Job Details

Director, Product Development and Market Research

The Director, Product Development and Market Research will be responsible for leading the identification, analysis, execution and support of strategic product and program strategies, including management of the existing dental product portfolio, for new and existing markets. The director will also plan, develop, execute, and manage strategic market research across Delta Dentals market segments and stakeholders in support of business and corporate goals.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Planning, Leadership

• Drive, build, and execute product strategies that support the corporate Business Plan and enable Delta Dental to achieve its revenue, gross margin, pre-tax income, network, and quality improvement goals.
• Maintain a deep understanding of industry trends and innovations and translate that knowledge into pilots, products, and scalable solutions that ensure Delta Dentals leadership position.
• Operate as a change leader by identifying, implementing, and embracing novel approaches that improve customer experience, efficiency, and profitability across the business.
• Lead product strategy, product development, and product management functions across Delta Dentals dental and ancillary products.
• Develop annual product plans in support of corporate goals and multiyear business plan.
• Actively manage, grow, and enhance Delta Dentals product portfolio across group, individual, Association, Massachusetts Health Connector, health plan, and voluntary segments.
• Track and monitor portfolio KPIs to proactively optimize product performance in support of corporate and business goals.
• Lead product development and innovation to grow revenue, profit, and provider network advantage, to help Delta Dental build a competitive moat around its core business, and to expand the companys revenue base through new product line, new market, and other diversification efforts.
• Identify, build, launch and nurture new products and programs that create value for clients, providers, members, and brokers across all markets and segments.
• Drive a market and competitive intelligence capability relative to key product trends, competitive activity, and market drivers.
• Set market segment strategies in collaboration with Sales andcross-functional partners while developing and deploying segment-specific products and programs.
• Actively support Sales and Account Service in RFPs, finalist presentations and renewals, and with key brokers formulating meaningful value propositions, differentiated solutions, and powerful presentations to help close the deal(s).
• Closely partner with Provider Relations and Network Management around provider communications, education, and engagement that furthers DDMAs competitive network advantage, strategic relationships, and specific network goals.

Market Research

• Execute, report, and increase business value from existing voice of the customer tracking studies with Delta Dentals key stakeholders, including employers, providers, group members, individual members, and brokers.
• Gauge the need, make the business case, and expand the set of standard market research studies to generate strategic insights that directly contribute to business and corporate goals.
• Collaborate with senior and other organizational leaders to design and implement special market research studies in support of strategic projects and initiatives.
• Manage and oversee market research firms and/or market research software vendors to ensure studies completed with excellence, on time, and on budget.
• Coordinate data collection and interface with external market research partners at DDPA, NADP, LIMRA, and others.

Talent Management

• Hire, manage, and develop a high performing team of motivated, curious, and highly capable individuals to effectively serve the needs of the business.
• Model and provide organizational leadership to develop culture and performance excellence.
• Ongoing talent development, performance evaluation, and team leadership to meet business and culture objectives.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• BA or BS degree, in business, marketing, finance, healthcare, science, engineering, technology or related field.
• 10 or more years professional experience, including demonstrated experience at increasing responsibility levels of successfully leading product development, product management, and/or innovation at a dental insurer, health plan, or ancillary insurance carrier.
• 5 or more years of professional experience in market research, preferably in dental, medical, vision, or healthcare.
• Strong general business, financial, marketing, and analytical acumen within the health plan, healthcare arenas.
• Deep understanding of qualitative and quantitative primary and secondary market research techniques and statistical methods.
• Experience in all phases of the research process, including needs assessment, research design, data collection, data analysis and insights, and data storytelling.
• Superior knowledge of healthcare and dental industry trends, commercial market trends, customer segmentation, and competitive analysis, preferably in Massachusetts.
• A creative leader and innovator who feels comfortable questioning traditional approaches, takes appropriate risks, and is enthusiastic about developing and implementing new ideas.
• Demonstrated ability to connect vision, strategy, and actionable tactical plans, and does not hesitate about rolling up the sleeves to deliver results.
• Considerable experience in use of research to support sales, network management, marketing, product development, customer satisfaction, and quality improvement.
• Superior communication, presentation and influencing skills across multiple audiences, including senior leaders, clients, and dentists.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop talent, and create cohesive, high-performing teams.
• Ability to quickly assimilate into an agile and highly collaborative corporate culture and effectively integrate new ideas, systems, tools, and processes.
• A go-to collaborator with a high say-do ratio, high-integrity, and a flexible, no nonsense working style.

Preferred:

• Familiarity with the Massachusetts healthcare market
• Good understanding of healthcare and consumer-oriented technologies
• Experience working with state regulators like the Division of Insurance

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Requires overall light physical effort (up to 25lbs.)
• Manual dexterity and sitting is required in fulfilling position own position responsibilities (i.e. use of personal computer).
• Ability to travel or move about within and outside serviced facilities required.
• Incumbent works primarily in either a private or shared office environment.

The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform this position.

** In accordance with Delta Dental of Massachusetts Compliance Plan, all employees must conduct Delta Dental of Massachusetts business and activities in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, professional standards, and ethical standards and report potential compliance or ethical issues to Delta Dental of Massachusetts designated Compliance Officer. **

Delta Dental of Massachusetts Affirmative Action Program affirms our commitment to make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities or special disabled veterans unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business and activities. Please see Human Resources for additional information regarding this program.