Program Manager

Location: Chennai, India

Job Summary
Drive complex portfolios of life and annuities insurance programs in a global hybrid work environment ensuring strategic alignment predictable delivery and measurable business outcomes. Apply deep expertise in portfolio management and project management to optimize investments standardize execution practices and strengthen governance. Collaborate across business technology and operations to enhance customer value risk control and overall organizational performance.
Responsibilities
+ Lead integrated planning and execution of a multi year portfolio of programs within the life and annuities insurance domain ensuring every initiative is aligned with strategic business objectives and delivers measurable value to customers and stakeholders.
+ Oversee the prioritization and sequencing of projects within the portfolio by applying structured analysis of benefits costs risks and interdependencies thereby optimizing resource allocation and improving overall enterprise performance.
+ Provide robust governance for the program and portfolio by defining clear structures establishing repeatable processes and maintaining transparent reporting that enables timely decisions and reduces delivery risk for senior stakeholders.
+ Coordinate cross functional project teams working in a hybrid model by setting clear expectations facilitating collaboration and ensuring effective communication flows between business technology and operations to maintain momentum and accountability.
+ Drive standardized project management practices across the portfolio by applying industry recognized methodologies tailored frameworks and consistent documentation to improve predictability traceability and quality of outcomes.
+ Monitor program and project health using quantitative metrics and qualitative insights track performance against baselines and initiate corrective actions when deviations arise to protect timelines budgets and scope integrity.
+ Manage risks and issues across the portfolio by proactively identifying potential obstacles assessing probability and impact defining mitigation strategies and escalating critical concerns early to safeguard customer commitments and regulatory compliance.
+ Collaborate closely with life and annuities business leaders to translate product strategies and regulatory requirements into executable program roadmaps that enhance policyholder experience and support sustainable growth for the organization.
+ Guide change management activities within the portfolio by planning stakeholder engagement refining communication narratives and coordinating training and transition efforts so that new solutions are adopted smoothly and operations remain stable.
+ Ensure high quality delivery of technology and process enhancements by working with architects business analysts and testing teams to refine requirements validate solutions and maintain traceability from business needs to implemented capabilities.
+ Align portfolio outcomes with organizational purpose by focusing on initiatives that improve customer protection strengthen long term financial security and support the responsible growth of life and annuities offerings in the markets served.
+ Optimize financial performance of the portfolio by tracking budgets benefits realization and operational efficiencies and by adjusting program scopes or timelines to preserve value while respecting constraints agreed with sponsors.
+ Coordinate vendor and partner contributions within the portfolio by defining clear scopes measuring performance against commitments and fostering collaborative relationships that enhance delivery speed and solution quality.
Qualifications
+ Possess extensive experience of two decades or more in managing large and complex portfolios and programs demonstrating mastery of portfolio management techniques and project management disciplines that drive consistent business outcomes.
+ Bring deep domain expertise in life and annuities insurance with strong understanding of products policy administration processes regulatory obligations and customer expectations that shape design and execution of business initiatives.
+ Hold advanced proficiency in enterprise program and project management tools and practices including planning tracking risk management and stakeholder communication capabilities that support coordinated delivery in a hybrid work model.
+ Demonstrate strong ability to collaborate with senior stakeholders across business technology operations and risk functions using clear communication and structured analysis to support decisions and maintain alignment on portfolio priorities.
+ Exhibit solid experience in change management and adoption for large scale transformations including communication planning training coordination and transition management that help teams and customers embrace new capabilities.
+ Show proven capability in financial management for portfolios and programs including budgeting forecasting benefit tracking and cost optimization ensuring that investments in life and annuities initiatives deliver expected value.
+ Display high level of proficiency in problem solving and issue resolution across complex delivery environments using data judgment and collaboration to remove obstacles and maintain continuity of program execution.
Certifications Required
PgMP certification from PMI and a recognized insurance domain credential related to life and annuities.
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.