead cross-functional teams through execution of innovation projects and realization of expected outcomes and learning, including through periods of program transition to ensure that organizational changes are successfully implemented and sustained.
• Continuously monitor project status via a variety of applicable methods; applies best practices and methods as needed, to manage and control project resources and scope.
• Communicate the status of major milestones, provide continuing direction to the project team, and conduct regular status meetings with key stakeholders to review project activities.
• Manage, motivate, and lead project teams to meet project objectives.
• Oversee and manage enrollment process including tracking of devices and ensuring termination of services for non-renewed policyholders.
• Assist in monitoring performance, risk, and strategic fit of the innovation portfolio on an ongoing basis.
• Prepare and deliver presentations and clearly communicate findings from idea analysis and solution research.
• Provide support and guidance to staff as they translate data-based insights into action.
• Aggregate competitive intelligence findings and interpret impacts from industry movement and activities, as well as key trends within insurance, financial services, startups, and technology companies.
• Translate business needs into products, services, experiences, and businesses that solve needs and create profitable, sustained value and growth.
• Lead the development of both internal and external research and testing for innovative ideas and insights.
• Work with external partners to draft appropriate contracts and presents them to Technical Services team for execution.

WHAT YOU NEED TO APPLY:

• Bachelor's degree preferred
• 5-8 years of experience conducting market research, project management, and/or competitive intelligence
• Prior Property and Casualty insurance preferred
• Strong research, collaboration, facilitation, and negotiation skills to identify and implement innovative solutions and strategies in support of the organization's mission
• Demonstrated analytical, organizational, decision-making, and project management skills
• Effective interpersonal, written, and communication skills to establish and maintain positive working relationships with all levels of the organization
• Good understanding of different market research techniques/methodologies in data collection is desired
• Exhibits creativity and innovation
• Demonstrated ability to build expertise quickly in unfamiliar subject areas; intellectually curious
• Interested in and conversant about technology
• Comfortable operating in an ambiguous, "startup-like" environment
• Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills required
• Strong work ethic with an inherent sense of ownership and responsibility
• Advanced computer proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and PowerApps is necessary

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Ability to use a personal computer and other standard office equipment
• Ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods
• Required to work on-site as needed
• Ability to travel as necessary
• Ability to work in a fast paced or changing environment

This job posting provides cursory examples of some of the job duties associated with this position. The examples provided are not complete, and the position may entail other essential and job-related functions and responsibilities that employees will be required to perform.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT:

It's not just a job, it's a career, and we are here to support you every step of the way. We want you to be successful and fulfilled. Through on-the-job experiences, personalized coaching and our robust learning and development programs, we encourage you - at every level - to grow and develop.

BENEFITS:

We offer comprehensive benefits to help you be healthy, build financial security, and balance work and home life. At The Hanover, you'll enjoy what you do and have the support you need to succeed.

Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• 401K with a company match
• Tuition reimbursement
• PTO
• Company paid holidays
• Flexible work arrangements
• Cultural Awareness Day in support of IDE
• On-site medical/wellness center (Worcester only)
• Click here for the full list of Benefits

Compensation:

The target hiring range for this role may vary based on geographic location and other factors, including merit or performance, demonstrated proficiency, skills for the role, education, travel requirements, and experience. Additional compensation may include an annual bonus (which could take the form of a general bonus, sales incentive, or short-term incentive), long-term incentive or spot recognition awards. The posted range reflects our ability to hire at different position titles and levels depending on background and experience.