Strategic Projects Lead

Guardian is seeking a Strategic Projects Lead to translate priority strategies into data-driven plans and measurable outcomes. This individual will own initiatives end-to-end-from strategy conception and business-case development through execution, adoption, and post-implementation ROI & KPI tracking.

This position is execution-focused SME work: rigorous analysis, clear hypotheses, pragmatic solution design, and disciplined follow-through. The Strategic Projects Lead partners with a dedicated project manager for timeline support while retaining accountability for strategy fidelity and results. The position also aligns with our values of We do the right thing, We believe people count, We courageously shape our future together, and We go above and beyond for the people we serve.

You are

A strategic thinker and subject matter expert who connects business goals to practical, measurable solutions. You are hypothesis-driven and data-literate, comfortable building models, testing assumptions, and drawing defensible conclusions.With a strong bias for clarity, simplicity, and timely delivery, you influence cross-functional teams without a formal authority and ensure accuracy in analysis and documentation. You thrive on collaboration, partnering effectively to own and drive strategy, scope, KPIs, and ROI.

You will

• Conceive & shape strategy : Frame problems, develop options, and produce business cases (financial impact, qualitative benefits, risks, dependencies).

• Plan for execution : Translate strategy into a clear delivery roadmap (scope, success criteria, KPI definitions, baselines/targets, measurement plan).

• Lead functional workstreams : Facilitate decisioning sessions; define requirements and acceptance criteria; ensure solution integrity across Ops, Tech, Risk, Compliance, and Finance.

• Partner with a project manager : Leverage PM support for ceremonies, schedules, and RAID tracking while maintaining single-threaded ownership of outcomes.

• Build measurement & insight : Stand up KPI and ROI tracking (dashboards, scorecards, adoption metrics); monitor leading/lagging indicators; recommend course corrections.

• Run pilots & validate value : Design experiments, tests, and post-implementation reviews; codify lessons learned and scale plans.

• Drive change & adoption : Create playbooks, cutover plans, training outlines, and communications to enable smooth rollout and sustained usage.

• Guard the quality bar : Review analyses, financial models, and decision memos for accuracy and logical rigor; ensure documentation is complete and auditable.

• Report concisely : Provide executive-ready status dashboards and one-page updates focused on objectives, KPIs, risks, and decisions required.

You have

• 5-7 years in strategy, business analysis, or consulting, ideally within financial services or a similarly regulated environment.

• Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into action and deliver measurable outcomes (KPIs improved, costs reduced, revenue or client experience uplift).

• Financial modeling and analytical skills (Excel; familiarity with Tableau preferred); comfort defining baselines, targets, and ROI.

• Strong structured problem-solving (issue trees, hypotheses, sensitivity/driver analysis) and clear written/visual communication.

• Experience leading cross-functional execution with partners in Operations, Technology, Risk/Compliance, and Finance.

• Change-management aptitude: preparing stakeholders, enabling adoption, and sustaining performance post-launch.

• This is an individual contributor role (no direct reports), with an execution-oriented scope and results accountability.

Reporting Relationships

• As our Strategic Projects Lead, you will report to our Head of Advisor Strategic Initiatives.

Location

• The primary location for this position is Bethlehem PA, Holmdel NJ, Hudson Yards NY.

Salary Range:

$82,770.00 - $135,975.00

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Guardian is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

Accommodations

Guardian is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. Guardian also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants (and employees) to accommodate the individual's known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [email protected]. Please note: this resource is for accommodation requests only. For all other inquires related to your application and careers at Guardian, refer to the Guardian Careers site.

Visa Sponsorship

Guardian is not currently or in the foreseeable future sponsoring employment visas. In order to be a successful applicant. you must be legally authorized to work in the United States, without the need for employer sponsorship.

Current Guardian Colleagues: Please apply through the internal Jobs Hub in Workday.

Every day, Guardian helps our 29 million customers realize their dreams through a range of insurance and financial products and services. Our Purpose, to inspire well-being, guides our dedication to the colleagues, consumers, and communities we serve. We know that people count, and we go above and beyond to prepare them for the life they want to live, focusing on their overall well-being - mind, body, and wallet. As one of the largest mutual insurance companies, we put our customers first. Behind every bright future is a GuardianTM. Learn more about Guardian at guardianlife.com .

Visa Sponsorship:

Guardian Life is not currently or in the foreseeable future sponsoring employment visas. In order to be a successful applicant, you must be legally authorized to work in the United States, without the need for employer sponsorship.