Manager, Product Leader

Transamerica•Cedar Rapids, IA

3d•$110,000 - $125,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Drives long-term strategy by researching and designing retirement products from inception to launch. Manages existing product portfolios to ensure business is profitable, efficiently maintained and remains competitive to support client retention and intermediary and alliance satisfaction.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a business-related field or equivalent experience
Seven years of product development experience in the retirement industry
In-depth knowledge of retirement product features, trends, and shifts in regulatory requirements,
Working knowledge of profitability metrics
Analytical skills and attention to detail to perform market analysis, customer research, opportunity sizing, profitability assessments, and risk/legal/compliance assessments
Communication and interpersonal skills to educate audience and advocate recommendations with team members and stakeholders at all levels of the organization
Decision making skills to create scope and content for consumer market research, and use insights to develop product design and features
Strategic thinking and facilitation skills
Leadership and coaching skills to mentor peers and guide team members
Presentation skills to provide research data and recommendations to senior leadership
Willingness to pursue and complete higher education/professional designations
Advanced proficiency in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)

Nice To Haves

Professional designations (e.g. CLU, ChFC, CFP, MBA, PMP)

Responsibilities

Establish and drive the strategic vision for market analysis and competitive intelligence, identifying emerging trends, disruptive market shifts, and growth opportunities. Translate market insights into product strategies and differentiated value propositions that drive business growth and competitive advantage.
Direct the evaluation and prioritization of market opportunities and innovation initiatives, building compelling business cases that influence investment decisions. Leverage distributor feedback, consumer insights, industry trends, demographic changes, and competitive dynamics to shape the long-term product roadmap and strategic portfolio direction.
Lead product development initiatives, aligning cross-functional teams around product vision, feature prioritization, profitability objectives, market positioning, sales targets, and launch strategies. Ensure initiatives support enterprise growth objectives and deliver measurable business outcomes.
Champion innovation and product incubation efforts by overseeing feasibility assessments, research and development activities, hypothesis testing, and opportunity sizing. Lead the development of enterprise-level capability-based assessments and execution strategies while identifying operational, technological, and market implications of new opportunities.
Serve as a thought leader and product subject matter expert to executive leadership and business stakeholders, partnering with Distribution, Marketing, Finance, Technology, Operations, and other functional leaders to define and optimize product strategy, investment priorities, and go-to-market plans.
Leverage strategic partnerships with distributors, TPAs, vendors, and external industry stakeholders, influencing product direction, identifying new growth opportunities, and enhancing organizational market intelligence.
Develop and deliver executive-level communications and recommendations, synthesizing complex research, financial analysis, and market intelligence into actionable strategic insights. Present business cases, innovation opportunities, and portfolio recommendations to senior leadership to support enterprise decision-making.

Benefits

Competitive Pay
Bonus for Eligible Employees
Pension Plan
401k Match
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Tuition Reimbursement
Disability Insurance
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Employee Discounts
Career Training & Development Opportunities
Paid Time Off starting at 160 hours annually for employees in their first year of service.
Ten (10) paid holidays per year (typically mirroring the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) holidays).
Be Well Company holistic wellness program, which includes Wellness Coaching and Reward Dollars
Parental Leave – fifteen (15) days of paid parental leave per calendar year to eligible employees with at least one year of service at the time of birth, placement of an adopted child, or placement of a foster care child.
Adoption Assistance
Employee Assistance Program
Back-Up Care Program
PTO for Volunteer Hours
Employee Matching Gifts Program
Employee Resource Groups
Inclusion and Diversity Programs
Employee Recognition Program
Referral Bonus Programs