Director Application Platforms

We are seeking an experienced engineering and technology leader to drive the strategic vision and execution of initiatives that enhance operational performance and efficiency. As Director, Application Platforms, you will play a pivotal role in the evolution of our travel insurance application platforms, delivering high-quality solutions relied upon by customers and employees. You will be accountable for the platforms that underpin our business, overseeing the delivery of new products, services, features, and enhancements. Working with both internal and external teams, you will collaborate across local and global technology groups to ensure cohesive, business-aligned outcomes.

In this role, you will partner closely with senior and executive leadership at GGA and Europ Assistance, as well as stakeholders across all departments, to align platform roadmaps, resources, and delivery commitments. You will develop a deep understanding of the tools, technologies, and systems used at GGA and ensure the platforms consistently deliver business value, reliability, and efficiency. Success requires strong judgment in assessing business impact, directing resources effectively, establishing sustainable processes, and building relationships across a global technology organization. You will oversee managed service partners to ensure 24/7 support, adherence to SLAs, and proactive risk and compliance practices, supported by a small internal technical team. Influence, full-stack or hybrid application-infrastructure experience, and a background in development management or managed service environments will be key advantages.

Chart Your Course:

Leadership - 35%

• Management of external partners from strategic planning down to delivery and support with a proactive approach.
• Defining solution and implementation plans in collaboration with enterprise architecture.
• Directing the development team in the design, development, coding, testing, debugging and release of applications.
• Planning and documenting technical specifications for features or system design.
• Liaise with IT teams to assist in resolving problems with software products or company software systems.
• Executive, peer and team communication as it relates to Application Platforms
• Collaboration between Development, QA, DevOps to ensure a SDLC that delivers scalable, quality deliverables to our partners.
• Mentoring and development of team members, and ensuring they adhere to determined software quality standards.

Platform Delivery - 35%

• Align external partner deliverables and support with the internal team capacity, velocity and delivery ensuring predictable dates and support for live services.
• Collaborate with PMO in conceptualizing and development of new software programs and applications.
• Assist in the definition, development, and documentation of software's business requirements, objectives, deliverables, and specifications on a project-by-project basis in collaboration with internal users and departments.
• Assist in defining software development project plans, including scoping, scheduling, and implementation.

Application Roadmaps & Development Standards - 20%

• Create and/or enhance development and automation standards, embedding security and quality considerations.
• Ensure local and global domain standards are factored into the platform development cycle (Architecture, PCI, DORA, etc.)
• Ensure standards are adhered to and manage deviations by Managed Service Provider(s)
• Evolve the standards with the integration of AI, Agentic AI and other tech evolutions into development workflow

Innovation - 10%

• Explore and apply artificial intelligence to delivery activities, including development, testing, and deployments.
• Scale the capabilities and capacity of the team using innovative tools and techniques.
• Anticipate the future of our business and partner needs by conducting POCs and other activities to position the IT team as a driver in executing our strategy and achieving goals, While there is some flexibility in the hours, this position will be Monday-Friday during regular business hours (approximately 8:00am-5:00pm). Occasional overtime may be required according to business need.

• 10+ years' application development and delivery experience.
• Experience in applying AI to enhancement delivery outcomes.
• Strong experience with Spring Boot, JEE, IoC / DI, JPA, Hibernate.
• Strong experience with AWS services and infrastructure (AWS SQS, SMS, Lambda, API Gateway / Portal, Route56, EBS, Fargate, CloudFormation, Terraform, etc.).
• Strong practitioner of Agile methodology applications to SDLC.
• Prior experience interviewing end-users for insight on functionality, interface, problems, and/or usability issues.
• Experience with JBoss 7.0 or Wildfly, JMS, HornetMQ, RabbitMQ.
• Excellent understanding of design patterns, coding methods and best practices.
• Hands-on experience developing test cases and test plans.
• Understand principles and best practices of RESTful development.
• Databases: MSSQL, MySQL/Aurora, NoSQL / DynamoDB.
• Leverage JavaScript Frameworks like React.JS, ExtJS.
• Knowledge of the CICD, Pipelines, Maven, GIT, versioning, and release management best practices.
• Working knowledge of Linux and Windows.

A plus:

• Knowledge of applicable data privacy practices and laws.

Education/Certifications:

• High School Diploma required.
• Bachelor's Degree required.

Pulled from the full job description

• Travel reimbursement
• Professional development assistance
• Pet insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Parental leave
• 401(k) matching
• Vision insurance, Our teams value curiosity and collaboration while priding ourselves on fostering a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for our employees. Elevate your journey through our internal programs, including:
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee
• Career pathing and Individual Development Plans
• Internal training and intern opportunities
• Women in Business Mentorship Program
• Employee awards and recognition
• Education and professional development assistance program

Passport to Perks Includes:

• Generous Employer contribution for health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave
• Scholarship Program for Employee Dependents
• Company match on 401k
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Company paid short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Company paid life insurance
• Voluntary Pet Insurance
• Voluntary Legal Benefit
• Discounts on travel insurance
• Time off policies including vacation days, sick days, personal days, holidays and volunteer days (VTO)

At Generali Global Assistance (GGA), every day is an opportunity to help people explore the world with confidence. We're not just in the business of protection-we're in the business of adventure and peace of mind. Whether it's a backpacker trekking through the Andes, a family cruising the Mediterranean, or a solo traveler chasing the Northern Lights, we're there to ensure their journey is safe and supported. From assisting with emergency medical claims to guiding customers through trip disruptions or ID theft, your work helps turn travel challenges into stories of resilience.