Assistant Vice President, Innovation

EquiTrust Life Insurance Company•West Des Moines, IA

4h•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Vice President, Innovation helps shape and execute innovation initiatives that advance EquiTrust's strategic priorities, business growth, and technology transformation. The role partners with business leaders, technology teams, and external partners to explore emerging technologies, develop innovative solutions, and turn promising ideas into business outcomes. It also leads and mentors innovation team members and cross-functional project teams, while promoting creativity, responsible experimentation, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, Technology, Information Systems, or a related field.
Minimum of 10 years of experience in innovation, strategy, digital transformation, product development, or related fields.
Experience leading innovation programs, technology pilots, or digital transformation initiatives from concept through implementation.
Experience identifying and evaluating emerging technologies and translating business challenges into innovative solutions.
Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, business leaders, and external partners to deliver strategic initiatives.
Strong strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including translating business needs into technology-enabled solutions.
Experience with innovation management methodologies, experimentation frameworks, proof-of-concept development, and emerging technology evaluation.
Knowledge of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, automation, advanced analytics, cloud platforms, and digital transformation capabilities.
Ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams, build trusted relationships, and communicate effectively with senior leadership and external partners.
Strong leadership, coaching, and talent development skills, including fostering creativity, collaboration, psychological safety, and continuous learning.
Ability to evaluate business processes, identify improvement opportunities, and guide innovative solutions from ideation through implementation.
Strong project and program management skills, including prioritization, resource allocation, performance measurement, and delivery oversight.
Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
Ability to balance strategic priorities with practical execution and adapt to evolving technologies and business needs.
Commitment to innovation, continuous improvement, and fostering an inclusive environment that encourages diverse perspectives and ideas.
Ability to work at a computer for extended periods, including frequent use of a keyboard and monitor.
Ability to communicate effectively in a professional work environment.

Nice To Haves

Certifications or coursework in human-centered design, change management, artificial intelligence, or related innovation disciplines.
Experience within life insurance, financial services, or other regulated industries.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of innovation programs, pilots, and strategic initiatives that support business transformation and organizational priorities.
Identify and evaluate emerging technologies, industry trends, and business opportunities to inform innovation strategies and investments.
Facilitate ideation, experimentation, and proof-of-concept initiatives, moving promising ideas toward scalable business and technology solutions.
Partner with business and IT leaders to develop innovation roadmaps and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, enhance customer experiences, and drive business growth.
Explore and pilot emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, automation, cloud platforms, and other digital capabilities.
Build relationships with internal stakeholders, technology providers, startups, and strategic partners to support innovation and collaboration.
Establish and monitor innovation metrics to evaluate program effectiveness, measure outcomes, and communicate progress to senior leadership.
Promote a culture of innovation through creative thinking, responsible experimentation, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning.
Lead and mentor innovation team members and cross-functional project teams, supporting professional development, resource planning, and project delivery.
Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and forward-thinking work environment that encourages diverse perspectives and continuous improvement.