The College of Insurance and Professional Studies

Career opportunities

General Manager Job Description

The College of Insurance & Professional Studies (CIPS) is the premier educational institution serving the Caribbean insurance industry and the wider community. Established in 1980 and registered with the University Council of Jamaica, CIPS provides high-quality technical and professional programmes designed to develop competent, innovative insurance professionals. The College supports insurers, brokers, agents and individuals in achieving their learning and business objectives, and is recognised for its commitment to knowledge, professionalism and integrity. The General Manager plays a critical role in advancing this mission by ensuring that CIPS’s programmes, governance, partnerships and systems remain relevant, credible and aligned with industry and regulatory needs.

Role Summary

The General Manager provides overall leadership and direction for the College, operating within the policies, budgets and objectives set by the Board of Directors. The role defines and executes the College’s mission to meet the needs of the insurance industry and its regulators, while ensuring that programmes are relevant, transparent and delivered to high academic and professional standards.

The General Manager leads strategic and annual planning, oversees curriculum quality and accreditation, guides governance and compliance, and ensures financial sustainability. A major part of the role is strengthening CIPS’s reputation as the Caribbean’s leading insurance training institution by building strong partnerships, advancing thought leadership and maintaining meaningful engagement with stakeholders. The GM ensures CIPS continues to evolve and support the growth, competence and professionalism of the regional insurance sector.industry and its regulators, while ensuring that programmes are relevant, transparent and delivered to high academic and professional standards.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Curriculum Oversight & Academic Quality

a) Strategic Curriculum Direction

Set the academic direction and ensure all programmes reflect modern insurance practice, regulatory expectations and emerging risks.
Approve programme frameworks, learning outcomes and major curriculum changes proposed by the Programmes Administrator or Board of Studies.
Ensure the curriculum is transparent, structured and aligned to recognised professional pathways.

b) Regulatory & Accreditation Alignment

Lead the College’s compliance with FSC, UCJ, Data Protection Act and international accreditation standards.
Approve accreditation submissions and programme audits prepared by the Programmes Administrator.
Ensure all programmes include relevant regulatory, AML/CFT, market conduct
and data-protection requirements.

c) Quality Assurance & Academic Governance

Establish policies and standards for academic quality, lecturer qualifications and programme evaluation.
Oversee the quality assurance framework, review high-level findings and set operational standards for evaluations and student feedback systems.
Ensure published programme information is accurate, comprehensive and professionally presented.

d) Digital Learning & Modern Delivery

Define the strategic vision for digital learning, blended instruction, micro-credentials and online programme development.
Approve enhancements to learning technology, online programme designs and new digital learning products.

e) Academic Risk Management

Identify and monitor academic risks (quality, compliance, reputational) and ensure effective mitigation.
Review escalated academic or student issues, ensuring they are resolved using documented standards.

2. Governance, Compliance & Reporting

a) Governance Transparency

Maintain a clear governance structure, including the Board, Academic Board, Advisory Council and senior leadership.
Conduct periodic governance reviews to ensure academic and operational policies remain current, compliant and effective.

b) Regulatory Compliance

Ensure full compliance with FSC guidelines, UCJ requirements, AML/CFT obligations data protection and other statutory standards.

c) Provide reports to the Board every two months and annually on academic quality, compliance, risks, and programme outcomes.

d) Risk & Reputation Management

Maintain a risk register for academic, operational and reputational risks.
Ensure systems are in place to maintain accurate, professional and current public-facing information, including the website and programme materials.

3. Industry Engagement & Sector Development

a) Partnership Development

Build and maintain structured partnerships with insurers, reinsurers, brokers, adjusters, loss assessors, professional bodies and regulators.
Lead the strategy for customised training solutions aligned with the needs of corporate partners and government agencies.

b) Industry Advisory Council

Establish and lead an Industry & Regulatory Advisory Council to ensure curriculum relevance and identify emerging skill requirements.
Publish an annual Insurance Education & Industry Alignment Report summarising key trends and curriculum adjustments.

c) Thought Leadership

Position CIPS as a visible leader in insurance competence, regulatory change and consumer outcomes through articles, events and seminars.
Host an annual conference that brings together the regulator, insurers, brokers and agents.

4. Operations & Administrative Management

Manage budgeting, forecasting, cost control and revenue generation to ensure financial sustainability.
Lead the modernisation of administrative workflows by implementing efficient systems, clear procedures and strong internal controls.
Oversee facilities, digital learning systems, classroom utilisation and administrative operations.
Ensure compliance with health, safety, procurement, data protection and other internal policies.
Provide oversight of Insurance House Limited, including property management, tenant relations, cost-of-services reporting and statutory obligations.

5. People Leadership

Lead, coach and develop a high-performing administrative and academic team.
Use established HR systems to strengthen talent development, ensuring effective performance management, training pathways and succession planning.
Build a professional, customer-focused culture based on ethics, accountability and transparent communication.
Act as a visible role model for professionalism and continuous improvement.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Technical Competencies:

Expert knowledge of insurance operations, legislation, market conduct standards
and emerging risks.
Strong capability in curriculum development, accreditation processes and adult learning principles.
Demonstrated expertise in financial management, risk management and academic governance.
Proficiency in digital learning technologies, modern delivery models and online education systems.

Leadership & Behavioural Competencies:

Strategic thinker with strong governance fluency and decision-making capability.
Demonstrate ability to lead organisational change and modernise processes and
systems.
Excellent communication, relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills.
High integrity, sound judgment and commitment to professional and academic
standards.
Ability to represent the College credibly at Board level and within the regulated
financial services sector.

Qualifications

University degree in Business, Finance, Education, Insurance or related field.
Minimum eight (8) years’ senior leadership experience in insurance, financial regulation, tertiary education or a similar environment.
Demonstrated experience in curriculum development, accreditation or regulatory compliance.
Experience modernising administrative processes or implementing digital transformation within an education or regulated environment.
Experience with Caribbean insurance markets or regional regulatory bodies.
Experience with online learning design or education technology systems

REPORTING STRUCTURE

Reports to: Board of Directors

Direct Reports: Programmes Administrator, Accountant, Business Development
Officer

AUTHORITY

Recommend hiring, termination and compensation decisions for staff (subject to Board approval).
Approve operational expenditures within approved budgets.
Sign contracts and legal documents as necessary.
Represent the College in regulatory, accreditation and industry engagements.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)

Accreditation status and curriculum transparency.
Compliance with FSC and UCJ standards.
Quality and professionalism of public-facing content and reports.
Industry partnerships, corporate training uptake and Advisory Council engagement.
Enrolment growth, programme completion rates and student satisfaction.
Lecturer performance and academic quality assurance outcomes.
Thought leadership outputs and industry visibility.
Revenue growth and financial sustainability.
Successful implementation of modern administrative systems and processes.