Guardian Life Insurance

Head of Marketing Planning & Operations

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

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of experience in marketing operations or related fields.
  • Strong understanding of campaign execution and performance measurement.
  • Experience influencing VP/SVP level stakeholders.
  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives without direct authority.
  • Deep experience with marketing technology platforms and analytics.
  • Exceptional skills in creating executive-ready narratives and presentations.
  • Highly effective communicator with strong executive presence.

Responsibilities

  • Own and enhance the marketing operating model for scalable execution.
  • Design and improve processes and workflows for efficiency.
  • Act as a central integrator across multiple departments to resolve trade-offs.
  • Identify risks and provide executive recommendations for decisions.
  • Establish consistent operating rhythms and planning cadences.
  • Develop dashboards for actionable insights for leadership.
  • Lead Quarterly Business Reviews and prepare executive materials.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work model with three days in the Hudson Yards NYC location.
  • Opportunity to influence strategic marketing operations at a high level.
  • Engagement in executive-level decision-making processes and initiatives.
Full Job Description

Position Overview

The is a critical leadership role responsible for driving Strategy & Operations for the overall operational efficiency of the FPRS & CSWM Marketing organization. This role serves as a senior strategic advisor and operational partner to the Head of Marketing (FPRS & CSWM) and as a trusted advisor to senior marketing leadership—acting as a primary interface to executive stakeholders and ensuring that strategy is translated into clear priorities, disciplined execution, and measurable outcomes.

The role owns the end-to-end marketing operating model, including process design, performance management, planning, and budget oversight. A core expectation of this position is to influence decision-making through executive-level communication—synthesizing complex strategies, operational realities, and performance insights into concise, action-oriented narratives for QBRs, leadership meetings, steering committees, and ad hoc executive forums.

Success in this role requires a strong marketing foundation, exceptional business judgment, comfort operating at the executive level, and the ability to seamlessly move between strategic leadership and hands-on execution.

Key Responsibilities

  • Own and evolve the marketing operating model, ensuring scalable, repeatable execution across teams, channels, and initiatives
  • Design and continuously improve enterprise-grade processes, workflows, and governance models that drive efficiency, clarity, and accountability
  • Act as a central integrator across Marketing, Sales, Product, Finance, Technology, and Compliance, partnering with senior leaders to drive alignment, resolve trade-offs, and deliver against shared priorities
  • Proactively identify risks, resourcing constraints, and execution challenges; provide executive-level options, implications, and recommendations to enable timely decisions
  • Establish and maintain consistent operating rhythms, planning cadences, and decision-making forums across the marketing organization
  • Develop dashboards and reporting that provide leadership with reliable, actionable insights
  • Translate performance data into clear, concise executive narratives, including implications, risks, and recommended actions
  • Lead the development and facilitation of Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs), owning storyline, structure, and final executive-facing deliverables for senior leadership audiences
  • Prepare presentations, readouts, and written materials for executive and senior leadership meetings, proactively framing decisions, trade-offs, and recommended actions
  • Serve as an extension of the Head of Marketing, managing priority intake, decision and issue escalation, and follow-through across leaders to ensure commitments turn into action
  • Serve as the primary liaison for firm/agency alignment, partnering with field leaders to translate requests into clear workstreams and advising the Head of Marketing on what to prioritize and execute
  • Serve as a strategic thought partner to senior marketing leadership, helping shape priorities, messaging, and decision framing
  • Own leadership operating rhythm for the Head of Marketing (staff meetings, 1:1s, exec forums), including agenda-setting, pre-reads, decision capture, and follow-ups
  • Enable effective communication across senior stakeholders by synthesizing inputs, clarifying decisions, and aligning execution
  • Drive strategic prioritization for the organization (annual priorities, OKRs, and cross-functional commitments), ensuring alignment to business outcomes and capacity
  • Lead the annual and multi-year marketing planning and budgeting process, in close partnership with Finance
  • Develop business cases, investment proposals, and ROI narratives to support strategic initiatives
  • Track and manage marketing spend, capacity, and headcount against approved plans
  • Ensure disciplined execution while enabling flexibility to respond to evolving business priorities

Qualifications & Experience

  • 10+ years of experience in marketing operations, marketing strategy, business operations, or related roles
  • Strong marketing background required, including understanding of campaign execution, channels, performance measurement, and go-to-market dynamics
  • Proven experience partnering with and influencing executive and senior management stakeholders (VP/SVP and equivalent), with demonstrated ability to drive decisions and outcomes
  • Experience operating as an executive advisor/strategic operations partner to a senior leader in a complex, matrixed organization
  • Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional initiatives without direct authority
  • Deep experience with marketing technology platforms, analytics, and operational enablement
  • Exceptional ability to synthesize complexity into executive-ready narratives and presentations
  • Highly effective communicator with strong executive presence
  • Comfortable balancing strategic leadership with hands-on execution

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree required
  • MBA or relevant advanced degree strongly preferred

Location

  • This role is hybrid with 3 days a week in our Hudson Yards NYC location

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.

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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