Strategic Projects Lead

Guardian Life Insurance • Holmdel Township, NJ

1d

About The Position

Guardian is seeking a Strategic Projects Lead to translate priority strategies into data-driven plans and measurable outcomes. This individual will own initiatives end-to-end—from strategy conception and business-case development through execution, adoption, and post‑implementation ROI & KPI tracking. This position is execution‑focused SME work: rigorous analysis, clear hypotheses, pragmatic solution design, and disciplined follow‑through. The Strategic Projects Lead partners with a dedicated project manager for timeline support while retaining accountability for strategy fidelity and results. The position also aligns with our values of We do the right thing, We believe people count, We courageously shape our future together, and We go above and beyond for the people we serve. You are A strategic thinker and subject matter expert who connects business goals to practical, measurable solutions. You are hypothesis-driven and data-literate, comfortable building models, testing assumptions, and drawing defensible conclusions.With a strong bias for clarity, simplicity, and timely delivery, you influence cross-functional teams without a formal authority and ensure accuracy in analysis and documentation. You thrive on collaboration, partnering effectively to own and drive strategy, scope, KPIs, and ROI. You will Conceive & shape strategy: Frame problems, develop options, and produce business cases (financial impact, qualitative benefits, risks, dependencies). Plan for execution: Translate strategy into a clear delivery roadmap (scope, success criteria, KPI definitions, baselines/targets, measurement plan). Lead functional workstreams: Facilitate decisioning sessions; define requirements and acceptance criteria; ensure solution integrity across Ops, Tech, Risk, Compliance, and Finance. Partner with a project manager: Leverage PM support for ceremonies, schedules, and RAID tracking while maintaining single‑threaded ownership of outcomes. Build measurement & insight: Stand up KPI and ROI tracking (dashboards, scorecards, adoption metrics); monitor leading/lagging indicators; recommend course corrections. Run pilots & validate value: Design experiments, tests, and post‑implementation reviews; codify lessons learned and scale plans. Drive change & adoption: Create playbooks, cutover plans, training outlines, and communications to enable smooth rollout and sustained usage. Guard the quality bar: Review analyses, financial models, and decision memos for accuracy and logical rigor; ensure documentation is complete and auditable. Report concisely: Provide executive‑ready status dashboards and one‑page updates focused on objectives, KPIs, risks, and decisions required.

Requirements

• 5–7 years in strategy, business analysis, or consulting, ideally within financial services or a similarly regulated environment.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into action and deliver measurable outcomes (KPIs improved, costs reduced, revenue or client experience uplift).
• Financial modeling and analytical skills (Excel; familiarity with Tableau preferred); comfort defining baselines, targets, and ROI.
• Strong structured problem‑solving (issue trees, hypotheses, sensitivity/driver analysis) and clear written/visual communication.
• Experience leading cross‑functional execution with partners in Operations, Technology, Risk/Compliance, and Finance.
• Change‑management aptitude: preparing stakeholders, enabling adoption, and sustaining performance post‑launch.
• This is an individual contributor role (no direct reports), with an execution‑oriented scope and results accountability.

Responsibilities

• Conceive & shape strategy: Frame problems, develop options, and produce business cases (financial impact, qualitative benefits, risks, dependencies).
• Plan for execution: Translate strategy into a clear delivery roadmap (scope, success criteria, KPI definitions, baselines/targets, measurement plan).
• Lead functional workstreams: Facilitate decisioning sessions; define requirements and acceptance criteria; ensure solution integrity across Ops, Tech, Risk, Compliance, and Finance.
• Partner with a project manager: Leverage PM support for ceremonies, schedules, and RAID tracking while maintaining single‑threaded ownership of outcomes.
• Build measurement & insight: Stand up KPI and ROI tracking (dashboards, scorecards, adoption metrics); monitor leading/lagging indicators; recommend course corrections.
• Run pilots & validate value: Design experiments, tests, and post‑implementation reviews; codify lessons learned and scale plans.
• Drive change & adoption: Create playbooks, cutover plans, training outlines, and communications to enable smooth rollout and sustained usage.
• Guard the quality bar: Review analyses, financial models, and decision memos for accuracy and logical rigor; ensure documentation is complete and auditable.
• Report concisely: Provide executive‑ready status dashboards and one‑page updates focused on objectives, KPIs, risks, and decisions required.

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.
• Benefits apply to full-time eligible employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees