Vice President of Operations
Description

The Vice President of Operations will be responsible for the day-to-day management of UNICO’s operational functions, emphasizing hands-on leadership and operational excellence. This role will involve developing team members, directly overseeing and optimizing processes, and improving efficiencies. The Vice President of Operations will work closely with team members to enhance productivity, address operational challenges, and foster a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that UNICO’s operations are aligned with its immediate needs and long-term goals.  

Requirements

Operational Leadership (Lead | Manage | Accountable) 

  • Provide effective leadership by being involved in business aspects and developing a broad and deep knowledge of the UNICO Group insurance industry. 
  • Streamline operations, improve processes, and enhance productivity across departments to achieve operational and strategic goals. 
  • Establish and manage key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to evaluate operational efficiency. 
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate operational and financial risks to protect UNICO Group’s operational assets and reputation. 
  • Provide guidance to and assist the Executive Team to implement UNICO Group’s strategic plan and operational initiatives. 
  • Coach and guide the Divisional Operation Directors to develop and execute operational and strategic initiatives. 
  • Present operational updates to executive leadership, the Board of Directors, and other stakeholders to ensure transparency and alignment with strategic objectives. 
  • Coach, evaluate and develop the operational team to expand capacity. 

Project Management 

  • Work closely with the Executive Team to drive cohesive strategies and initiatives that support P&L objectives. 
  • Develop and manage the annual Operations Excellence Plan.  
  • Provide operational leadership and input for all strategic plan implementation processes. 
  • Meet quality and timeliness deadlines for all projects assigned. 
  • Work within an established tracking system in reporting progress against the strategic and operational excellence plan implementation. 
  • Identify opportunities to leverage cross-divisional strengths or strategic UNICO Group affiliations to capitalize on new opportunities and address organizational challenges. 

Profit | Loss Management 

  • Collaborate on the annual operational forecast, manage effectively within this forecast, and report accurately on progress made and challenges encountered. 
  • Implement strategies to optimize costs, improve margins, and drive overall financial performance. 
  • Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and operational financial planning processes to ensure profitability and growth. 

Client Experience & Retention 

  • Meet/Exceed annual client retention target. 
  • Manage and cultivate existing relationships with strategic stakeholders, including trade associations, regulatory supervisors, and reinsurance providers. 

Skills | Abilities 

  • Excellent in organizational management and able to coach teams with a well-developed, skilled, and collaborative approach. 
  • History of effectively leading a service-oriented organization with a complex array of initiatives and with the ability to leverage strengths across company sectors, excellent project management skills. 
  • Analytic and decisive decision-maker able to prioritize and communicate to staff key objectives and tactics necessary to achieve organizational goals. 
  • History of leading organizational transformation projects and programs. 
  • Commit to a collaborative work environment, quality programs, and data-driven program evaluation. 
  • Individual with strong written and verbal communication skills and a persuasive communicator with proficient presentation skills. 
  • Results-oriented, entrepreneurial in spirit and action, flexible, and innovative approach to operational management. 
  • Passion, humility, integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed. 

Education | Experience 

  • An individual with operational management experience is required. The successful candidate will collaborate with the President, CFO, and Executive Team to establish and execute company initiatives. 
  • Minimum education of bachelor’s degree required. 
  • Five years minimum of relatable experience in leadership and managing operations of an organization 
  • Experience with operational forecasting and fiscal management. 
  • Knowledge of the insurance industry is an asset. 
  • Experience managing personnel functions such as performance, compensation, and hiring. 

Physical Demands

  • This role’s physical exertion is sedentary and takes place in an office environment. 
  • Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. 
  • Substantial movements and repetitive motion of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. 
  • Individual required to have close visual acuity to perform activities such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing, viewing a computer, and extensive reading.
     
Professional. Team Player. Positive. Trust. 


  

UNICO Group is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, UNICO Group will take steps to ensure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Linsey Renner at lrenner@unicogroup.com