MetLife

Role Description:

MetLife is one of the leading providers of Group Benefits worldwide and is the premier provider for U.S. Benefits.  We have an exciting opportunity to join and lead a dynamic application development team specializing in sales and underwriting where you will play a key role in driving critical business deliverables as well as transform our legacy systems into modern platforms.  Your responsibilities will include designing solutions for IT and Business objectives, executing Proof of Concepts to address fast-moving objectives with emerging technologies, and providing end-to-end technical direction for IT product development teams. As a director, this is a hands-on role overseeing multi-phased initiatives, manage onshore and offshore teams, and collaborate closely with Product and Design teams to deliver cutting-edge solutions. This role offers the chance to significantly impact, foster curiosity, and play a critical part in delivering innovative technology and customer solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

• This role will initially focus on the Quote to Sale area consisting of sales, underwriting, and broker compensation for U.S. Group Benefits. Area of focus can change.
• Oversee technical implementation across the product portfolio, including distributed technologies like Java with Spring Boot and / or react, JavaScript / Python, JSON / XML, OpenShift, containers, headless API development, and Azure technologies including DevOps, Cloud implementations, and general software development in Azure.
• Provide solution architecture for various new features in line with modern development practices. 
• Develop architectural runway and POCs typically in java-spring boot and react.
• Do technical code and solution walkthroughs.
• Lead technical teams of 50+ resources, including employees and onshore / offshore partner teams.
• Manage people and resources, including hiring, development, talent engagement, upskilling, performance management, and annual reviews.
• Serve as the key technology advisor to the Product Manager.
• Develop and manage an application roadmap that delivers value in the short and long term.
• Integrate site reliability practices into SAFE Agile software development.
• Establish and enforce best practices in software development including code management, security, currency, performance, testing, DevOps practices, application maintainability, and reliability.
• Utilize Agile software development metrics, maintenance metrics, and KPIs to optimize product delivery
• Identify risks and drive audits to conclusion.
• Manage financials and budgets for software and services purchases/renewals.
• Oversee any software and services vendors where applicable.

Essential Business Experience and Technical Skills:

Required:

• 10+ years of hands-on development experience in full-stack software engineering.
• 5+ years of creating technical designs in cloud.
• 5+ years in leading/managing a team of technologists.
• 5+ years of development experience with one or more programming languages, such as Java, Python, and JavaScript.
• 5+ years’ experience with databases and data modeling tools.
• Experience in managing effective teams, both onshore and offshore.
• 3+ years of experience in the Agile framework, delivery model, and tools.
• Experience in managing production applications, including monitoring, support, and triage of production issues.
• Experience with requirements management (in the form of uses stories, use cases, etc.), functional design, technical design, architecture, and automated testing.
• Knowledge of site reliability practices to reduce churn and overall application overhead.
• Experience with cloud-based technologies, implementation/migrations.

Preferred:

• Person who wants to be hands-on in solving technical challenges.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent.
• DevOps practices for CI/CD, release management, and automation using Azure DevOps or equivalent.
• Ability to guide teams in detailed analysis, pattern recognition, and diagnosis of issues.