Head of Product and Market Strategy

Guardian Life Insurance • Pittsfield, MA

4d • $110,350 - $181,285 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Head of Core DI Product and Market Strategy serves as a strategic bridge between product development, competitive analysis, and distribution sales operations. This role is responsible for leading efforts to gather, analyze, and synthesize market trends, competitor movements, and customer insights to inform product strategy and positioning. By maintaining a strong connection with the distribution sales force, they ensure that real-time feedback from producers and distribution partners is integrated into product development, messaging, and enabling more responsive and effective go-to-market strategies. You Are Someone with a blend of analytical rigor, strategic thinking, and strong interpersonal skills to foster collaboration and drive business impact. Experienced in leveraging customer insights, behavioral analytics, and market research to inform product development and enhance user experience. Someone with a proven ability to define and execute long-term product strategies aligned with business goals and evolving market trends. Exceptionally adept at developing strong, credible business relationships at all levels and building consensus among multiple partners/cross functional teams with competing interests. Proficient in identifying and analyzing customer segments based on demographics, financial behaviors, risk profiles, and digital engagement patterns. Highly adaptable and comfortable with change and ambiguity while keeping the customer at the center of all decisions. Organized and excel at managing multiple ongoing efforts simultaneously. Proactive at solving problems and adding efficiency to processes. An individual who can work with a high level of independence and exercise independent judgement, while maintaining clear and thorough communication with leadership.

Requirements

• Demonstrated the ability to identify and effectively articulate the customer problem being solved by a product/offering effort.
• Demonstrated success partnering with technology, marketing, operations, and distribution teams to drive go-to-market strategies and manage product lifecycles.
• Direct relationships with Senior Management and enterprise associates.
• 7+ years of experience in individual disability insurance.
• 5+ years experience working directly with distribution partners
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication, both verbal and written, skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to synthesize findings and troubleshoot issues.
• Experience with agile and waterfall implementation methods.
• Extremely strong Microsoft Office skills (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Visio) – expert Excel experience a plus.
• Extremely strong Adobe Acrobat Professional skills.
• A demonstrated ability to quickly learn and understand business processes.
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience required.

Responsibilities

• Translate distribution insights into actionable products and business strategies.
• Monitor industry trends and emerging threats to maintain strategic advantage.
• Lead competitive intelligence and market research initiatives specific to insurance products and distribution channels.
• Partner with distribution sales teams to capture and act on frontline insights, emerging needs, and competitive threats.
• Equip sales and marketing teams with data-driven tools, training, and messaging that reflect current market dynamics.
• Collaborate with Product, Underwriting, and Marketing to align strategy with distribution realities and customer expectations.
• Define and execute the long-term product strategy aligned with business objectives and market trends across new and existing channels.
• Leverage customer insights, behavioral data, and market research to inform product decisions and deliver best in class products and customer solutions.
• Lead quarterly research on product/program ideation, working with Design Team to detail out new potential features or programs.
• Partner with technology, marketing, operations, and distribution to ensure successful product launches and lifecycle management (go-to-market).
• Identify customer target market segments based on demographics, financial goals, risk tolerance, and technology use patterns.
• Leverage Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to monitor, evaluate, and drive success across projects and initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and continuous improvement.
• Represent the company in industry forums, broker roadshows, and with our distribution partners.
• Be responsible for competitive intelligence efforts, including: tracking competitor product features, pricing, and positioning.
• Prepare competitive benchmarking reports for leadership and maintain a competition dashboard.
• Support training and communication efforts to ensure internal and external teams understand product features and competitive positioning.

Benefits

• 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.
• 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 www.guardianlife.com/careers/corporate/benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees