Policy Associate Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

Location Designation: Hybrid - 3 days per week
Role Overview:
New York Life Insurance (NYL) is seeking a highly motivated and detail oriented Technical Product Owner to join our high-performing team focused on continually improving our technology ecosystem and transforming our business processing capabilities that support our institutional clients in an industry-leading business unit, Institutional Life (IL). IL offers sophisticated life insurance products in the Bank Owned Life Insurance (BOLI), Corporate Owned Life Insurance (COLI), and Corporate Sponsored markets.
This role sits on the Illustration & Policy Administration Systems team, which partners across the enterprise to deliver enhancements to IL's technology ecosystem. The team supports ongoing improvements to operational processes with a strong focus on execution, quality, and collaboration.
The Product Owner will work closely with technical teams and subject matter experts to help identify, document, test, and deliver features across illustration and policy administration platforms. This role supports established Product Owner practices within a SAFe Agile framework and contributes to effective backlog management and delivery execution. The position operates in a hybrid delivery model, requiring the ability to translate agile planning into structured requirements aligned with third-party vendor timelines. The ideal candidate is organized, proactive, and comfortable working within defined processes while contributing ideas to improve how work gets done.
The successful candidate will help interpret business and user needs across Illustration and Policy Administration platforms and understand how those needs translate into accurate and reliable data consumed by downstream systems. A desire to continuously improve processes and deliver practical solutions for end-users is key.
What You'll Do:
• Supports the use and adoption of Product Owner best practices and operating structures within a SAFe Agile environment.
• Translates agile epics into well-defined requirements by developing use cases, user stories, and acceptance criteria aligned with Product Manager direction and business priorities, including support for third-party vendor delivery timelines.
• Works directly with end-users and subject matter experts (SMEs) to document existing business processes and identify product feature requirements and priorities that improve efficiency, reduce risk, and enhance the user experience.
• Incorporates SME input, quality monitoring results, and compliance directives into user-focused solutions.
• Participates in continuous backlog refinement and prioritization to align work with defined epics and planned delivery.
• Supports sprint planning activities by helping align development and testing capacity with planned work and system maintenance.
• Assists with intake process execution and partners with technology stakeholders to support downstream development efforts.
• Coordinates work activities to support planned release timelines.
• Reviews and tests developer output to identify defects or inconsistencies in functionality or user experience.
• Drafts end-user communications to support feature releases and explain user impact.
• Supports feature demonstrations and assists with training for end-users and stakeholders, as needed.
• Reviews procedural, quality, and training documentation and supports sign-off activities for production releases.
• Supports production issue triage by assisting with investigation, documentation, and escalation to appropriate SMEs.
What You'll Bring:
• 5+ years of product owner experience.
• Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent experience.
• Experience working in hybrid Agile/Waterfall environments, particularly with third-party vendors.
• Experience working within a SAFe Agile framework preferred, including exposure to backlog management and sprint planning.
• Exposure to policy administration systems (e.g., Adastar, Cyberlife) and illustration systems (e.g., Ascent) a plus.
• Experience with Jira or similar Agile project management tools.
• Knowledge of COLI/BOLI products a plus.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and detail oriented.
• Demonstrates accountability for meeting deadlines and delivering quality work.
• Ability to quickly learn new technical concepts and business processes.
• Applies critical thinking to analyze issues and support problem resolution.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrates effective listening and collaboration skills.
• Comfortable working within some ambiguity while following established processes and guidance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)
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Pay Transparency
Salary Range: $80,000 - $100,000
Overtime eligible: Exempt
Discretionary bonus eligible: Yes
Sales bonus eligible: No
Actual base salary will be determined based on several factors but not limited to individual's experience, skills, qualifications, and job location. Additionally, employees are eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. In addition to base salary, employees may also be eligible to participate in an incentive program.
Company Overview
At New York Life, our 180-year legacy of purpose and integrity fuels our future. As we evolve into a more technology-, data-, and AI-enabled organization, we remain grounded in the values that drive lasting impact.
Our diverse business portfolio creates opportunities to make a difference across industries and communities-inviting bold thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and purpose-driven innovation. Here, you'll find the rare balance of long-standing stability and forward momentum, supported by an inclusive team that honors tradition while embracing progress.
As a Fortune 100 mutual company, we offer a place to grow your skills, contribute to meaningful work, and deliver solutions that matter. Your ideas drive what's next, and your growth powers it.
Our Benefits
We provide a full package of benefits for employees - and have unique offerings for a modern workforce, including leave programs, adoption assistance, and student loan repayment programs. Based on feedback from our employees, we continue to refine and add benefits to our offering, so that you can flourish both inside and outside of work.Click hereto discover more about our comprehensive benefit options or visit our NYL Benefits Site.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
At New York Life, fostering an inclusive workplace is fundamental to who we are and how we serve our communities. We have a longstanding commitment to creating an environment where individuals can contribute their best and succeed together. This foundation is rooted in our core values of humanity and integrity, ensuring that every employee feels valued and supported. By embracing a broad range of perspectives and experiences, we achieve greater success and fulfill our promise of providing financial security and peace of mind to families across all communities. Click here to learn more about New York Life's leadership in this space.
Recognized as one of Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies, New York Life is committed to improving local communities through a culture of employee giving and volunteerism, supported by the Foundation. We're proud that due to our mutuality, we operate in the best interests of our policy owners. To learn more about career opportunities at New York Life, please visit the Careers page of www.NewYorkLife.com.
Visit our LinkedIn to see how our employees and agents are leading the industry and impacting communities.
Visit our Newsroom to learn more about how our company is constantly evolving to meet our clients' and employees' needs.
Job Requisition ID: 93922
About NY Life Insurance Company
Diversity & Humanity-two values that are deeply rooted in the New York Life culture and have laid the foundation for over 175 years of commitment to our employees, agents, policy owners, and the communities where we live and work. At New York Life you become a valued part of a welcoming, inclusive, and caring culture that has a long-standing legacy in stability and growth. The strength of New York Life revolves around our diversified, multi-dimensional business portfolio that goes beyond life insurance, and we want you to be a part of our legacy.
As a Fortune 100 company and industry leader, we provide an environment where you can explore your career ambitions, offering opportunities to tackle meaningful challenges and stretch your skills while balancing work and life priorities. You will be part of a diverse team guided by our belief to always be there for each other-providing the support and flexibility to grow and reach new heights while making an impact in the lives of others.
You are our future, and we commit to investing in you accordingly.
Visit our Linkedin to see how our employees and agents are leading the industry and impacting communities.
Visit our Newsroom to learn more about how our company is constantly evolving to meet our clients' and employees' needs.
Required Legal Notices - All Candidates Please Click Here