Software Engineering Director – Product Development

Job Description:

Position Overview

Penn Mutual is in search of an experienced Director of Software Engineering to play a leadership role in our Information Management and Technology organization. This role involves leading teams dedicated to implementing and supporting Penn Mutual’s robust product offerings. The ideal candidate will possess a background in software engineering along with an understanding of the Life and Annuity Insurance domain. Exceptional communication skills are imperative for success, along with a keen focus on delivering impactful business value through technology. This role requires developing trusted relationships with stakeholders, mentoring staff, and collaborating with agile product owners to ensure the successful delivery of Penn Mutual product in alignment with corporate priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of software engineers and product analysts. This includes recruiting, hiring, onboarding, training, mentoring and performance management.
• Provide strategic direction and technical leadership to the engineering organization, setting clear objectives, goals, and priorities aligned with company objectives.
• Drive the development and delivery of high-quality software solutions, ensuring adherence to best practices, coding standards, and quality standards.
• Collaborate with product management, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams to define product roadmaps, prioritize initiatives, and allocate resources effectively.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability, promoting open communication, feedback, and knowledge sharing among team members.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels, including executive leadership, to ensure alignment of technical initiatives with business goals.
• Drive continuous improvement and operational excellence, identifying opportunities for process optimization, tooling enhancements, and technology adoption.
• Manage schedules, budgets, and resources, ensuring timely delivery of solutions within scope and budget constraints.
• Represent the engineering organization in strategic planning, budgeting, and decision-making processes, and communicate key insights and recommendations to executive leadership.

What you’ll be doing

• Provide leadership for agile teams of software engineers, analysts and quality assurance staff, removing impediments and enabling the delivery of business value.
• Collaborate with other technology teams and business areas to facilitate the smooth execution of Penn Mutual’s corporate goals.
• Clearly articulate intentions and empower individual contributors, allowing them the flexibility to adapt in real-time when encountering obstacles.
• Guide and develop proficiency in skills to create high-performing individuals and teams.
• Work closely with Agile Product Owners to escalate resourcing concerns, shifting priorities and incident response.
• Build positive relationships with business stakeholders and executives, fostering open communication and understanding, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.
• Coordinate and facilitate effective, purpose-driven meetings with clear agendas and takeaways, ensuring a productive and focused environment for all participants.
• Be a passionate leader committed to the development and mentorship of your teams.
• Share ideas and work to bring people together to help solve sophisticated problems.
• Create a positive and collaborative environment by championing open communication and soliciting continuous feedback.
• Stay current with new technology trends and continue to develop your leadership brand.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field. (Master's degree preferred)
• 10+ years of professional experience in software development, with a strong track record of delivering high-quality software solutions.
• Previous experience in a leadership or management role, with demonstrated success leading engineering teams.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively communicate technical concepts and decisions to teams and stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated knowledge of insurance products and operations.
• Proven track record of driving technical innovation, fostering a culture of excellence, and achieving business objectives.
• Experience with agile development methodologies, project management tools, and modern software development practices.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, with a focus on delivering results and meeting deadlines.

Preferred

• Experience designing and working with the