Managing Director, Investment Strategy

Guardian Life Insurance • New York, NY

2d

About The Position

The Managing Director, Investment Strategy plays a critical leadership role within the Office of the CIO at Guardian Life. This role works closely with the Head of ALM & Investment Strategy to design, implement, and oversee the execution of Guardian Life’s investment strategy, maintaining appropriate alignment between assets and liabilities within company defined risk parameters and strategic objectives. This role leads cross-functional initiatives in collaboration with internal teams and external asset managers. Additionally, this individual will influence the continued evolution of the General Account by identifying areas of opportunity beyond current capabilities, including exploring areas of potential strategic partnership and/or other unique structures to maximize value. This is a high impact, visible leadership role requiring thought leadership, development and oversight of complex investment strategies, and the ability to shape and drive Guardian Life’s investment strategy and growth agenda. The Managing Director, Investment Strategy’s key responsibilities will include: Partner with the Head of ALM & Investment Strategy in the development, implementation, and oversight of investment strategy Develop asset strategies for both new and existing insurance products Collaborate with internal stakeholders—including Actuarial, Finance, Risk, and Operations—to support enterprise-wide initiatives including ALM, capital planning, and product development Develop market insights and portfolio analysis and produce investment recommendations to optimize overall portfolio construction Work with other members of the investment team to maximize relative value opportunities and implement tactical asset allocation strategies Oversee development of annual investment plan Represent the investment function to external stakeholders such as third-party asset managers and potential business partners, clearly communicating investment objectives and providing guidance to ensure alignment with Guardian’s overall portfolio strategy Support preparation and delivery of periodic reports to senior management as required Contribute to maintaining a high-performing investment team by providing mentorship to colleagues, and by advancing best ideas You are: Intellectually curious and creative, with a clear focus on delivering superior investment results A strong leader, able to successfully lead and execute investment initiates and cross-functional strategic projects with enterprise-wide impact Approachable, communicate effectively and confidently, and work well with others across the firm. Ability to represent the firm in presentations to the senior management, the Board, and key external partners Innovative, proactive, and willing to propose new ideas. Welcome being challenged and to challenge others to promote best practices A change agent who thrives in dynamic, growth-oriented environments Champion diversity of thought and foster a culture of collaboration and innovation You have: Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business, or a related field; CFA charter holder preferred 7-12+ years of relevant experience in investment management, preferably within an insurance or reinsurance environment; prior experience at a US life and annuity insurance company strongly preferred Comprehensive knowledge across public and private fixed income and alternative asset classes and the ability to analyze and evaluate market and industry trends, and investment exposures to market risks Deep understanding of liability-driven investing and ALM for an insurance company. Broad understanding of insurance general account liabilities Familiarity with regulatory, capital, and accounting frameworks, specifically in a US context (NAIC, RBC, STAT, etc.). Knowledge of Bermuda is also a plus Ability to manage relationships with external stakeholders, and to evaluate and influence asset manager performance to meet company objectives Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to present complex concepts and ideas to senior leaders and build effective working relationships across both internal teams and external partners Strategic thinker with strong quantitative, analytical and problem-solving skills 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 www.guardianlife.com/careers/corporate/benefits. 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.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business, or a related field; CFA charter holder preferred
• 7-12+ years of relevant experience in investment management, preferably within an insurance or reinsurance environment; prior experience at a US life and annuity insurance company strongly preferred
• Comprehensive knowledge across public and private fixed income and alternative asset classes and the ability to analyze and evaluate market and industry trends, and investment exposures to market risks
• Deep understanding of liability-driven investing and ALM for an insurance company.
• Broad understanding of insurance general account liabilities
• Familiarity with regulatory, capital, and accounting frameworks, specifically in a US context (NAIC, RBC, STAT, etc.). Knowledge of Bermuda is also a plus
• Ability to manage relationships with external stakeholders, and to evaluate and influence asset manager performance to meet company objectives
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to present complex concepts and ideas to senior leaders and build effective working relationships across both internal teams and external partners
• Strategic thinker with strong quantitative, analytical and problem-solving skills

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Head of ALM & Investment Strategy in the development, implementation, and oversight of investment strategy
• Develop asset strategies for both new and existing insurance products
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders—including Actuarial, Finance, Risk, and Operations—to support enterprise-wide initiatives including ALM, capital planning, and product development
• Develop market insights and portfolio analysis and produce investment recommendations to optimize overall portfolio construction
• Work with other members of the investment team to maximize relative value opportunities and implement tactical asset allocation strategies
• Oversee development of annual investment plan
• Represent the investment function to external stakeholders such as third-party asset managers and potential business partners, clearly communicating investment objectives and providing guidance to ensure alignment with Guardian’s overall portfolio strategy
• Support preparation and delivery of periodic reports to senior management as required
• Contribute to maintaining a high-performing investment team by providing mentorship to colleagues, and by advancing best ideas

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: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees