Associate, Enterprise Strategy & Planning

Guardian Life; New York, Northern (NY, KY); On-site; USD 95,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

Guardian Life is seeking an Associate, Enterprise Strategy & Planning to help define long-range plans and deliver strategic initiatives across the organization. You will support internal consulting engagements, partner with senior sponsors, business units, and corporate functions, and work with the Enterprise Strategy team to provide frameworks and solutions.

The role requires 3+ years in strategy/management consulting or internal strategy within financial services, with strong Excel and

Qualifications

• Strong problem-solving skills and structured approach to complex questions.
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative analysis to support data-driven recommendations.
• Excellent written and oral communication abilities.
• Bachelor’s degree from a top institution with demonstrated leadership.

Responsibilities

• Work on strategic problems with potential for tangible impact across Guardian.
• Gain exposure to multiple functions and businesses across the company.
• Build a network of peers and collaborators across business units.
• Receive mentorship and coaching from experienced leaders at Guardian.

Skills

Problem-Solving

Quantitative Analysis

Qualitative Analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

We are currently seeking a strategic and collaborative Associate, Enterprise Strategy & Planning. In the highly impactful role, you will help develop the long-range plans for Guardian and partner with key stakeholders to identify, develop, evaluate, prioritize and deliver strategic initiatives across the organization. You will support internal consulting engagements to solve critical strategic questions for the Guardian Leadership Team, working with senior sponsors, business units, and corporate functions, while partnering closely with the rest of the Enterprise Strategy team. A successful candidate will work across the Enterprise Strategy & Transformation team to provide strategic frameworks and deliver on critical strategy projects. You will structure problem-solving, conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses of operational and financial data, and organize industry/ competitor research to continuously evaluate Guardian’s positioning. You will also synthesize your findings for senior-level audiences through both written and verbal communications. This position offers a unique opportunity to gain broad exposure to Guardian's business while creating pathways for long-term career development and internal mobility. The role reports to Guardian’s Head of Enterprise Strategy & Planning. You will partner closely with Guardian’s Corporate Development, AI Strategic Transformation, and Finance teams, as well as counterparts in business units and corporate functions. Your work will span across: Enterprise-wide strategy development – Work to define the strategic direction, with both near-term and long-term priorities for Guardian. This will be supported by research, analytics, and logical problem solving and strategic frameworks. Internal strategy consulting – working with a senior sponsor, execute deep-dive strategy projects on high priority topics for the business units and corporate functions Strategic planning – support with the enterprise-wide processes that drive strategy, including objectives and target setting, portfolio planning, and quarterly progress updates. Growth initiatives and innovation – assess or develop business cases for new ideas driving innovation, partnerships, and other areas of investment outside of BAU. Identify, frame, and implement specific cross-cutting strategic initiatives that are critical to the success of Guardian’s overall strategy. Prepare materials for senior leadership – in partnership with the Enterprise Strategy team, develop agenda, content, and analysis for key strategic fora, including the annual Strategy Session of the Board and the annual Guardian Leadership Team Strategic Planning offsite.

You are:

• A strategic problem-solver, with demonstrated experience in using frameworks and analysis to support data‑driven recommendations
• Experienced in conducting analysis on short time frames and with limited data, in a consulting‑style approach
• Highly organized and efficient, with ability to prioritize across multiple projects and competing demands at any given time
• An effective communicator (both oral and written) with ability to work well on cross‑functional teams
• Results‑oriented and pragmatic; looking to make real, tangible impact and ensure that recommendations can be effectively operationalized
• Proactive and resourceful, a self‑starter
• Intellectually curious and innovation minded; always asking “what’s next?”

You have:

• Strong problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated experience with quantitative and qualitative analysis
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
• Strong command of Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
• 3+ years’ experience working in roles related to strategy & management consulting within a top consulting firm or internal strategy within a financial services company
• Experience managing complex projects and/or timelines
• Bachelor’s degree from a top institution with strong academic performance and demonstrated leadership ability

You will:

• Work on interesting, complex strategic problems with a chance to make a tangible impact
• Get exposure to a variety of functions and businesses across Guardian
• Build a network of peers and collaborators across business units
• Receive hands‑on mentorship and coaching from experienced leaders at Guardian

Salary Range: $95,170.00 - $156,355.00 The salary range reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary location of the position. The salary for this position ultimately will be determined based on the education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate. In addition to salary, this role may also be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation.

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 [e-mail]. 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 Life is not currently or in the foreseeable future sponsoring employment‑based visas (e.g., such as an H-1B). In order to be a successful applicant, you must be legally authorized to work in the United States, without the need for employer sponsorship/support now or at any time in the future.

Notice Regarding Guardian’s Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment As part of Guardian’s job application process, Guardian may use artificial intelligence tools ("AI Tools") to automate the sorting and filtering of information provided by applicants as part of its preliminary screening. This preliminary screening may be used to help identify applicant materials and resumes relative to their indication that the applicant meets the requirements for the specific job for which they are applying, as specified in the listing posted on Guardian’s jobs website (Careers at Guardian at https://www.guardianlife.com/careers). At Guardian, we do not use AI Tools to substantially assist or replace human judgment or discretionary decision making in our hiring process. All hiring decisions will be made by Guardian colleagues. Please be aware that if you apply for a specific position with Guardian, you will have the choice of opting out of Guardian’s use of AI Tools during the job application process. If you would like to request an alternative process that does not utilize AI Tools or would like to request a reasonable accommodation, within ten business days of your position application, you must email your request to [e-mail], making sure to provide your name and job requisition identification number. Guardian will retain your applicant materials and resume and all information therefrom in accordance with Guardian’s document retention policy, a copy of which you may request via [e-mail]. Additionally, at applicable times, Guardian will make public the most recent bias audit results for such AI tools, which may be found here.

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 Guardian™. Learn more about Guardian at guardianlife.com.

Visa Sponsorship: Guardian Life is not currently or in the foreseeable future sponsoring employment‑based visas (e.g., such as an H-1B). In order to be a successful applicant, you must be legally authorized to work in the United States, without the need for employer sponsorship/support now or at any time in the future.