Summary

Overview

Work History

Education

Skills

Certification

Timeline

SANTHOSH KUMAR N

Product Manager

Bangalore

Summary

Dedicated and versatile Insurance Specialist offering 19+ years Product Manager with 18+ years of experience in the Insurance domain, specializing in software product development and large-scale core insurance implementations across Life, Health, Annuity, Pension, and General Insurance. Proven expertise in defining product strategy, owning roadmaps, and delivering compliant, scalable insurance platforms. Strong background in Agile product management, API-driven platforms, stakeholder management, and data-driven decision-making. Extended expertise in Insurance Domain specializing in digital products across Life, Health, and annuities. Proven ability to translate business requirements into scalable products, lead cross functional teams, and drive growth through customer centric design, data driven decisions, and regulatory compliant solutions. and end to end implementation, customized solutions, in depth knowledge in add on products like Personal Accident, Critical illness, LTC, employee benefits etc.. Product manager with an enthusiasm for quality and expertise managing multi-functional teams to design, construct, promote, and oversee technologies. To establish product strategy, combine technological talents with considerable Agile/Scrum expertise, a marketing focus, and analytical ability. Evaluate and supervise various projects while adhering to specs and financial constraints. Skilled in implementing core system, automation, digitalization, underwriting and claims guidelines automation, process workflow, etc., with exceptional skills in handling aspects related to customer service in insurance and healthcare. Implemented an agile product development framework that accelerated the launch of new insurance products. Manage Product development lifecycle, including requirement gathering, user stories creation and acceptance criteria. Track product performance metrics and analyze data to identify area of improvement Work with cross-functional teams to develop and execute product strategy Stay up to date on industry trends and competitor offerings. Business Requirement GAP analysis to support new system development or significant enhancements to existing systems Adept at transforming complex business processes into simple-to-comprehend business requirements Adroit at analyzing and documenting business requirements through Good knowledge of system capabilities & business needs and work with development team to identify system solutions Ability to communicate and interface effectively with technology teams and support teams Skilled in System automation & UAT Credit of consistently delivering high-quality services to the business through informative, well-organized scope documents and business requirements Exhibits confidence and an extensive knowledge of emerging industry practices when solving business problems Uses qualitative and analytical methods to enhance or develop processes while providing analytical support for new proposals, projects and quality initiatives Highly articulate, demonstrating exceptional relationship building, communication, decision making, negotiation, analytical and interpersonal skills across all levels including management, employees and external agencies Adept at working in high pressure environments with strict deadlines and multiple deliverables to implement best practices that consistently deliver outstanding results Adept at Business analysis and structuring / reengineering of process to make them suitable for offshore business

Overview

Language

Certifications

years of professional experience

Work History

Product Manager - Insurance implementations

CoverGo

07.2025 - Current

Define product strategy and create/maintain the product roadmap.
Conduct market research, analyze user needs, and incorporate feedback into product development.
Implementation of Group Employee benefit products.
Prioritize product features based on business value and customer impact, making informed trade-offs between cost, time, and quality.
Gather, specify, and refine software requirements, translating business goals into detailed user stories and technical specifications.
Collaborate with development teams to deliver product features/releases on schedule.
Track product performance using metrics, and present updates to stakeholders.
Manage the product lifecycle, including ideation, development, launch, and end-of-life.
Analyze market data, monitor competitors, and adapt strategy to maximize product impact.
Ensure successful delivery of products that meet revenue/engagement goals and customer satisfaction targets.
Represent the software development team's interests with stakeholders and customers
Plan and execute end-to-end software product implementation projects for Life and Health Insurance, including creating project timelines and allocating resources.
Gather client requirements, ensuring product customization and configuration meet business needs.
Lead cross-functional teams (client, sales, tech, support) for coordinated delivery and troubleshooting.
Perform system integration and data migration from legacy systems
Develop documentation for configuration details, implementation processes, and best practices.
Track project progress, budget, risks, and client satisfaction, delivering on business objectives.
Designing and implementation of Rules Engine for the core platform.
Client: Top EB insurance company
Location: Canada
Product: Employee Benefits (Life, Health, CI, TPD, Terminal Illness, STD, LTD) Insurance products implementation.
Successfully led the end-to-end implementation of an employee benefits insurance product within the core insurance platform, coordinating cross-functional teams across business, product, development, testing, and operations.
Ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and client-specific benefit configurations.
Streamlined enrolment, policy administration, and claims workflows, improving operational efficiency and reducing manual processing efforts.
Implemented claim auto adjudication and compliance and regulatory flow using rule engine.

Product Manager (Life and Health) - Insurance Product consulting and Implementation

Damco Solutions

07.2021 - 06.2025

Lead the end-to-end product strategy and development for digital insurance platforms serving for Life, Health, Pensions.
Defined product roadmap aligning with market trends, regulatory requirements, and customer insights.
Create & drive the product road map, that shapes the vision and direction for the product to ensure every intent from the goal is aligned to the business objectives.
Successful product implementation of Group - Life and Health, Individual - Life and Health
Own & ensure stability/quality of the product and is future ready.
Translate business goals into detailed user stories and functional specifications.
Prioritize backlog based on customer impact, regulatory needs, and business value.
Responsible for driving key initiatives to balance the customer requirements with organization vision.
Track product performance metrics and continuously optimize product outcomes.
Own and track product function and performance. Monitor all aspects of products such as regional and legal requirements.
Plan for product releases and ensure high quality releases.
Lead cross-functional teams across engineering, sales, and clients for end-to-end delivery.
Research and understand the competitive landscape pertaining to company service offerings. Keep abreast of market trends, product & competitor for their product lines.
Own the entire SDLC process for Insurance products in Agile environment.
Led pre-sales demos, solutioning, and proposal creation for global clients.
Oversee the designing, development and testing of various product features as per the product roadmap.
Participate in product presales by creating demos and understanding customer expectations, requirements. Also participate in pre-sales activities toward creating collaterals, giving demos, creating artifacts, preparing proposals etc.
Partner, mentor and monitor effective team utilization, timely team augmentation, upbeat team motivation, retention and growth
Managing sprint planning, daily stand ups and Retrospective meetings
Independently execute plans while working with key stake holders
Ensure projects are process complaint, tracked, shared ontime.
Understand Insurance domain regulations and advise clients on the implementation.
Implemented AI-powered underwriting and risk scoring models, reducing turnaround time and improving risk accuracy
Enabled fraud detection models using behavioral and transactional data, increasing fraud identification rate
Built AI-driven customer service tools (chatbots, virtual assistants) for policy servicing and claims inquiries
Success Stories:
Successfully build the end-to-end health product from scratch.
Success full implementation of the product with various business lines - Life, Health for multiple clients across Middle east and south America Region

Team Manager - Insurance Product consulting and Implementation

NTT Data

06.2018 - 04.2021

Document and Communicate business requirements for features and functions to be incorporated in the product - document requirements in use cases, screen mockups, charts/ workflows.
Drive demos and presentations to customers and partners
Drive product releases and progress toward each milestone.
Coordinate with clients to understand their workflow and process flows
Providing innovative solutions to client with analytical skills.
Elicitation, Requirements Analysis, Documentation, Gap Analysis and Functional Requirement Document
Document preparation like BRD, Scope document, HLD, LLD etc.
Work closely with multi-site virtual teams (Business users, Vendor, Development, QA and Project Managers) to ensure timely delivery of tasks /projects
Convert requirements into User Stories.
Lead the coordination and preparation of UAT strategy, UAT plan and UAT cases; and to execute UAT for system development.
Understanding the client insurance product features and actuarial worksheets and perform the set up in system
Lead the team to define and develop solution alternatives, review, suggest improvements and present the recommended solution alternatives to the customer. Business process modelling
Guide the team in designing a solution in line with the business / IT requirements. Plan configuration and development with the Project Manager, resolve product issues, work with the customer to get requirement clarifications and user sign-offs on key changes in order to complete configuration /customization
Train new clients on the essentials of systems to get them started on implementations
Guide and lead the consultants in customization in line with customer requirements, help in resolution of issues. Review test plans, cases and execution reports and perform sample testing to gauge the quality and take corrective actions.
Participate in all sales meetings and prepare and analyze all information and design proposals for clients
Identify areas for process improvement within the Professional Services organization and make recommendations to Management
Develop risk mitigation plans
Determine the scope of the implementation technology solution and the resources required to successfully complete
Conduct implementation pilots and help customer envision final solution
Manage and execute project tasks and communicate timely with stakeholders
Liaise with Technical and development team to Ensure customer requirements are met.
Advise the development team of any product problems identified
End user support, preparation of user manuals.
Projects:
Client: 2 top insurance companies
Location: Iran
Duration: June 2018 to May 2019
Product: Life, Annuity and Health Insurance products implementation.
Project Description
Core insurance system delivery for the two key insurance companies in Iran. Deployment of various products across different LOB's (Life, Health and P& C).
As part of this project, I am responsible as senior consultant to implement end to end system based on requirement. My responsibilities include leading Blueprint phase base on the POC of the project. I lead a team of consultant business analyst and junior consultant to carry out requirement phase, process re-engineering and solution designing. Other responsibilities include:
Perform analysis and gather requirement, identify and assess business impacts and risks.
Prioritize requirements and negotiate on deployment timeframes on behalf of development team
Managing the functional aspects of the new requirement
Configuration of Rules and Rating setups
Documents preparation
Execute business acceptance testing including preparation of test plans, execution of test cases, documentation of results and filing the defects.
Managing UAT and Releases.
Defects closure and management
System walks through and user manual preparation for End user
Process Re-engineering
Client Location: Chile, Santiago.
Duration: May 2019 to July 2020
Product: Unemployment Insurance
Project Description
The Unemployment Fund Management Company of Chile) is a closed corporation, whose sole and exclusive purpose is to administer two Funds, called Severance Fund and Solidarity Unemployment Fund, and grant and administer the benefits and benefits that establishes Law on Unemployment Insurance.
As part of this project, I am responsible as senior consultant to implement end to end system based on AFC's requirement. My responsibilities include leading Blueprint phase base on the POC of the project. I lead a team of consultant business analyst and junior consultant to carry out requirement phase, process re-engineering and solution designing. Other responsibilities include:
Delivery Management
On-Site off-shore co-ordination
Stakeholder Management
Requirement Management
Conflict resolution and management
Handling the team of BA's for the modules of Benefits & Payments and Collections
Demo to customer
UAT and quality management in JIRA
Preparation of user manual
Rules and Rating Configuration
System Training to operation team
Produce ad-hoc SQL queries/ reports to monitor the success of new requirement by ensuring data is created as it should.
Project Name: NTT Data Channel Portal (B2B, B2C)
Client & Location: Product Tower, Bangalore
Duration: August 2020 to till date
Product: B2B and B2C portals
Project Description
Part of the NTTData product team, managing the channel portal functional team. Responsible for managing the stability and functionality of the portals (B2B, B2C). Market research of new features and implementing in the product.
Engage customers or project team to understand and document their requirements.
Communicate requirements to technical team through requirements specification documents and data models.
Support and validate development of the software such that it meets the desired requirements.
Assist product roll out and demonstrate features to the end customer.
Prioritizing the items in the product backlog. Specify the definition-of-done for backlog items in cooperation with the Product Owner and the product team.
Market research of new features.
Implementing new features to the product.
Preparation of end-to-end user manual and for new features.

Manager - Life New business and Underwriting services

TCS

11.2016 - 06.2018

Managing offshore Life New business and Underwriting team for one of the largest North American Insurance Company
Underwriting case reviews and risk assessment
Developing and preparation of customized APS summaries
Rationalization of underwriting requirements
Cost-benefit analyzes for requirements, processes improvement
Managing the accelerated underwriting process (Reinsurance underwriting process using predictive analysis)
Updating Debits/credits serve as a reflection of the risk in risk assessment sheet
Evaluate, interpret, affect, classify, bind and act on individual applications and benefits (Initial Application review, MIB verification, MVR, Teleapp, and personal health interview reports )
Provides technical assistance to internal and external customers regarding coverage interpretations, policy and endorsement provisions, and underwriting acceptability for Life Insurance coverage.
Interpret policy contract language/forms and uses approved classification systems, rating plans and selection standards to determine eligibility, desirability and proper classification/pricing.
Developing the RFP and working with presales team in acquiring new logos/accounts on underwriting offerings and capabilities.
Managing complete life new business offshore team (app keying to Inforce)
Implementing new process improvement ideas for faster TAT and attaining higher quality standards
Conduct Due Diligence for new proposals
Involved in solution planning for deals
Lead the offshore effort to provide timely, high quality responses to various Request for Information (RFI) and Request for Proposal (RFP)
Managing End to End BPO transitions.

Manager- Control and Change Consultant

TCS

02.2016 - 06.2018

Performing control and change consultant role for one of the largest North American Insurance Company
Control Consultant
Liaison between Compliance and the business and assists and/or oversees control initiatives by developing, implementing, and following up on corrective and proactive action plans.
Control checks solution and implementations - for claims and policy servicing modules
Ensures that all administrative activities are consistent with company policy and insurance and securities rules and regulations.
Reviews internal and external audits, complaints and concerns with compliance and the business and assists in developing corrective measures and implementation.
May develop and maintain a compliance review program. Assists senior staff or may perform own audits of processes to ensure compliance with stated procedures. Assists in identifying issues and developing action plans and responds to related inquiries.
Perform audits verifying action plans are implemented properly and timely
Coordinates training and communication with designated compliance personnel.
Change Consultant
Manages all aspects of small projects and/or phases of larger projects to implement new and/or modified processes, procedures, and/or initiatives
Translates business needs into requirements
Develops detailed work plans, schedules, project estimates, resource plans, and status reports.
Supports with project meetings and responsible for project tracking and analysis
Provides updates to business leadership regarding project status and the application and implementation of new or revised procedures, processes, and/or initiatives
Designs, implements, and monitors the progress of initiatives & milestones to ensure timeliness and deliverables are met
Provide information and/or training to end users to help resolve inquiries related to assigned processes, procedures, and/or initiatives
Manages updates procedures in Process Maps/SOPs and submits to intake process for approvals/sign off. Ensures SOPs are updated with most current procedures

Deputy Manager - Underwriting & Medical Network

Exide Life Insurance

05.2006 - 01.2016

Key Deliverables:
Insurance / Risk Management:
Process applications / related documents and convert them into policies by scrutinizing them thoroughly
Advise clients on cover limits, premium rates, terms and conditions
Identify opportunities in the processes and work collaboratively with internal departments in finding solutions viable for customers
Underwrite new & existing businesses and accept / reject insurance coverage within limits set in the underwriting policy and individual authority limits
Handle the Insurance Claims Administration process ensuring prompt intimation to Insurers, follow-up & negotiation until the claim is finally settled to the best interest of the organization
Ensure all services comply with all regulatory authorities and statutory requirements
Underwriting authority of INR 10,000,000,000 (Medical and Non-medical)
Mortgage & GTL process management
Medical Network:
Monitor all medical reports received at the HO and ensure they are updated in system promptly
Verify and approve bills received from service providers for appropriateness
Maintain database of all bills received & processed and obtain acknowledgements of DD received by vendors ; check bills for accuracy on a monthly basis
Involve in managing TPAs, monitoring / analyzing medical costs and DC usage
Money Laundering & Reputation Risk Mitigation:
Advice and assist Senior Management & internal departments and control units in identifying, containing and minimizing relevant risks; recommend, review and evaluate policies, procedures, practices & products to address the same
Put up amendments to the KYC AML policy for approval on a need basis
Ensure timely sharing of data with regulatory & compliance team
Relationship Management:
Maintain healthy business relations with Managers, Heads of various departments, Finance Managers, Insurance Brokers, Insurers and Surveyors / Loss Adjusters
Establish and maintain, strong and productive relationships with the Management to ensure varied and changing service requirements of the business are understood and incorporated into a framework for continuous improvement
Attend to and resolve all queries / service requests / complaints raised by customers ensuring complete adherence to preset standards / guidelines
Resolve clients' concerns / issues and suggest methods for prompt resolution by interacting with them and gathering their feedback on services provided
System Enhancements:
Providing requirements for system enhancements on behalf of the Underwriting and New business departments (AS 400/Sprint/Workflow)
Business analysis for the new products and for the change requests
Analyzing the prepared test cases and validating against the requirements for sharing to User acceptance testing (UAT)
Development of individual system for mortgage & GTL process
Formerly known as ING Vysya life insurance
Noteworthy Credits:
Successfully outsourced medical network to improve TAT and more geographical activities
Thoroughly reviewed and analyzed underwriting guidelines
Successfully automated systems for Jet underwriting (requirement & TCD sharing, UAT & handling production issues
Efficiently handled the common new business project, an upgraded system for proposal login to issuance
Successfully increased the STP percentage up to 80 % of the total business logins.
Part of the Brand transition team ( ING to Exide)
Successfully implemented the controls in claims process resulting in achieving the higher qualities and meeting the regulatory requirements.
Completed the underwriting transition to offshore within the timelines with requisite quality.
Insurance system implementation to the clients
Implementation of core insurance system for two clients.
Implementation of the unemployment insurance product for the government organization
End to End product implementation of Group Life and Health/ Individual Life and Health across multiple clients in Middle East and South American region.

Education

MBA - HR & Operations

National Institute of Business Management

01-2009

PG Diploma - Bio-Informatics

University of Mysore

01-2005

B Sc - undefined

Bangalore University

01-2003

Skills

Insurance products: Life / Health / P&C

Agile / Scrum / Product Ownership

Regulatory & Compliance (HIPPA, KYC/AML)

Stakeholder & Client Management

UAT, Release & Quality Management

Digital Transformation and Insurtech Solutions

Product strategy and Road mapping

Requirement Gathering & PRD's/User stories

API & Digital Platform Products

Insurance Software Platforms (PAS, Claims, Underwriting, Distribution, Reinsurance)

UX Research and customer journey mapping