Head of Operations Planning

Transamerica; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Bonus for Eligible Employees

Benefits Package

Pension Plan

401k Match

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

PTO and holidays

Job summary

Transamerica is seeking a senior leader to establish and drive the enterprise strategic planning framework. You will translate company objectives into integrated priorities, investment decisions, and measurable outcomes, advising the executive team and aligning functions across the organization.

You will partner with PMO, IT, and Finance to oversee the portfolio and ensure benefits realization, while promoting transformation and accountability across teams and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, strategy, economics, or related field.
• 15 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, corporate strategy, business transformation, portfolio management, or related discipline.
• Experience leading enterprise-wide initiatives involving multiple areas, systems, stakeholders, and conflicting priorities.
• Experience advising executives and influencing enterprise strategy and investment decisions.
• Experience developing long-range plans, operating models, performance measures, and benefits realization frameworks.
• Advanced knowledge of strategic planning, portfolio governance, program management, organizational change, and business performance practices.
• Ability to evaluate complex business issues and synthesize data into actionable recommendations.
• Ability to influence decisions and build alignment across stakeholders.
• Executive communication, facilitation, negotiation, and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead enterprise strategic planning process and governance across the organization.
• Advise executive leadership on priorities, investments, and opportunities to improve performance.
• Translate objectives into actionable strategies, operating plans, and performance metrics across functions.
• Oversee enterprise portfolio management with PMO, IT, Finance, and business leaders.
• Govern evaluation and prioritization of strategic initiatives, including business cases and resource planning.
• Oversee interconnected programs and manage dependencies, milestones, and risks.
• Establish executive dashboards and reviews to measure progress and outcomes.
• Promote accountability, collaboration, and customer service excellence in transformation.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Executive communication

Portfolio management

Financial modeling

Change management

Data visualization

Stakeholder influence

Presentations

Business alignment

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/finance/strategy/economics

Master’s degree in business/finance/strategy/economics (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Data visualization tools

Job description

Job Family Corporate Development, Strategy and Sustainability

At Transamerica, hard work, innovative thinking, and personal accountability are qualities we honor and reward. We understand the potential of leveraging the talents of a diverse workforce. We embrace an environment where employees enjoy a balance between their careers, families, communities, and personal interests. Ultimately, we appreciate the uniqueness of a company where talented professionals work collaboratively in a positive environment — one focused on helping people look forward and plan for the best life possible while providing tools and solutions that make it easier to get there.

About Us

We believe everyone deserves to live their best life. More than a century ago, we were among the first financial services companies in America to serve everyday people from all walks of life. Today, we’re part of an international holding company, with millions of customers and thousands of employees worldwide. Our insurance, retirement, and investment solutions help people make the most of what’s important to them. We’re empowered by a vast agent network covering North America, with diversity to match. Together with our nonprofit research institute and foundation, we tune in, step up, and are a force for good — for our customers and the communities where we live, work, and play. United in our purpose, we help people create the financial freedom to live life on their terms.

Who We Are

We believe everyone deserves to live their best life. More than a century ago, we were among the first financial services companies in America to serve everyday people from all walks of life. Today, we’re part of an international holding company, with millions of customers and thousands of employees worldwide. Our insurance, retirement, and investment solutions help people make the most of what’s important to them. We’re empowered by a vast agent network covering North America, with diversity to match. Together with our nonprofit research institute and foundation, we tune in, step up, and are a force for good — for our customers and the communities where we live, work, and play. United in our purpose, we help people create the financial freedom to live life on their terms.

What We Do

Transamerica is organized into three distinct businesses. These include 1) World Financial Group, including Transamerica Financial Advisors, 2) Protection Solutions and Savings & Investments, comprised of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits, retirement plans, and Transamerica Investment Solutions, and 3) Financial Assets, which includes legacy blocks of long term care, universal life, and variable and fixed annuities. These are supported by Transamerica Corporate, which includes Finance, People and Places, General Counsel, Risk, Internal Audit, Strategy and Development, and Corporate Affairs, which covers Communications, Brand, and Government and Policy Affairs. Transamerica employs nearly 7,000 people. It’s part of Aegon, an integrated, diversified, international financial services group serving approximately 23.9 million customers worldwide.* For more information, visit transamerica.com.

Job Description Summary

Establish and lead the enterprise strategic planning framework, translating company objectives into integrated priorities, investment decisions, and measurable outcomes. Advise executive leadership and align functions across the organization to accelerate execution, strengthen accountability, and deliver sustainable business value.

Job Description Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the enterprise strategic planning process, including long-range planning, annual planning, strategic prioritization, and performance monitoring.
• Advise executive leadership on enterprise priorities, strategic alternatives, emerging risks, investment decisions, and opportunities to improve business performance.
• Translate company objectives into actionable strategies, operating plans, performance measures, and governance practices across functions and business areas.
• Partner with the Project Management Office (PMO), Information Technology (IT), Finance, and business leaders to oversee the enterprise portfolio management process.
• Govern the evaluation and prioritization of strategic initiatives, including business case development, resource planning, benefits realization, risk assessment, and investment alignment.
• Oversee interconnected strategic programs and resolve enterprise-level dependencies, critical milestones, resource constraints, scope changes, and execution risks.
• Establish executive dashboards and performance reviews that measure progress, financial and operational outcomes, strategic risks, and benefits realization.
• Champion enterprise transformation and organizational change while promoting accountability, collaboration, innovation, and customer service excellence.
• Define and implement strategic planning and program management methodologies, tools, decision rights, governance forums, and communication standards.
• Build organizational strategic planning capabilities and foster alignment among executive leaders, functional teams, and other key stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, strategy, economics, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• 15 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, corporate strategy, business transformation, portfolio management, or a related discipline
• Experience leading complex, enterprise-wide initiatives involving multiple business areas, systems, stakeholders, and competing priorities
• Experience advising executive leaders and influencing enterprise strategy, investment decisions, and organizational priorities
• Experience developing long-range plans, business cases, operating models, performance measures, and benefits realization frameworks
• Advanced knowledge of strategic planning, portfolio governance, program management, organizational change, and business performance practices
• Ability to evaluate complex business issues, synthesize qualitative and quantitative information, and develop actionable recommendations
• Ability to influence decisions, resolve conflict, and build alignment across executive, functional, and operational stakeholders
• Exceptional executive communication, facilitation, negotiation, and presentation skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and strategic planning, portfolio management, and data visualization tools

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business, finance, strategy, or a related field
• Experience leading strategy or transformation within a complex, regulated organization
• Experience developing or transforming an enterprise strategic planning function
• Experience with scenario planning, financial modeling, market analysis, and operating model design

Working Conditions

Office Environment Occasional Travel <10% Occasional travel for strategic planning sessions, leadership meetings, and enterprise initiatives

Compensation

The Salary for this position generally ranges between $200,000 - $250,000 annually. Please note that the salary range is a good faith estimate for this position and actual starting pay is determined by several factors including qualifications, experience, geography, work location designation (in-office, hybrid, remote) and operational needs. Salary may vary above and below the stated amounts, as permitted by applicable law. Additionally, this position is typically eligible for an Annual Bonus based on the Company Bonus Plan/Individual Performance and is at the Company’s discretion. Applicants must possess legal authorization to work for our company in the U.S. without the need for immigration, sponsorship or otherwise serving as an employer of record for immigration employment purposes. At this time, this role is not eligible for immigration-related employment authorization sponsorship. This job description is not a contract of employment nor for any specific job responsibilities. The Company may change, add to, remove, or revoke the terms of this job description at its discretion. Managers may assign other duties and responsibilities as needed. In the event an employee or applicant requests or requires an accommodation to perform job functions, the applicable HR Business Partner should be contacted to evaluate the accommodation request.

What We Offer

• Competitive Pay
• Bonus for Eligible Employees
• Benefits Package
• Pension Plan
• 401k Match
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Disability Insurance
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Employee Discounts
• Career Training & Development Opportunities
• Health and Work/Life Balance Benefits
• Paid Time Off starting at 160 hours annually for employees in their first year of service.
• Ten (10) paid holidays per year (typically mirroring the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) holidays).
• Be Well Company holistic wellness program, which includes Wellness Coaching and Reward Dollars
• Parental Leave – fifteen (15) days of paid parental leave per calendar year to eligible employees with at least one year of service at the time of birth, placement of an adopted child, or placement of a foster care child.
• Adoption Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Back-Up Care Program
• PTO for Volunteer Hours
• Employee Matching Gifts Program
• Employee Resource Groups
• Inclusion and Diversity Programs
• Employee Recognition Program
• Referral Bonus Programs
• Inclusion & Diversity

We believe our commitment to diversity and inclusion creates a work environment filled with exceptional individuals. We’re thrilled to have been recognized for our efforts through the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, Dave Thomas Adoption Friendly Advocate, and several Seramount lists, including the Inclusion Index, 100 Best Companies for Working Parents, Best Companies for Dads, and Top 75 Companies for Executive Women.

To foster a culture of inclusivity throughout our workforce, workplace, and marketplace, Transamerica offers a wide range of diversity and inclusion programs. This includes our company-sponsored, employee-driven Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which are formed around a shared interest or a common characteristic of diversity. ERGs are open to all employees. They provide a supportive environment to help us better appreciate our similarities and differences and understand how they benefit us all.

Giving Back

We believe our responsibilities extend beyond our corporate walls. That's why we created the Aegon Transamerica Foundation in 1994. Through a mix of financial grants and the volunteer efforts of our employees, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations focused on the things that matter most to our people in the communities where we live and work.

Transamerica’s Parent Company

Aegon acquired the Transamerica business in 1999. Since its start in 1844, Aegon has grown into an international company serving more than 23.9 million people across the globe.* It offers investment, protection, and retirement solutions, always with a clear purpose: Helping people live their best lives. As a leading global investor and employer, the company seeks to have a positive impact by addressing critical environmental and societal issues, with a focus on climate change and inclusion and diversity.

* As of December 31, 2023

At Transamerica, hard work, innovative thinking, and personal accountability are qualities we honor and reward. We understand the potential unleashed by leveraging the talents of a diverse workforce. We embrace an environment where employees enjoy a balance between their careers, families, communities, and personal interests. Ultimately, we appreciate the uniqueness of a company where talented professionals work collaboratively in a positive environment — one focused on helping people look forward and plan for the best life possible while providing tools and solutions that make it easier to get there.

Transamerica is a part of Aegon, an integrated, diversified, international financial services group. The Aegon companies employ over 21,500 people and have approximately 31.7 million customers.

For more information, visitwww.transamerica.com.

* As of December 31, 2022

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