API Solution Lead

Guardianlife; United States; Hybrid; USD 103,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Guardian is seeking an API Solution Lead to bridge business and technology, driving design, development, and adoption of APIs across the enterprise. You will partner with business leaders, architects, developers, product teams, and external partners to advance API strategy, deliver integrations that create market value, and ensure APIs remain best-in-class.

You are a strategic thinker with business acumen and technical know-how, capable of influencing across a matrixed organization, translating

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• 3+ years leading and delivering complex business and technology initiatives.
• Experience working within a SAFe Agile software development environment.
• Strong product management, program management, and process improvement skills.
• Ability to translate business requirements into technical capabilities and customer-focused solutions.
• Experience collaborating with business, technology, architecture, vendor, and product teams to prioritize and manage work across multiple stakeholders.
• Experience using Agile tools including Jira, Jira Align, and Confluence.
• Strong understanding of API development concepts, integration strategies, and digital ecosystems.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Proven ability to work effectively within a matrixed organization.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary liaison between business and technology teams to align API initiatives with enterprise objectives and customer needs.
• Lead and champion Guardian's API strategy, partnering across Agile Release Trains and stakeholder groups to drive API adoption and business value.
• Collaborate with business leaders, architects, developers, and product teams to design and deliver scalable APIs that enhance customer and partner experiences.
• Support API implementation activities, including testing, configuration, deployment, security considerations, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Monitor API adoption, usage metrics, and customer feedback to identify opportunities for optimization, innovation, and enhanced user experiences.
• Drive change management efforts, promote API-first thinking, and educate stakeholders on the value and strategic importance of APIs.
• Partner with external vendors, carriers, and industry organizations to advance integration capabilities and align with evolving industry standards.
• Mentor and coach peers and team members while helping establish best practices across the API development and integration landscape.

Skills

SAFe Agile

API strategy

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Product management

Program management

Process improvement

Vendor collaboration

Communication

Matrixed organization navigation

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience

Tools

Jira

Jira Align

Confluence

Job description

Position Summary

Are you passionate about API strategy, digital transformation, and creating innovative connectivity solutions that improve customer experiences? Do you thrive at the intersection of business and technology, translating complex business needs into scalable digital capabilities? Guardian is seeking an API Solution Lead to serve as the bridge between business and technology teams, driving the design, development, and adoption of APIs across the enterprise. In this role, you will partner closely with business leaders, architects, developers, product teams, and external partners to advance Guardian's API strategy, deliver integrations that create market value, and ensure our APIs remain best-in-class. You will play a critical role in shaping Guardian's digital ecosystem while helping accelerate innovation, customer experience, and strategic partnerships.

You Are

A strategic thinker and lifelong learner who is energized by emerging technologies, digital transformation, and industry collaboration. You possess a strong blend of business acumen and technical expertise, enabling you to align stakeholders around a common vision while driving successful API initiatives. You excel in cross-functional environments where influencing without authority, solving complex problems, and building relationships are essential. You are comfortable navigating conversations with business leaders, developers, architects, and external partners while championing API-first thinking across the organization. You have a passion for improving customer experiences, creating scalable integration solutions, and helping organizations adapt to evolving technology and industry standards.

You Have

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience
• Minimum of 3 years of experience leading and delivering complex business and technology initiatives, transformational programs, or digital product initiatives
• Experience working within a SAFe Agile software development environment
• Strong product management, program management, and process improvement skills
• Ability to translate business requirements into technical capabilities and customer-focused solutions
• Experience collaborating with business, technology, architecture, vendor, and product teams to prioritize and manage work across multiple stakeholders
• Experience using Agile tools including Jira, Jira Align, and Confluence
• Strong understanding of API development concepts, integration strategies, and digital ecosystems
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization
• Proven ability to work effectively within a matrixed organization

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting enterprise API strategies and governance initiatives
• Experience working with external technology partners, carriers, or industry organizations
• Knowledge of insurance, financial services, or benefits administration ecosystems
• Experience mentoring team members in product management, API development, or Agile practices
• Familiarity with API implementation, testing, security, deployment, and operational support

You Will

• Act as the primary liaison between business and technology teams to align API initiatives with enterprise objectives and customer needs.
• Lead and champion Guardian's API strategy, partnering across Agile Release Trains and stakeholder groups to drive API adoption and business value.
• Collaborate with business leaders, architects, developers, and product teams to design and deliver scalable APIs that enhance customer and partner experiences.
• Support API implementation activities, including testing, configuration, deployment, security considerations, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Monitor API adoption, usage metrics, and customer feedback to identify opportunities for optimization, innovation, and enhanced user experiences.
• Drive change management efforts, promote API-first thinking, and educate stakeholders on the value and strategic importance of APIs.
• Partner with external vendors, carriers, and industry organizations to advance integration capabilities and align with evolving industry standards.
• Mentor and coach peers and team members while helping establish best practices across the API development and integration landscape.

Reporting Relationships

As our API Solution Lead , you will report to the leadership team within Guardian's Digital organization.

Location

This is a hybrid position requiring three days per week in a Guardian office. Preferred locations include Boston, MA; Bethlehem, PA; New York, NY (Hudson Yards); or another Guardian office location based on business needs.

Travel

Up to 10% travel may be required for internal collaboration, partner meetings, industry events, and strategic planning activities.

Salary Range:

$103,450.00 - $169,960.00 The salary range reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary locati