Job Description

Principal, Professional Services (German speaking)

The Principal will remain engaged and accountable for the full scope of the transformation program for the cloud program. This role will also oversee internal and external communication for their assigned customer cloud implementations. As strategic consultants, they will help customers maximize Guidewire's current and future offerings. Additionally, they will advocate for customers' needs with partners and internal teams while being accountable for the portfolio's financial performance and revenue growth. 

Responsibilities include:

• DACH Market specialism

• Customer Success and Program Management

• Sales Support and Opportunity Management

• Account and Resource Management

• Internal Advocacy and Collaboration

DACH Market specialism 

• Fluent written and spoken German is required

• Expert in insurance with in-depth knowledge of at least one market within the DACH region, confident in customer and partner engagements promoting Guidewire ability to meet market needs

• Primary responsibility will be the DACH region

• Collaborates effectively with cross-functional DACH team over multiple accounts 

• Awareness of existing market systems and solution ecosystem, understanding complementary and competing solutions

Customer Success and Program Management 

• Accountable for the success of Guidewire Cloud implementations, coordinating all roles across assigned projects and ensuring execution of critical steps in cloud transformation. 

• Manages customer adoption and holds them accountable to key standards, including performance testing and success criteria. 

• Leads strategic dialogues to leverage GWCP features and integrates key considerations into future planning and capacity management.

Sales Support and Opportunity Management 

• Supports the sales team on GWCP opportunities, collaborating on proposal responses and accompanying PS opportunities. Ensures accuracy of Bookings Opportunities and manages small-value opportunities independently. 

• Develops program plans with cost estimates and establishes margin expectations for implementation proposals.

Account and Resource Management 

• Accountable for a portfolio of accounts, ensuring consistent practices and success across customers. 

• Manages staffing projections and resolves cross-portfolio staffing conflicts by coordinating with relevant teams

Internal Advocacy and Collaboration 

• Advocates for cloud engagements internally, managing relationships with partners and Guidewire resources. 

• Collaborates with Product Development on portfolio needs and plans handover to BAU and CS teams upon program completion. Provides concise updates to PS regional leadership, VPs, and Portfolio Directors (EMEA)

Competency/Skills Requirement

• Accountable: Takes accountability for customer engagement and internal metrics (P&L, cross-team collaboration, services growth, client sat).

• Financial Management: Has experience managing P&L for customer accounts and effectively manages the P&L for customer accounts; understands the Guidewire sales process and can effectively lead conversations pre- and post-sale about current and potential offerings.

• Collaborative: Builds credibility across departments to support cross-team collaboration required to support the customer and the Engagement Manager leading the execution. 

• Sales Support: Strong sales acumen with an entrepreneurial mindset, capable of identifying and creating new sales opportunities through strategic thinking and proactive engagement. 

• Team player: Proven ability to work collaboratively and adhere to processes with other PS stakeholders, including PS Operations, Digital, Data, InsuranceSuite, and GSC practices. 

• Influential: Understands the customer and guides the customer and SIs towards the best possible outcome. 

• Strategic: Anticipates customer needs, risks, and issues and effectively manages complex issues. 

• Guidewire Knowledge: Understands the Guidewire catalog and capabilities at a high level. 

• High-Level Technical Knowledge: Understanding of cloud and technical terminology is desirable. 

• Cloud Knowledge: Understand Guidewire Cloud and maintain AWS certification. 

• Insurance Industry Knowledge: Understand Insurance Industry for the country/region in which they specialise. Active participant in-market, for example, presence on market associations, trading bodies, or representative at trade shows, panel speaking etc. 

• Travel: Travel will be required as part of this role (up to 50%)