Senior Innovation Manager
Title: Senior Innovation Manager
Location: Austin, TX / Morristown, NJ
Reports To: Chief of Staff
About Hippo:
Hippo was built on a promise: make homeownership effortless. Nearly a decade later, that mission still drives us. We use technology and data to help our customers stay ahead of problems and protect what matters most.
Today, that same tech-native approach powers our work beyond homeowners. Hippo operates as a diversified carrier platform, partnering with MGAs to deliver tailored program solutions that help them grow and deliver better customer experiences. Behind that work is a team that values ownership, curiosity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
If you're energized by building what's next, we'd love to meet you.
About You:
You are a curious, well-connected InsurTech generalist who lives at the intersection of insurance, technology, and data. You don't wait for innovation to come to you - you're constantly scanning the market for what's next: emerging vendors, new data sources, AI/automation tools, InsurTech startups, MGA and program partners, and shifts in underwriting, claims, and distribution technology. You know how to turn a wide, noisy landscape into a short list of things worth a leadership conversation.
You're comfortable operating independently as an individual contributor at a senior level - you don't need a team under you to have impact. You can hold your own in a room with executives, translate a vendor pitch into a business case, and know the difference between a shiny object and something that actually moves the needle for Hippo. You're equally comfortable running a competitive landscape analysis, evaluating a new data partner, and briefing the C-suite on where the industry is headed.
What You'll Do:
- Own Hippo's ongoing view of the InsurTech and adjacent-industry landscape - tracking emerging vendors, technologies, data sources, and startups relevant to underwriting, claims, distribution, and customer experience
- Build and maintain a structured pipeline of innovation opportunities (vendors, partnerships, data providers, tools) with clear evaluation criteria and business relevance
- Proactively source and vet new vendors and partners; run initial diligence (capabilities, data quality, pricing, integration complexity, competitive differentiation) before looping in stakeholders
- Partner directly with leadership and department heads (Underwriting, Claims, Product, Data Science, Distribution) to understand their priorities and surface innovations that address real business needs
- Translate market scans and vendor research into clear, decision-ready recommendations - memos, briefings, and comparison frameworks that leadership can act on quickly
- Monitor industry data sources, research reports, conferences, and competitor moves to maintain Hippo's awareness of where the market is heading
- Manage relationships with a network of vendors, InsurTech scouts, VCs, and industry contacts to maintain early visibility into emerging opportunities
- Track and report on the innovation pipeline - what's been evaluated, what's in progress, what's been piloted, and outcomes - to keep leadership informed on ROI and progress
- Represent Hippo at relevant industry events, conferences, and vendor briefings as the eyes and ears of the organization on emerging trends
- Partner closely with the Chief of Staff and, as needed, the CEO's office to keep executive leadership current on the innovation landscape and to align scouting priorities with company-wide strategic initiatives
Must Haves:
- 5+ years of experience in insurance, InsurTech, or a related technology/data industry, with meaningful exposure to underwriting, claims, or insurance operations
- Demonstrated experience evaluating vendors, technologies, or data partnerships and translating findings into business recommendations
- Strong analytical skills; comfortable digging into vendor capabilities, data quality, and competitive positioning without needing a research team to do it for you
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to brief senior leadership clearly and concisely
- A demonstrated network or track record of staying plugged into industry trends, startups, and emerging technology (via conferences, VC relationships, industry publications, etc.)
- Highly self-directed; proven ability to manage ambiguous, self-initiated work as an individual contributor at a senior level
- Comfortable working cross-functionally with Underwriting, Claims, Product, and Data Science stakeholders
Nice to Haves:
- Experience in property & casualty insurance specifically
- Prior experience in a corporate innovation, corporate venture, competitive intelligence, or strategy role
- Existing relationships with InsurTech VCs, accelerators, or startup ecosystems
- Familiarity with AI/ML, automation, or data platform vendors relevant to insurance operations
Benefits and Perks
Hippo treats its team members with the same level of dedication and care as we do our customers, which is why we're fortunate to provide all of our Hippos with:
- Healthy Hippos Benefits - Multiple medical plan options, 100% covered dental and vision for you and your family, and a wellness program that rewards healthy habits. We also offer a 401(k)-retirement plan, short & long-term disability, employer-paid life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for health and dependent care, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Equity - This position is eligible for equity compensation
- Training and Career Growth - Training and internal career growth opportunities
- Flexible Time Off - You know when and how you should recharge
- Little Hippos Program - We offer 12 weeks of parental leave for primary and secondary caregivers
- Hippo Habitat - Snacks and drinks available and catered lunches for onsite employees
The Morristown, NJ base pay range for this role is $147,000- $220,000. Exact compensation may vary based on several job-related factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to: skill set, experience, education/training, location, business needs and market demands.
Hippo is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a team culture that celebrates diversity and inclusion. Hippo's applicants are considered solely based on their qualifications, without regard to an applicant's disability or need for accommodation. Any Hippo applicant who requires reasonable accommodations during the application process should contact the Hippo's People Team to make the need for an accommodation known.