Director, Market Research & Innovation

The Director, Innovation & Market Research is responsible for covering the sectors & companies that matter most to Assurant to help support the overall strategy of the company.  The candidate should possess a deep understanding of their coverage universe and will work closely with business leaders across Assurant to communicate relevant trends and opportunities within their industries. Looking for a fixed income, investment banking, consulting, or equity analyst, preferably with experience covering financials, retail, auto, telecom or the technology sectors.  The ideal candidate will be a big picture thinker, with the ability to connect-the-dots across an evolving landscape to spot key industry trends. The position offers high upside & visibility across the organization. This is a remote opportunity.

What will my duties and responsibilities be in this job?

• Develop thought leadership on specific industries (Auto, Telecom, Financials, Retail, Technology) covering relevant trends across over 100 clients, prospects & competitors across our global footprint.

• Connect the dots across clients, businesses and geographies to form big picture views on major trends relevant to Assurant’s various business lines 

• Write concise fundamental research publications with value-added perspectives and differentiated views, which ties external trends to opportunities & risks for Assurant. 

• Oversee a market intelligence function that is strategic, proactive, and facilitates information and intelligence flows across various stakeholders

• Leverage thought leadership to become an integral part of the leadership team of the relevant Assurant business line, providing market research & intellectual curiosity to support the overall businesses strategy to defend, develop & disrupt their respective industries

• Interface directly with clients as part of RFP’s, quarterly business reviews, or brainstorming sessions, while providing concise summaries of key trends & potential opportunities for the CEO to review with key clients & prospects

• Provide CEO, CFO & Investor relations concise summary of key quarterly trends needed to prepare for quarterly earnings, investor day or investor meetings

• Provide key trends for business unit deep dives with the board and CEO interim reports to Assurant’s Board of Directors

• Complete business case analysis for new product opportunities for Assurant, as well as ongoing dialogue with product leaders, keeping them informed for client & competitor activity to ensure we are skating where the puck is going.

• Leverage sector expertise to help identify & diligence acquisition opportunities.

What are the requirements needed for this position?

• A bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, accounting, business administration, or a related field.

• A minimum of 3 years of fundamental market research covering a specific sector.

• Experience covering Telecom, Technology, Automotive, Retail, or Financial Services preferred, but not required.

• Formal credit or equity training at a buy side or sell side firm is a plus

• MBA and/or CFA Charter (or progress towards) preferred

• Highly autonomous and self-motivated work ethic; demonstrating sound judgment, initiative, and an ability to manage multiple priorities with a sense of urgency.

• Ability to understand business strategy and basic financial aspects of business ventures.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization internally and externally.

• The ability to advocate for potential opportunities & risks identified during fundamental research.

• Proven analytic skills to identify trends & quantify potential impacts & opportunities

• Well-honed interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with numerous work teams.

• Great organizational skills and the ability to complete multiple complex tasks in a timely fashion.

What are the working conditions and physical requirements of this job?  

This position requires incumbents to regularly sit at a desk and operate standard office equipment such as a computer and phone.  Employee is occasionally required to stand and walk, lift, carry and/or move up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.  Must be able to talk and hear.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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Pay Range:

Any posted pay range considers a wide range of compensation factors, including candidate background, experience and work location, while also allowing for salary growth within the position.

Expected application deadline is

If date is blank then this is a pipeline requisition, and we will continue to collect applications on an ongoing basis.

Helping People Thrive in a Connected World
Connect with us. Bring us your best work and your brightest ideas. And we’ll bring you a place where you can thrive. Learn more at jobs.assurant.com.

For U.S. benefit information, visit myassurantbenefits.com. For benefit information outside the U.S., please speak with your recruiter.

What’s the culture like at Assurant?
Our unique culture is a big reason why talented people choose Assurant. Named a Best/Great Place to Work in 13 countries and awarded the Fortune America’s Most Innovative Companies recognition in 2023, we bring together top talent around the world. Although we have a wide variety of skills and experiences, we share common characteristics that are uniquely Assurant. A passion for service. An ability to innovate in practical ways. And a willingness to take chances. We call our culture The Assurant Way.

Company Overview
Assurant is a leading global business services company that supports, protects, and connects major consumer purchases. A Fortune 500 company with a presence in 21 countries, Assurant supports the advancement of the connected world by partnering with the world’s leading brands to develop innovative solutions and deliver an enhanced customer experience through mobile device solutions, extended service contracts, vehicle protection services, renters insurance, lender-placed insurance products, and other specialty products.

Equal Opportunity Statement
Assurant is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not use or consider race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in employment decisions.