AVP Strategy & Innovation

Athene; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Athene seeks an AVP of Strategy & Innovation to translate high-priority opportunities into operating capabilities and partnerships. Based in Austin, you will collaborate with Athene and Apollo leaders to shape roadmaps and launch scalable solutions across product, distribution and technology.

The role requires 8+ years in strategy or related fields, with strong executive influence and a track record of moving initiatives from concept to launch. MBA or advanced degree preferred, AI fluency a plus.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in strategy, product innovation, or related transformation roles.
• Experience launching initiatives with roadmaps and cross-functional coordination.
• Ability to engage with C-suite and translate opportunities into requirements.
• Industry knowledge in wealth management, banking, retirement, digital distribution or advisor platforms.
• Fluency using AI to improve analysis and execution.
• Bachelor’s degree; MBA or advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead priority strategic growth and innovation initiatives from thesis to launch.
• Frame decisions for C-suite executives and align stakeholders.
• Drive and support complex strategic partnerships with distributors and tech providers.
• Lead day-to-day relationship management and coordinate cross-functional work.
• Develop integrated roadmaps for technology and business capabilities.
• Translate priorities into sequenced product, tech and operating requirements.

Skills

Strategy experience

C-suite communication

Partnerships & collaboration

AI for analysis

Financial services domain knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

MBA or advanced degree preferred

Job description

We are driven to do more. More for our customers and the financial professionals who offer our products. If you are driven to do more and love the challenge of pursuing more, Athene is your kind of company. You will find we offer more than the basics to create an inclusive and dynamic work environment at our various locations.

Purpose: Athene is building the next generation of its retirement solutions business, expanding how we serve our distribution partners, reach customers, and use technology to create more scalable, integrated experiences. Based in Athene and Apollo’s Austin strategic growth hub, the AVP, Strategy & Innovation will work directly with Athene’s C-suite and senior leaders across Athene and Apollo to translate high-priority strategic opportunities into operating capabilities, commercial partnerships and launched solutions. This is a strategy role with a strong execution mandate. You will help shape and implement an evolving operating model, lead the execution of strategic partnerships, develop technology and capability roadmaps, and advance opportunities from concept through launch. You will operate across strategy, technology, product, distribution and partnerships, leveraging Apollo’s scale and capabilities while helping Athene continue to innovate and grow. Success requires curiosity to reimagine what is possible, the judgment to make sound decisions in ambiguity and the ownership mindset to make it happen.

Accountabilities

• Lead priority strategic growth and innovation initiatives from thesis and business case development through solution design, execution and launch.
• Frame decisions for C-suite executives and other senior leaders and maintain accountability for stakeholder alignment, dependencies, milestones and outcomes.
• Drive and support complex strategic partnerships with distributors and technology providers.
• Lead day-to-day relationship management and coordinate work across external partners and internal teams, translating commercial objectives into clear requirements, workplans and implemented solutions.
• Develop and oversee integrated roadmaps for the technology and business capabilities required to support strategic growth initiatives.
• Translate business priorities into sequenced product, technology and operating requirements and implementation plans.
• Implement and continuously evolve the operating model connecting strategic growth initiatives with established product, distribution, technology and operations functions, including clear decision rights, governance, handoffs and accountability across teams.
• Maximize the enterprise value of innovation capabilities by connecting them to broader business priorities and facilitating their adoption and reuse across Athene’s channels and operations.
• Coordinate the cross-functional dependencies required to realize that value.

Qualifications and Experience

• 8+ years of relevant experience in strategy, product innovation, technology-enabled transformation or operating model development within financial services or in consulting or technology roles serving financial institutions.
• Demonstrated success moving complex initiatives from strategy through launch, including developing business cases, defining operating and capability requirements, establishing roadmaps and coordinating implementation across business and technology teams.
• Experience structuring and executing strategic partnerships or platform integrations, with the ability to translate commercial opportunities into clear product, technology and operating requirements
• Demonstrated ability to engage credibly with C-suite and senior leaders, frame complex decisions, influence across organizational boundaries and drive alignment without direct authority.
• Working knowledge of one or more relevant markets, such as wealth management, banking, retirement, digital distribution, direct-to-consumer financial services or RIA and advisor platforms.
• Fluency using AI to improve analysis, decision-making and execution.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience; MBA or other advanced degree preferred.

Drive. Discipline. Confidence. Focus. Commitment.

Learn more about working at Athene. Athene is a Military Friendly Employer! Learn more about how we support our Veterans. Athene is committed to inclusion and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.

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