Remote Absence Advisory Leader

Guardian; Boston (MA); Remote; USD 121,000 - 199,000; Full time

Job summary

Guardian is seeking a National Absence Practice Leader to shape and advance its Absence Management value proposition across the Advisory Market. You will bring deep expertise in FMLA, ADA, and family leave programs to guide brokers, clients, and internal partners through complex markets.

You will lead cross-functional collaboration, identify growth opportunities, and improve the planholder experience from proposal through implementation, while presenting and training as a trusted advisor across

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education, training, and extensive relevant experience.
• Demonstrated success in an absence, disability, benefits, or related advisory role that includes consultative guidance.
• Deep knowledge of group life, absence, and disability products including FMLA, state leave programs, ADA accommodations, Paid Family and Medical Leave, short-term and long-term disability.
• End-to-end understanding of absence and disability claims processes and major business processes that affect Absence Management service delivery.
• Proven ability to build and sustain broker, vendor, client, and cross-functional relationships and to influence without direct authority.
• Experience leading complex or specialized projects, change efforts, and process improvements with significant autonomy.
• Strong executive communication, presentation, training, collaboration, business acumen, strategic thinking, customer focus, and results orientation.

Responsibilities

• Advance Guardian's Absence Management value proposition by partnering with Sales, Client Management, Product, Underwriting, Marketing, Thought Leadership, and operations to identify opportunities, support profitable growth, and improve service outcomes.
• Build and maintain Advisory Market broker and vendor relationships, develop segment-specific growth strategies with Distribution partners, and deliver consultative materials, training, and presentations aligned with partner needs.
• Serve as the Absence Management subject matter expert for finalist and broker presentations, RFP responses, competitive intelligence, internal training, and client or planholder discussions, both virtually and onsite.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory, competitive, and industry developments; identify service gaps and emerging opportunities; and recommend practical product, process, marketing, or service improvements.
• Lead complex projects and new-business implementation support with limited oversight, mentor and advise colleagues across levels, represent Guardian at industry events, and provide backup support to the Head of Absence and Disability Practices.

Skills

Absence/disability expertise

Relationship building

Strategic leadership

Executive communication

Training/presenting

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Guardian is seeking a National Absence Practice Leader to shape and advance its Absence Management value proposition across the Advisory Market. You will bring deep expertise in FMLA, ADA, and family leave programs to guide brokers, clients, and internal partners through complex markets.

You will lead cross-functional collaboration, identify growth opportunities, and improve the planholder experience from proposal through implementation, while presenting and training as a trusted advisor across