Job Summary:The Business Continuity Leader will oversee the Enterprise Resilience and Continuity program focused on the coordination of Emergency Management, Crisis Management, Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery. This includes the assessment, development & communication of recovery requirements and business resumption planning across the organization to protect the company in the event that its workforce, facilities or technology resources are unavailable due to an unforeseen disruption. This role will provide leadership across the enterprise's technology and business units in resilience and risk mitigation. This individual will lead the development and implementation of the business unit contingency plans across the organization and its critical business partners (vendors) which provides workaround procedures to mitigate any operational risk associated with reduction in the workforce, complete or partial failure of facilities, technology systems, or applications related to an unforeseen disruption. This position is responsible for the overall coordination of the organization's response to a crisis, in an effective, timely manner, with the goal of avoiding or minimizing damage to the organization's profitability, reputation, and ability to operate.

- Direct the development and maintenance of the Enterprise Resilience and Continuity program. This includes the development and validation of methodologies, to ensure the enterprise's ability to respond and recover, in the event of an unforeseen disruption to the workforce, facilities, technology systems, or applications.
- Ensure continued operations, asset protection, and loss mitigation in the event of a disruption, and oversee the coordinating activities of technology resources with the company's business units and development groups, as required.
- Act as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) to Horizon leadership to enhance contingency plans, mitigate the effects of a technology system or application failures or problems. Ensure that Horizon can continue operations, satisfy regulatory obligations, manage assets, and maintain presence in the market place.
- Direct crisis communications between the critical operations required including the Enterprise Resilience Office, Corporate Security, Facilities Management, Information Technology Operations, Technology Architecture and Engineering Systems, and Systems Application Program Management.
- Lead impact assessment and continuity planning meetings with business units.
- Oversee the timely identification, escalation, resolution, and follow-up for all outstanding issues.
- Provide recommendations to department heads for enhancing, formalizing, and standardizing the business planning process, including forecasting and tracking mechanisms, to facilitate timely accommodation of future company recovery requirements and opportunities.
- Coordinate activation of the Crisis Management Framework in response to incidents. Make recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the crisis management program.
- Direct all departmental operational activities, including status reporting, budgeting and forecasting, strategic planning, and, documentation.
- Lead periodic simulated disasters and walkthrough exercises to assist in the validation of the crisis response, recovery plans and procedures. Coordinates business participation in disaster recovery exercises.
- Maintain accountability and oversight of the business continuity management and emergency notification software systems including contract negotiations, vendor relations, integrations, configuration and functionality.
- Oversee enterprise-wide initiatives, as assigned by leadership.

Education/Experience:
- Requires bachelor's degree, preferably in Business Administration, Disaster Resilience, Emergency Management, or related discipline.
- Master's degree preferred.
- Requires minimum of ten (10) years relevant experience or direct experience in an Enterprise Resilience/Business Continuity Management background.
- Experience in an IT environment with knowledge of Disaster Recovery concepts preferred.
- Requires Certified Business Continuity Planner certification.

Knowledge:
- Prefers knowledge of Horizon BCBSNJ's project management methodologies, tools, and practices.
- Requires knowledge of strategic planning concepts.
- Requires knowledge of the health insurance industry.
- Prefers knowledge of Horizon's strategic plan, Horizon's three year plan, division operating plan and Horizon's operating model.
- Must be proficient in the use of personal computers and supporting software in a Windows based environment, including MS Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and; should be knowledgeable in the use of intranet and internet applications.
- Preferred proficiency in business continuity management and emergency notification software.

Skills and Abilities:
- Analytical & Problem Solving Skills
- Interpersonal & Client Relationship Skills
- Leadership
- Oral/Written Communication Skills
- Organizational Skills
- Decision Making
- Negotiation
- Conflict Management/Resolution

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status or status as an individual with a disability and any other protected class as required by federal, state or local law..