Position Summary:Guardian is seeking a Group Benefits Market Leader for our Central Region to develop and execute a profitable growth strategy across the assigned market, with responsibility for new sales, retention, and broker relationships supporting groups of 2 to 2,000 lives and a primary focus on the 100 to 1,999 segments. You will lead, coach, and develop a high-performing sales team while building strong relationships with Guardian's highest-value and fastest-growing brokers and distribution partners. Working across Underwriting, Client Management, Product, Finance, and other partners, you will use market intelligence, data, analytics, and AI-enabled tools to identify opportunities, improve decisions, and deliver top- and bottom-line results. Success requires disciplined execution, inclusive people leadership, sound judgment, and the ability to strengthen Guardian's presence and value in the market.
You are:A strategic, hands-on sales leader who translates enterprise priorities and local market insight into focused action. You build followership across a matrixed organization, coach teams to raise performance, and create durable broker and partner relationships. You are curious and analytically minded, comfortable using data and AI tools to generate insights, improve productivity, challenge assumptions, and make informed decisions while applying sound judgment, protecting confidential information, and validating outputs.
You have:Required:- 8+ years of Group Benefits industry experience, including demonstrated leadership experience within Group Benefits sales or distribution.
- Strong knowledge of Group Benefits distribution, underwriting, finance and pricing, product development and marketing, operations, risk management, and administration.
- Proven ability to develop and execute market sales and retention strategies that support profitable growth, increased market share, and strong financial performance.
- Experience leading, coaching, and developing sales professionals, including setting expectations, building capability, and holding teams accountable for results.
- Demonstrated ability to build influential relationships with brokers, distribution partners, clients, and cross-functional stakeholders, including those outside direct reporting lines.
- Comfort and proficiency using data, analytics, and AI-enabled tools to prepare for broker and client interactions, identify trends and opportunities, improve productivity, and support business decisions. Ability to use AI responsibly by protecting confidential information, applying human judgment, and validating outputs for accuracy and relevance.
- Persuasive communication and presentation skills, sound judgment, integrity, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, changing, matrixed environment.
- Required industry licensing within 90 days of hire and ongoing maintenance of the license through completion of continuing education requirements.
- Must be based in the Chicago, IL area.
Preferred:- Advanced degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Broad familiarity with Guardian's Group Benefits product portfolio and the needs of employers, brokers, and distribution partners across the 2 to 2,000 lives market.
- Experience using customer relationship management platforms, business intelligence tools, or generative AI solutions in a sales leadership environment.
- Experience supporting integrated absence management solutions in a carrier, insurance, or employee benefits environment.
You will:- Develop and execute an integrated market sales and retention plan that aligns corporate, financial, and local market priorities to maximize profitable growth, retention, and market share across new and existing products.
- Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing sales team through hands-on deal support, disciplined performance management, selling-strategy guidance, skill building, succession planning, and clear accountability for results.
- Strengthen Guardian's market presence by cultivating relationships with high-value and high-growth brokers and distribution partners; support the overall health of broker and client relationships to advance sales and retention.
- Partner across Underwriting, Client Management, Product, Finance, Marketing, and Operations to solve business challenges, improve the broker and client experience, and deliver corporate and market objectives. Use data, analytics, and AI-enabled tools to surface insights, prioritize opportunities, monitor performance, and enhance team effectiveness.
- Serve as a visible market expert and Guardian representative by providing competitive intelligence and insight into customer needs and emerging trends; champion process improvements and organizational initiatives; share thought leadership; and maintain strong community relationships.
Reporting Relationships:- As our Group Benefits Market Leader, Central Region, you will report to the Regional Vice President, Central Region who reports to our Head of Field Sales, Group Benefits.
Location:- The primary location for this position is Chicago, Illinois.
Travel:- Up to 50% travel within the region and nationally is required for this position.
Salary Range:Base Pay: $145,000
The salary reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary location of the position, which is to be based in Chicago, Illinois. The salary for this position ultimately will be determined based on the education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate, as well as market factors and business need.
This position is also covered by a Guardian sales incentive compensation plan, making the successful candidate eligible to receive sales incentives subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plan, in addition to base pay. The anticipated total annual compensation range inclusive of base pay and sales target incentive compensation is $460,840 to $539,800.
Our PromiseAt 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-BeingAs 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 www.guardianlife.com/careers/corporate/benefits. Benefits apply to full-time eligible employees. Interns are not eligible for most Company benefits.
Current Guardian Colleagues: Please apply through the internal Jobs Hub in Workday. 
