Name: Jessica Brewer
Job Title and Description: Senior Vice President of Engineering and Global Services at Benefitfocus
College/Major: Bachelor’s in Mathematics, Minor in Computer Science; Master’s in Software Engineering Management
Twitter Handle: @JessL1
What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?
Jessica Brewer: As Senior Vice President of Global Services and Engineering at Benefitfocus, I am ultimately responsible for managing client implementations and software delivery across our portfolio of products and services. This includes overseeing the design of software solutions, development, testing, quality and release management/platform control in a multi-tenant, SaaS environment. I manage a world-class engineering team and recruit and retain top talent that support the Benefitfocus culture and our four core values: provide anticipatory service, respect the individual, celebrate and together!
In addition to managing customer relationships and overseeing the quality of our products, I also have executive responsibilities such as budgeting, resource management and other business operations.
Given the dynamic nature of our business there really is no typical day. We work in an agile fashion to best accommodate the needs of our clients while adhering to a structured software development cycle.
What is the best part of your job?
JB: Getting to work with such a talented group of people who never cease to amaze me and challenge me with their passion and innovation.
What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?
JB: My first entry-level job in this industry was working for a data research company. I actually got the job as a result of an introduction by a friend. They basically hired me on the spot.
What is one thing you wish you knew about your industry when you first started out that you know now?
JB: I think with software it is important to not only know the technology but also to understand the business we are in. How can you write code if you don’t really understand the business?
Who is one person who changed your professional life for the better?
JB: My grandmother had tremendous influence over me throughout my education and early career growth. She was a strong woman who believed in me and in the opportunities in front of me. She supported me early on and taught me to invest in myself and my education.
She never went to college, not many women did in her day, yet she was one of the most intelligent people I have ever known. She worked in a day when most women did not work. She was a pioneer of sorts, plowing new fields, yet humble and optimistic about the future and opportunities for women. She had 17 grandchildren, 14 of whom were girls. She led by example, stressed the importance of education and supported each of us in defining our futures.
What words of wisdom do you find most valuable?
JB: You are a victim of your circumstances only so long and then it is your own fault. Stop finding excuses for inaction and drive forward.
What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?
JB: I think the key is understanding that you will make mistakes. Your ability to recover from it is what will define you. I remember early in my career I made a pretty impactful mistake (I will spare the details). I was embarrassed of course, but worked night and day to correct the error.
Coincidentally, I had a trip scheduled to visit the impacted client. I was dreading the trip, but knew I needed to face my mistake. When I arrived, the general manager came up to me and hugged me! He said that it took guts to show up and own up to my mistake, and he respected that. It ended up being one of the best business trips of my life.
What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far?
JB: The most surreal moment was being part of the senior management team at Benefitfocus when we took the company public. I was so proud of all we had accomplished and the company we have built. To be part of the opening bell ceremony at the NASDAQ was an incredible experience.
What do you look for when considering hiring someone?
JB: Outside of the traditional skill sets required for the position, I look for someone who is driven, smart, eager to learn and someone from whom I can learn.
What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?
JB: The field is ripe with opportunity. All you need to do is ‘Lean In’ (to borrow from Sheryl Sandberg) and take it.