GUIDEWIRE PROJECT MANAGER
A growing insurance organization is seeking an experienced Guidewire Program Manager to lead a multi-release Guidewire PolicyCenter implementation. This individual will be responsible for driving program execution from planning through deployment, partnering with business leaders, technology teams, vendors, and the selected System Integrator to ensure delivery remains on schedule, within budget, and aligned to business objectives. The role will oversee program governance, risk management, quality assurance, and stakeholder communications while directing Guidewire-specific activities alongside the System Integrator and independently managing related non-Guidewire workstreams, integrations, and dependencies. Strong leadership, collaboration, and communication skills are essential.
Responsibilities
- Direct all aspects of the Guidewire PolicyCenter implementation, including project definition, scope management, resource planning, timeline development, deliverable oversight, and dependency management, utilizing Guidewire SurePath or comparable implementation methodologies.
- Act as the central coordination point between business leaders, technology teams, third-party vendors, and implementation partners. Facilitate governance forums, executive steering committee meetings, and regular program status reviews, providing clear updates on progress, risks, and financial performance.
- Partner with executive leadership, including the CITO and business transformation leadership, to optimize resource allocation, manage project funding, oversee staffing plans, and ensure adherence to approved budgets. Evaluate and manage change requests and unplanned work proposed by the System Integrator.
- Proactively identify program risks, issues, and roadblocks, developing mitigation and contingency plans as needed. Escalate critical concerns to leadership and ensure compliance with applicable regulatory, security, privacy, and internal governance requirements.
- Oversee testing and quality assurance activities in coordination with Guidewire, the implementation partner, and internal testing teams. Ensure successful planning and execution of sprint testing, integration testing, user acceptance testing, performance validation, smoke testing, stabilization activities, and business process validation efforts.
- Work closely with Organizational Change Management leadership to support business readiness initiatives, including future-state process design, stakeholder impact assessments, communications planning, training development, and user adoption activities.
- Collaborate with IT Governance and PMO leadership to enhance project and portfolio management disciplines, establish governance best practices, and promote effective portfolio oversight across the broader technology organization.
- Coordinate closely with System Integrator leadership on Guidewire development efforts while independently managing associated workstreams, integrations, and dependencies involving adjacent platforms such as billing systems, CRM solutions, data platforms, and other enterprise applications.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field
- 7+ years of progressive experience managing IT projects
- 3+ years focused on Guidewire implementations (PolicyCenter, BillingCenter, ClaimCenter, or Guidewire Rating).
- Strong project management skills, with a proven record of planning, executing, and closing complex projects on time and within budget; strong Agile/Scrum experience.
- Guidewire certification or experience with Guidewire SurePath methodology and the Guidewire Testing Framework is strongly preferred; PMP or equivalent certification is a plus.
- Knowledge of insurance business processes, especially underwriting, policy administration, claims, and billing (commercial P&C strongly preferred).
- Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including executive presence.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Teams, Jira/Confluence, and SharePoint.
- Self-motivated, solution-oriented, and collaborative - able to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously and build strong relationships across the organization.
About Korn Ferry
Korn Ferry unleashes potential in people, teams, and organizations. We work with our clients to design optimal organization structures, roles, and responsibilities. We help them hire the right people and advise them on how to reward and motivate their workforce while developing professionals as they navigate and advance their careers. To learn more, please visit Korn Ferry at www.Kornferry.com
