Approvals Group Manager

Established nearly two centuries ago, FM is a leading mutual insurance company whose capital, scientific research capability and engineering expertise are solely dedicated to property risk management and the resilience of its policyholder-owners. These owners, who share the belief that the majority of property loss is preventable, represent many of the world’s largest organizations, including one of every four Fortune 500 companies. They work with FM to better understand the hazards that can impact their business continuity to make cost-effective risk management decisions, combining property loss prevention with insurance protection.

The FM Approvals Group Manager – Laboratory Operations leads the people, programs, facilities, and technical activities required to deliver reliable, relevant, and globally recognized loss-prevention product testing and certification services. This role ensures that laboratory and approvals activities are performed safely, efficiently, and with the highest standards of technical integrity while meeting the needs of FM Approvals. The manager develops a high-performing team, establishes priorities and operating plans, manages resources and budgets, advances laboratory capabilities, communicates program status, and supports growth of the certification and testing business.

• Serve as a member of the management team and contribute to operating plans, strategic priorities, key result areas, action plans, and short- and long-term objectives.

• Recruit, lead, develop, coach, mentor, and retain a technically competent and motivated team of exempt and non-exempt employees; establish clear individual and group objectives and manage performance and compensation recommendations.

• Create an inclusive, high-performance team culture that supports collaboration, accountability, change management, conflict resolution, and staff development.

• Direct laboratory activities to ensure technically sound examination, testing, certification, and risk-service support for reliable, identifiable, available, and relevant loss-prevention products and services.

• Coordinate and prioritize schedules for FM Approvals and Risk Service testing across applicable laboratories and facilities.

• Provide technical leadership, maintain awareness of relevant technologies, standards, regulations, and industry developments, and ensure appropriate test methods, equipment, data analysis, and conclusions.

• Assist with developing operating and capital budgets, monitor expenses and cost performance, and allocate resources in support of the overall business plan.

• Plan and execute maintenance, improvement, and capital initiatives for laboratory equipment, data acquisition and process-control systems, facilities, and building systems.

• Ensure personnel, equipment, and assigned space are used effectively and safely, in full support of established safety, environmental, and compliance objectives.

• Manage complex projects, schedules, and operational priorities within resource constraints, using disciplined and collaborative decision-making and problem-solving approaches.

• Communicate program, project, operational, and financial status to management and key stakeholders, and represent the organization credibly with customers and industry participants.

• Support the growth, stability, recognition, and technical credibility of the FM Approvals and testing business through responsive customer service, sound business practices, and continuous improvement.

• Provide visible leadership beyond the immediate group and support broader organizational objectives.

Qualifications

• Education and technical experience: Advanced degree in engineering or another relevant technical discipline preferred. A master’s degree with at least 10 years of related experience, or a bachelor’s degree with at least 12 years of related experience. An MBA is a plus.

• Leadership experience: At least 7 years of management or supervisory experience in a laboratory, operating, manufacturing, testing, certification, or similarly complex technical environment, including leadership of exempt and non-exempt staff.

• Demonstrated mastery in a relevant technical area and thorough knowledge of applicable product-testing standards, test methods, equipment, certification practices, and industry requirements.

• Proven experience managing people, projects, budgets, schedules, facilities, and complex operations while implementing plans and balancing competing priorities.

• Working knowledge of expense and capital budgeting, expense monitoring, cost accounting, resource allocation, and business planning.

• Experience leading within a strong safety and environmental compliance culture.

• Strong technical judgment, including the ability to analyze test data, apply a methodical problem-solving approach, and draw sound conclusions.

• Excellent organizational and project-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong client-facing, customer-service, influencing, negotiation, presentation, and business-development skills.

• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and collaborative communication skills.

• Effective coaching, mentoring, consensus-building, conflict-resolution, and change-management skills.

• Solid business acumen and the ability to evaluate costs, benefits, risks, and resource tradeoffs.

• High integrity, self-motivation, sound judgment, and a commitment to continuous learning.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and relevant computerized planning and management tools.

The final salary offer will vary based on geographic location, individual education, skills, and experience. The position is eligible to participate in FM's comprehensive Total Rewards program that includes an incentive plan, generous health and well-being programs, a 401(k) and pension plan, career development opportunities, tuition reimbursement, flexible work, time off allowances and much more. FM is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse workforce.