The Brave New World of Insurance Careers

When trying to fill open positions, insurance recruiters and HR managers are often challenged to find creative ways to attract new talent. To get through some of the stereotypes of what it means to work in insurance, consider spreading the word of your company's advancements, and give reasons why the next generation of job-seekers should consider your company when planning out their career goals. You may want to include some of the following concepts in your messaging.

Advances in technology, the growth of social media, and an increasing focus on corporate consciousness have given rise to some exciting new insurance jobs. Here, we will dive into insurance careers that didn’t exist about a decade ago and prove that insurance is no longer the financial services industry of years gone by. 

Customer Experience Managers

You’re probably thinking a customer experience manager sounds a lot like a customer service rep. But before you have nightmares about call centers and headsets, know this insurance career is about much more than customer service.

A customer experience manager is an outgrowth of the tech world. Customer experience managers, also known as user experience managers (UX), have worked in the tech field for some time. UX positions in tech began by making sure that a website works well for a user.

Today, user experience managers work within many industries, including insurance. In the insurance world, a user experience manager studies and manages the way customers interact with a carrier on all levels. A customer experience manager may analyze social media interactions, develop omnichannel marketing campaigns and analyze customer focused website interactions. All the tasks are completed with an eye toward providing the best customer experience available.

Have a passion for creating a prime customer experience and interested in what makes a customer tick? Consider a customer experience role. The pay isn’t bad either. According to PayScale, a user experience manager can earn more than $100,000 per year.

Jewelers and art historians

Though not technically an "insurance career," it’s undeniably one of the most unique insurance-related jobs. Some insurance carriers employ in-house specialists to help settle high-value personal property claims. For example, one large national carrier employs jewelers. When a claim involves a piece of jewelry, the carrier’s jewelers study the lost item, create a valuation, and then work to either repair or replace the piece with something of like quality and style.

Similarly, insurance carriers employ or contract with art historians to help settle claims involving highly valuable art. When something goes wrong, the company must have a way to value and restore or replace the art So, before you change your art history major to business, consider employment with an insurance carrier.

Sustainability managers

Sustainability isn’t just a buzz word, it’s a career. Like most corporations, large insurance carriers have a stake in sustainable practices and need sustainable managers to develop and oversee their programs.

Sustainability managers play many roles. They may focus on recycling and waste reduction programs, green office building design, or reducing a carriers’ carbon footprint. Sustainability teams can also manage supplier contracts with an eye toward minimizing waste.

Corporations and insurance carriers know sustainability is connected to the bottom line, and with the growing demand for corporate consciousness, every carrier needs a plan. If you have a passion for environmentally responsible living and working, consider putting your skills to work for an insurance carrier.

Offsite program managers

Savvy insurance carriers embrace telecommuting and work-from-home programs. Such programs help carriers save money on operating expenses, such as office space and utilities. Flexible work programs also aid in recruitment efforts, as most workers crave flexibility and the opportunity to work remotely.

A recent Gallup poll found that among 15,000 adult workers surveyed, 43 percent worked from home at least some of the time. This is where offsite and telecommuting program managers come in.

A telecommuting program manager oversees the offsite operations of the company. The job entails handling issues that arise with an offsite team including technical problems and team performance.

The position requires a high degree of technical know-how and superior communication skills. Offsite worker managers must also have exceptional leadership and team building skills to keep their team connected to the company culture.

Artificial intelligence director

Artificial intelligence (AI) is knocking on the door of insurance. Some carriers have heartily answered the call and already use some AI processes for underwriting, claims, and customer service.

Artificial intelligence directors are in demand as AI trickles further into carrier operations. Such a position requires a solid understanding of AI and machine learning as well as a working knowledge of the insurance industry. The role entails providing counsel about AI to leadership teams. Directors also identify and prioritize opportunities for the integration of AI programs.

Social media strategists and managers

It’s no surprise the development of social media has expanded insurance careers. Social media has evolved from a place to keep up with friends into an outreach machine that ranks high on the list of marketing priorities.

Insurance carriers recognize the need to harness the power of social media marketing, while at the same time managing the social presence of the carrier. Enter social media strategists and managers.

Social media strategists focus largely on optimizing social media platforms to build awareness and brand recognition for a carrier. Social media managers, on the other hand, are more engaged with social media users, attempting to foster discussions and grow a community around the carrier’s platforms.

A social media strategist position for an insurance carrier requires industry knowledge, superior communication skills, and mastery of social media platforms. According to Indeed.com a social media strategist in the Los Angeles area earns about $32.00 per hour.

Not your grandparent’s insurance career

If you are in the market for an exciting job, give an insurance career some thought. While positions in claims, underwriting, and sales are the backbone of the business, insurance has more to offer than ever before. Advances in technology, marketing, and human resources have given rise to interesting and exciting positions. Insurance carriers are always on the lookout for new talent, so why not throw your hat in the ring?

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