AVP Strategic Initiatives Priority Business

The Hartford•Hartford, CT

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

We’re determined to make a difference and are proud to be an insurance company that goes well beyond coverages and policies. Working here means having every opportunity to achieve your goals – and to help others accomplish theirs, too. Join our team as we help shape the future. AVP, Strategic Initiatives, Priority Business Reporting to the VP, Head of EB Strategy and Growth, the AVP, Strategic Initiatives for Priority Business plays a critical role in advancing and delivering The Hartford’s Priority Business (PB) growth strategy. As the operational engine behind PB’s strategic vision, this leader is accountable for translating strategy into clear, actionable plans and driving rigorous, coordinated execution across multiple functions. The AVP, Strategic Initiatives will steer the evolution of PB’s strategy, ensuring initiatives are integrated, aligned, and continuously optimized to support scalable, modern solutions for the small‑ to mid‑size business market. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in complexity, excels at mobilizing teams, and brings discipline, clarity, and momentum to shape and execute one of Employee Benefits most important growth drivers. The role requires exceptional strategic thinking, advanced influencing skills, and a proven ability to motivate, inspire, communicate and engage stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership, S&RM leaders, and external partners. This role is market-facing and requires maintaining awareness of and presence with competitors, brokers, general agents, and technology/product partnerships. This leader will serve as a thought leader, representing The Hartford at conferences, broker events, webinars, and in published articles.

Requirements

Minimum 8+ years of relevant Employee Benefits experience, with at least 2 current or recent years in growth, innovation or transformation strategy in a large corporate setting.
Demonstrated executive presence and followership leading cross-functional teams and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
Superior understanding of business vision and strategy, with a record of translating strategy into action and creating value propositions that resonate in market.
Demonstrated ability to delegate at pace with proven results.
Experience driving results partnering with sales, tech vendors, and market relationships (e.g., with GAs, producers, HR tech vendors)
Strong business acumen and financial management skills.
Exceptional communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills; experience with public speaking and thought leadership required.
Bachelor’s degree required
Willingness to travel as required (approximately 25% if based in Hartford, up to 35% if based elsewhere).

Nice To Haves

Experience with human resources ecosystems preferred.
Experience with technology platforms desirable.
advanced degree a plus.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Influence: Lead and inspire the PBLT and sales and relationship management stakeholders, to deliver on small- and mid-sized business growth objectives.
Ensure PB strategic capabilities and offering are identified and integrated into future EB department roadmaps; specifically around partner connections maintain competitive and differentiated list of quote, payroll, benefit administration, HRIS/HCM, and enrollment platforms required or emerging to create the desired PB experience.
Articulate the PB journey via regular updates to senior leadership (SLT) and stakeholders, leveraging influencing skills to drive consensus and action.
Sales & Marketing Engagement: Articulate The Hartford’s PB experience and value proposition in partnership with marketing and sales teams.
Intimately understand competitors’ value proposition to support PB positioning against competitors.
Ensure collateral resonates with PB customers and distributors and meets the modern market needs.
Represent PB with brokers, GAs, alternative distribution partners.
Cross-Functional Execution: Coordinate and orchestrate execution across departments, overseeing delivery of strategic objectives and execution paths.
Design and maintain all PBLT goals, scorecard metrics, PBLT dashboard, and ensure accountability for results.
Program & Forum Leadership: Lead PBLT and overall program execution; facilitate PB leadership forums, including agenda setting, materials development, and decision-making.
Identify dependencies, delegate at pace, and advocate for PB customer needs and roadblock removals.
Change Management: Oversee the design and implementation of change management strategies, including processes and technology trainings for each PBLT function, product offering evolution, and cultural alignment across EB departments.
Complex Program Development: In partnership with PBLT, build and maintain PB’s programmatic detailed roadmaps with identification of dependencies, contingencies, pivot points and inclusive of offerings, processes, data, and models.
Articulate the complex program in a digestible, actionable manner, preparing the EB organization for PB growth.
Talent & Culture Ambassador: Assist PBLT with staffing and skills, identify training/upskilling needs, and ensure EB departments are aligned with PB’s strategy.
Partner with HR and PBLT with strategic workforce planning upskilling and talent needs.
Mentor and develop PBLT to foster teams aligned with the needs of PB customers and brokers.
One Hartford: Represent EB and PB in discovery of cross-segment opportunities and advance PB/SB cross-sell initiatives with P&C Small Business and other segments.
Market-Facing Thought Leadership: Serve as an internal and external market-facing subject matter expert for EB’s Priority Business segment.
Monitor the competitive landscape and present at industry events, stewardships, and related forums.
Create written thought leadership pieces in partnership with marketing.
Process Improvement & Efficiency: Recommend and coordinate PBLT’s ability to implement process improvements to support PB growth and operational efficiency.
Financial Management: Maintain the collective PBLT financial dashboard, monitoring sales goals, financials, and profitability, highlighting to PBLT needed strategy adjustments as needed to achieve business objectives.
Strategic Initiatives & M&A: Lead PB non-technology strategic projects and M&A work (if applicable), coordinating cross-functional teams through diligence and integration.