Guardian Life Insurance

Field Centers of Excellence Lead (CoE)

Guardian Life Insurance$132K — $217K *
Finance & Insurance
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of experience in go-to-market strategy, market segmentation, distribution enablement, practice management, product marketing, or strategic program leadership.
  • Demonstrated ability in building and scaling cross-functional programs or Centers of Excellence.
  • Experience in translating complex priorities into practical tools and content.
  • Proven skills in stakeholder management and influence in a matrixed organization.
  • Strong analytical skills with capacity for synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data into actionable insights.
  • Excellent communication skills, including experience with executive narratives and field-facing messaging.
  • Program and project management expertise, including prioritization and delivery discipline.
  • Ability to navigate ambiguity and successfully establish new capabilities.

Responsibilities

  • Design and launch the Centers of Excellence (CoEs) model for the Field.
  • Establish governance and processes to align CoE work with organizational priorities.
  • Build a hub-and-spoke operating model to scale expertise and standardize practices.
  • Define repeatable frameworks for diverse market segments.
  • Collaborate with partners to create and curate field-ready assets.
  • Integrate CoE offerings into advisor lifecycle moments.
  • Translate market feedback into actionable insights for enterprise strategy.
  • Define success metrics and report on program effectiveness.
  • Manage a cross-functional network of experts to enhance delivery capability.

Benefits

  • Professional growth through skill-building and leadership development.
  • Opportunities for community engagement and philanthropic initiatives.
  • Supportive and flexible work environment to achieve personal and professional goals.
Full Job Description

In this role, you will build and scale a new Field-facing capability within Guardian’s Inclusion & Impact function to help Client Solutions & Wealth Management (CSWM) and the Field accelerate growth in diverse and evolving market segments. You will design a hub-and-spoke Centers of Excellence model that equips advisors and firms with market intelligence, prospecting and outreach insights, practical tools, and compliant, business-relevant content that supports protection and wealth management conversations with priority client segments. Success in this role requires strong partnership, influence without authority, and the ability to design systems that help others scale impact in market.

This role will establish the charter, governance, operating rhythms, and partner ecosystem for the CoEs. The CoE model is intended to reduce duplication, increase quality and consistency, strengthen measurement, and enable scalable execution—without becoming a centralized team that owns or builds every deliverable.

This leader will partner across CSWM, Principal Owner Development & Growth, Marketing, Communications, Product, Enterprise Thought Leadership, Legal/Compliance, and Corporate Impact to translate enterprise priorities and inclusion strategies into field-ready offerings that are relevant to advisor practice growth and client needs. This role reports to the Head of Inclusion & Impact.

You will

  • Design and launch Guardian’s Field Centers of Excellence (CoEs) approach, including a clear charter that defines what the CoEs own, influence, and explicitly does not own or do

  • Establish governance, decision rights, and intake/prioritization processes to ensure CoE work aligns to CSWM priorities, Field needs, and risk/compliance requirements

  • Build an operating model (hub-and-spoke) that scales scarce expertise, standardizes best practices, and enables consistent execution across Field channels and teams

  • Understands CSWM’s priority diverse and emerging market segments and define repeatable segment frameworks for those segments (personas, needs, common concerns, value propositions, compliant messaging guardrails, and recommended engagement pathways)

  • Partner with Marketing, Communications, and Enterprise Thought Leadership to curate, adapt, and package content into Field-ready assets (playbooks, talk tracks, toolkits, event programming, and digital resource hubs)

  • Collaborate with PO Development & Growth and Field partners to integrate CoE offerings into advisor lifecycle moments (recruiting, onboarding, practice development, retention, and key convenings)

  • Translate field and market feedback into actionable insights for enterprise partners, helping inform product, experience, and distribution strategies

  • Define success metrics and measurement approaches (adoption, satisfaction, content utilization, pipeline/activity indicators, and qualitative outcomes) and provide regular reporting and recommendations

  • Build and manage a cross-functional network of subject matter experts and partners (internal and external) to extend capability and accelerate delivery

  • Operate with strong judgment in a regulated environment, ensuring content/programs are defensible, inclusive, and aligned with Guardian brand and enterprise priorities

You have

  • 8+ years of experience in one or more of the following: go-to-market strategy, market segmentation, distribution enablement, practice management, product marketing, customer/market insights, or strategic program leadership

  • Demonstrated experience building and scaling cross-functional programs or Centers of Excellence (or equivalent shared-services / enablement models) with clear governance and measurable outcomes

  • Strong ability to translate complex enterprise priorities into practical offerings, tools, and content that drives adoption and behavior change

  • Proven stakeholder management skills and ability to influence at senior levels across a matrixed organization without direct authority

  • Analytical and strategic thinking skills, including the ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative inputs into clear recommendations

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive-ready narrative, facilitation, and field-facing messaging

  • Program and project management strength, including prioritization, operating cadence, and delivery discipline

  • Comfort operating in ambiguity and building new capability from the ground up

  • Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams

  • Insurance, wealth management, or adjacent regulated-industry experience strongly preferred

  • Direct Field distribution experience and/or familiarity with an agency model is a plus, but not required

Location /Travel

  • Hybrid role –in office 3 days a week, Hudson Yards, NY; Stamford CT or Holmdel, NJ. 2 days WFH.

  • Travel - Up to 25% occasional travel to various U.S. Guardian offices and Field events (e.g., community convenings, leadership forums, and partner engagements).

Salary Range:

$132,420.00 - $217,545.00

The salary range reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary location of the position. The salary for this position ultimately will be determined based on the education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate. In addition to salary, this role may also be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation.

Our Promise

At Guardian, you’ll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals.  Through skill-building, leadership development and philanthropic opportunities, we provide opportunities to build communities and grow your career, surrounded by diverse colleagues with high ethical standards.

Inspire Well-Being

As part of Guardian’s Purpose – to inspire well-being – we are committed to offering contemporary, supportive, flexible, and inclusive benefits and resources to our colleagues. Explore our company benefits at . Benefits apply to full-time eligible employees. Interns are not eligible for most Company benefits.

About Guardian Life Insurance

Guardian Life Insurance Careers

Join the Guardian Life Insurance team today and be part of a company that values growth, leadership, and innovation. As a leading provider in the insurance industry, Guardian Life Insurance offers a wealth of job opportunities that empower you to shape your future and strengthen your professional skills. Work You’ll Do At Guardian Life Insurance, you’ll collaborate with a diverse team of experts dedicated to providing exceptional service and innovative solutions to our clients. Our culture thrives on inclusivity and the shared ambition of our team members to drive positive change in the insurance sector. Explore a variety of career paths in areas ranging from customer service to financial advisement, each offering the potential to engage with transformative projects that impact lives. Our commitment to professional growth is evident in our robust training programs, including leadership development and diversity training, designed to enhance your skills and advance your career. Innovative Work Guardian Life Insurance is at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge technology and personalized service. Join us and contribute to initiatives that redefine industry standards and lead to more predictive and personalized customer experiences. Be Part of a Great Team Our team at Guardian Life Insurance is our strongest asset. We foster an environment where creativity and effectiveness are encouraged, making it a perfect place for those who seek to innovate and excel in their careers. With a focus on nurturing talent, we offer comprehensive benefits, competitive salaries, and a supportive atmosphere that advocates work-life balance. Future-Proof Your Career With Guardian Life Insurance, your career is future-proof. Dive into a range of employment opportunities that not only align with your current skills but also challenge you to grow and expand your capabilities. Whether you’re looking for a full-time position, an internship, or even leadership roles, Guardian Life Insurance is committed to helping you find the right path. Stay Connected Join Our Team Discover the job opportunities waiting for you at Guardian Life Insurance. We are continuously hiring and looking for individuals who are passionate, driven, and ready to contribute to our mission. Search open positions that match your skills and interests, and take the first step towards a rewarding career with us. Keep Up to Date Stay informed with the latest career tips, industry insights, and company news—all from the professionals who make Guardian Life Insurance a leader in the insurance industry. Our careers blog provides valuable information to help you prepare for your next interview, polish your resume, and enhance your networking abilities. Job Alert Emails Customize your experience by subscribing to job alerts and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at Guardian Life Insurance, and see how you can contribute to our legacy of excellence and innovation. Join Guardian Life Insurance today and be part of a company that’s dedicated to your career growth and professional development.
Learn more about Guardian Life Insurance
Size
9,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1860

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