Flow Engineer

Description

Summary: The Flow Engineering role is a hands-on technical coach and delivery expert focused on optimizing the speed, efficiency, and quality of product development. Highlights: 1. Drive adoption of Lean, XP, and Agile principles to optimize flow metrics. 2. Mentor and coach development squads on flow-focused practices. 3. Support Product Owners in backlog prioritization and roadmap alignment. **Job Type:** Fixed Term**Build a brilliant future with Hiscox** **Role Overview** The Flow Engineering is a hands\-on technical coach and delivery expert focused on optimizing the speed, efficiency, and quality of product development across one or more Value Stream squads within the RE business unit. This role is critical for driving the adoption of **Lean, XP and Agile principles**, specifically targeting the improvement of **flow metrics** (Lead Time, Throughput, Efficiency) and the reduction of waste and friction within the delivery pipeline. You will mentor development squads, support Product Owners, and champion continuous improvement to enhance the overall value engine. **About Hiscox Re** Hiscox Re is located in **Bermuda and London** and underwrites reinsurance risks from around the world on behalf of our own and other people’s capital. The team of over 100 smart, enthusiastic individuals are committed to providing top quality service to brokers and clients across a broad range of reinsurance products. Our approach is simple; match the best underwriting risk against globally diversified capital. Our proactive, product\-led underwriting approach is complemented by a commitment to world class service and purpose\-built analytics and systems. We know our people are our biggest asset so finding and retaining the best talent is critical to achieving our vision. **Key Responsibilities** **1\. Delivery Flow Optimisation** * **Value Stream Mapping:** Collaborate with development squads and stakeholders to understand the end\-to\-end flow of value, from concept to delivery, actively identifying bottlenecks and opportunities for Lean process improvements. * **Flow Metrics \& Measurement:** Collect, analyse, and present data on key flow metrics (**Cycle Time, Lead Time, Throughput, WIP, Work Item Flow Efficiency**). Use these insights to drive process improvements and hold squads accountable for owning their flow. * **Continuous Improvement:** Champion a culture of continuous incremental delivery. Focus squads on working software and user satisfaction as the primary measures of progress, using data and stakeholder feedback to iterate on products and initiatives. * **Blocker Resolution:** Take **ownership** across multiple cross\-disciplined squads, actively assisting them in resolving external blockers, technical issues, and managing dependency reduction. Although the squads and product owners remain accountable for delivery and deployment of value on a frequent basis. **2\. Squad Coaching, Enablement, Culture and Health** * **Squad Mentoring:** Mentor and coach development squads on flow\-focused practices, empowering them to self\-organize and make decisions that improve their efficiency. Upskill stakeholders on Lean and Agile practices. * **Standards Definition:** Help squads define and adhere to their Definition of a Workflow, Service Level Expectations (SLEs), and Definition of Done (DoD) to ensure consistency and quality. * **Technical Practices:** Leverage your knowledge of technical subjects (SDLC, CI/CD pipelines, test automation, architecture) to guide squads in adopting modern engineering practices that enhance delivery flow. * **Team Culture:** work with the squads to improve the overall culture – that supports psychological safety, staff inclusivity and engagement – use regular survey results to help the squad identify positive actions that may improve culture over time. Encourage team members to get involved in communities of practice and share knowledge on a frequent basis with the wider Hiscox Technology Community. * **Squad Health \& Stakeholder Engagement:** work with the squad members to ensure work practices support sustainability and the resilience of its members. Ensure we can track squad health through metrics – allowing us to see when additional leadership support is needed. Also capture engagement metrics – as a lack of engagement from business stakeholders can have a dramatic impact on overall squad performance. Help to resolve any engagement issues if they do occur. **3\. Stakeholder \& Portfolio Support** * **Backlog Prioritisation Support:** Work closely with **Product Owners (POs)** to help them ensure backlogs are appropriately prioritized and roadmaps reflect **"delivery do\-ability."** Help POs manage late and ad\-hoc requests by balancing business priorities against existing delivery commitments. * **Communication \& Reporting:** Communicate the status of product development, flow improvements, and overall improvement initiatives. Present relevant flow and squad health and engagement data to stakeholders to aid effective business decision\-making. * **Facilitation and Collaboration** Leading and facilitate department events that support collaboration, knowledge‑sharing, and strategic priorities. * **Strategic Alignment:** Work alongside POs to ensure the delivery process aligns with clear business objectives and customer needs. Challenge requests or competing demands that would negatively impact existing delivery commitments. * **Chapter Contribution:** Work with the other members of the RE Flow Engineering, wider Hiscox Flow Engineering chapters and Product Owner Chapters to share knowledge, best practices, and contribute to the overall maturity of the practice. **Required Experience and Structure** * **Reporting:** Reports into the Re Flow Engineering Manager * **Key Partners:** Value Stream Product Managers and Product Owners, Development Squads (Engineers), Head of Strategic Change, and Head of Engineering. **Candidate Profile** The ideal candidate is an experienced, technically\-aware delivery lead er with a passion for continuous improvement and a strong background in Lean/Flow principles. You must be comfortable coaching technical teams, challenging stakeholders on delivery practices, and using data to drive optimal execution and maximum value creation within a complex product environment. Main experience required is: * Detailed knowledge of, and experience working with, Agile frameworks (e.g., Kanban, XP, Lean, Scrum). * 3\+ years’ experience in a dedicated delivery role (Product Owner, Flow Enablement Lead, Scrum Master). * Proven ability to understand and interpret **flow metrics**, identifying areas for improvement and coaching accountability. * Knowledge of technical subjects, including architecture, SDLC, CI/CD pipelines, test automation, and other modern engineering practices * Experience with delivery management tools (e.g. JIRA, Miro, Confluence, Azure DevOps). * Experience with support of live complex solutions, Incident/Problem management including major incident management. * Knowledge of project management, delivering within an environment of Programme / Portfolio of change. If you are a visionary with a growth mindset and a passion for driving positive change and transformation through creating a healthy culture, we invite you to apply for the position of Flow Engineering Lead at Hiscox Re. Join our team and be a catalyst for transformation in a dynamic and forward\-thinking organization. *Work with amazing people and be part of a unique culture*