---
title: 'Senior Innovation Manager at Hippo Insurance'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-innovation-manager-hippo-insurance-austin-texas-cemy959hgkaj'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-11'
---

# Senior Innovation Manager at Hippo Insurance

- **Company:** Hippo Insurance
- **Location:** Austin Texas, United States / Morristown New Jersey, United States
- **Posted:** 2026-07-10
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11
- **Apply:** https://boards.greenhouse.io/hippo70/jobs/8628624002?gh_jid=8628624002

## Job description

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. https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/hippo-document-prod/legal+/HIPPO-HRPrivacyNotice.pdf

## About Hippo Insurance

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Hippo Insurance is a technology-native insurance group that uses data, AI, and smart home technology to provide proactive, modern homeowners insurance and operates as a diversified carrier platform.
- **Entity Type**: Public (NYSE: HIPO)
- **Headquarters**: San Jose, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2015
- **Founders**: Assaf Wand, Eyal Navon

## Core Business
- **Primary Industry**: Insurance (Property & Casualty, Homeowners)
- **Target Customers**: B2C (Homeowners), B2B (Managing General Agents via carrier platform)
- **Mission Statement**: To protect what matters most and make homeownership effortless by helping customers stay ahead of problems.

## Products & Services
- **Hippo Homeowners Insurance**: A modern, data-driven home insurance policy offering enhanced coverage for computers, home office equipment, appliances, electronics, and service lines. Includes proactive home care services.
- **Smart Home Program**: Complimentary smart home devices (e.g., leak sensors) provided to policyholders to prevent damage, often paired with discounts.
- **Carrier Platform (Spinnaker Insurance Company)**: A diversified insurance platform that partners with MGAs to deliver tailored program solutions, helping them grow and improve customer experiences. Subsidiaries include Spinnaker Specialty Insurance Company and Wingsail Insurance Company.

## Market Standing
- **Market Cap**: ~$221 million (as of mid-2026)
- **Key Financial Metrics (Q1 2026)**:
    - Revenue: $122 million (+10% YoY)
    - Gross Written Premium: $332 million (+58% YoY)
    - Net Income: $7 million (vs. a Net Loss of $48 million in Q1 2025)
    - Combined Ratio: 99.5% (improved 60 points YoY)
- **Total Funding (Private)**: $1.26 billion (including a $150M Series E led by FinTLV, valuing the company at $1.5B)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Felicis, Lennar Corporation, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, FinTLV, and a strategic distribution partnership with Progressive and Westwood.
- **Growth Signals**: 58% GWP growth in Q1 2026, achieved profitability (Net Income positive), significant improvement in underwriting results, AI-powered transformation across claims and underwriting, and expanded distribution network.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Tech-Native Platform**: A modern, cloud-based infrastructure that enables data-driven underwriting, AI-powered claims processing, and proactive risk mitigation (smart home devices), differentiating it from legacy insurers.
- **Diversified Carrier Model**: Operates as both a direct-to-consumer insurer and a platform for other MGAs (via Spinnaker), spreading risk and creating multiple revenue streams.
- **Strategic Distribution**: Exclusive partnerships with Progressive and Westwood provide a large, tech-enabled distribution network that is difficult to replicate.
- **Proactive vs. Reactive**: Focuses on preventing claims (e.g., leak detection) rather than just paying them, leading to better loss ratios and customer satisfaction.

## Strategic Focus
- **Profitable Growth**: After years of growth-at-all-costs, Hippo is now laser-focused on underwriting profitability, as evidenced by the 60-point improvement in combined ratio to 99.5%.
- **AI Transformation**: Leveraging AI across claims, services, and underwriting to drive efficiency, support growth, and increase profitability.
- **Distribution Expansion**: Deepening partnerships with Progressive and Westwood to scale the homeowners product through multiple channels.
- **Platform Diversification**: Growing the carrier platform (Spinnaker) to reduce reliance on direct-to-consumer channels and enter new lines of business.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Described as a team of "builders, problem solvers, and forward-thinkers" with values centered on ownership, innovation, collaboration, and embracing diverse ideas.
- **Hybrid Work Model**: The company operates a hybrid model, emphasizing "the best of both worlds"—in-office collaboration with the freedom to work remotely. Key hubs include San Jose, CA (HQ); Austin, TX; Dallas, TX; and Morristown, NJ.
- **Compensation & Equity**: Employees are granted RSUs (Restricted Stock Units), making them stakeholders in the company's financial success.
- **Benefits**:
    - **Health**: Competitive medical, dental, vision coverage with wellness rewards.
    - **Time Off**: Flexible paid time off.
    - **Family**: Paid parental leave and adoption assistance.
    - **Perks**: Complimentary snacks and lunches from local restaurants, birthday celebrations, holiday parties, and company outings.
    - **Learning**: Dedicated coaching and skill-building programs.
- **Engineering & Data Focus**: Strong emphasis on data, analytics, and engineering (roles like Senior Application Security Engineer, Data Governance Lead, and Actuarial Data Science Manager are prominent). The Chief Data and Analytics Officer is a key executive.
- **Workforce**: ~375 employees, with a notable presence in Poland, South Africa, Israel, and the Philippines. Employee rating on LinkedIn is 3.7/5.0.

## Sources
1. [Hippo.com Careers Page](https://www.hippo.com/careers)
2. [LinkedIn Company Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/company/hippo-insurance)
3. [Built In Profile](https://builtin.com/company/hippo-insurance)
4. [Hippo Q1 2026 Financial Results (Investor Relations)](https://investors.hippo.com/financials/quarterly-results/default.aspx)
5. [Hippo Homepage](https://www.hippo.com/)
6. [SEC Filings / Market Data (via Yahoo Finance / Google Finance)]

## Other roles at Hippo Insurance

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