The Head of Innovation in the Financial Protection & Retirement Solutions (FPRS) division is a leadership role responsible for defining and executing a forward-looking innovation strategy that reimagines how we serve advisors, clients, and Guardian colleagues. This leader will be responsible for championing innovation across the business by developing a set of tools and approaches leveraging emerging technologies and research methodologies that breed experience-led design to create new product concepts and customer experiences. This role operates at the intersection of strategy, technology, operations, and customer experience, partnering closely with Product, Service and Operations, Distribution, and Data and Technology leaders. Collaboration is a must as innovation has shared accountability across the business.
The Head of Innovation will report into the Head of Innovation and Experience Strategy, part of the Business Operations and Experience organization in FPRS.
You Will:- Lead ideation, prototyping, and piloting of new solutions (e.g., alternative service models, new product offerings)
- Stand up innovation test-and-learn frameworks, including rapid experimentation and MVP development
- Partner with delivery teams to transition successful pilots into scaled, production-ready capabilities
- Develop a multi-year innovation roadmap aligned to FPRS strategic priorities
- Identify high-impact opportunities across customer experience, operational efficiency, and growth
- Lead experience innovation across advisor, client, and internal user journeys
- Translate emerging trends (e.g., AI, automation, digital engagement) into actionable business initiatives
- Leverage insights and data to identify pain points and redesign experiences end-to-end.
- Champion adoption of AI-enabled solutions to automate manual processes and enhance decision-making
- Establish partnerships with external vendors, startups, and industry partners, as needed, for new capabilities and speed to market
- Foster a culture of experimentation, curiosity, and continuous improvement, supporting long-term talent objectives
- Partner with P&L leaders to embed innovation across their teams (e.g. design thinking, rapid prototyping, test & learn frameworks) and drive adoption and alignment of innovation principles
- Create forums (e.g., innovation labs, showcases, offsites) to surface and scale new ideas
You Have: - 10+ years of relevant work experience in design, business, market research, innovation or a similar field. Bachelor's degree required.
- Background in insurance, annuities, or retirement solutions preferred.
- Experience leading design thinking / human-centered design organizations
- Proven execution-oriented people leader with exceptional ability to hire and inspire teams creating high performance.
- Proven success in designing and implementing innovative strategies to enhance the customer experience in a digital consumer-centric ecosystem.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Ability to lead while adapting to changing business priorities and environments.
- Ability to direct multiple key partner functions in a matrixed environment.
- Ability to lead through influence and work with people across multiple disciplines to achieve results.
- A passion for understanding consumer needs and bringing new solutions to market.
- Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to manage complexity.
- Ability to accelerate impact and lead change.
- Strong executive presence and public speaking skills including presentation to senior leadership, as well as field stakeholders.
- Experience using Figma, Sketch, Adobe Illustrator or other similar apps
- Proficient in visual communication tools like PowerPoint with the ability to present information in a compelling way
- Ability to work independently and be self-motivated
Salary Range:$152,290.00 - $250,195.00
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 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.
