Head of Annuity Business Development

Guardian Life; Holmdel Township (NJ); On-site; USD 148,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial services provider in Holmdel Township is seeking a Head of Annuity Business Development to lead initiatives expanding their annuity business. This role involves identifying growth opportunities, leading complex projects, and advising senior leaders on market trends. Candidates should have over 10 years of experience in annuity strategy and highly developed communication skills. The position offers a competitive salary range between $148,940 and $244,685, along with comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Leadership development

Diverse workplace

Philanthropic opportunities

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in annuity strategy, business development, or product innovation.
• Mastery-level understanding of annuity products and distribution dynamics.
• Proven experience leading complex, high-impact projects.

Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate strategic growth opportunities across Guardian's annuity business.
• Lead complex initiatives and projects from concept through execution.
• Advise senior leaders on market trends and business dynamics.

Skills

Leadership in annuity markets

Strategic thinking

Problem-solving

Communication

Influence senior stakeholders

Education

Bachelor’s degree

MBA or advanced degree

Job description

Overview

Guardian is seeking a Head of Annuity Business Development to lead strategic initiatives that expand our annuity business. Reporting to the Head of Annuities, this individual contributor role is responsible for identifying growth opportunities, leading complex projects, and influencing cross-functional stakeholders to drive innovation and business performance.

Do you want to be part of a forward-thinking team that drives Guardian’s annuity growth strategy? Are you a strategic thinker who thrives on solving complex business challenges, leading high-impact initiatives, and influencing senior stakeholders? Do you bring deep domain expertise and a passion for identifying new opportunities and shaping the future of annuities?

You are

An experienced leader with expertise in annuity markets and business strategy. You excel at anticipating market and regulatory shifts, solving complex problems, and leading strategic initiatives with broad impact. You are comfortable operating independently in a dynamic environment, influencing senior leaders, and communicating complex ideas to diverse audiences.

You will

• Identify and evaluate strategic growth opportunities across Guardian’s annuity business.

• Lead complex initiatives and projects with notable risk and visibility, from concept through execution.

• Advise senior leaders on market trends, business dynamics, and emerging opportunities.

• Develop business cases, internal documents and strategic recommendations that influence functional and enterprise-level decisions.

• Collaborate across product, distribution, finance, legal, and compliance teams to align on priorities and execution.

• Communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to diverse internal and external audiences.

• Influence stakeholders to adopt new approaches, improve client service, and drive innovation.

• Contribute to the development of functional strategy and long-term business planning.

Key stakeholders include Guardian Product, Marketing, Operations, Legal, and Distribution.

You have

• 10+ years of experience in annuity strategy, business development, or product innovation or related work experience.

• Mastery-level understanding of annuity products, preferably group products, distribution dynamics, and regulatory considerations.

• Proven experience leading complex, high-impact projects across cross-functional teams.

• Ability to manage multiple workstreams with competing deliverables across key initiatives

• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders and external partners.

• A bachelor’s degree and MBA or advanced degree preferred.

Salary

Salary Range: $148,940.00 - $244,685.00

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 GuardianLife’s career page: 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].

Current Guardian Colleagues: Please apply through the internal Jobs Hub in Workday.