Vice President, Innovation & Strategy

EquiTrust Life Insurance Co.; West Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

EquiTrust Life Insurance Company is seeking an Assistant Vice President, Innovation to lead the development and execution of enterprise-wide innovation initiatives in West Des Moines, IA. This role focuses on identifying new technologies, piloting pilots, and driving business growth through technology-enabled solutions.

The position emphasizes collaboration with business and IT leaders, external partners, and diverse teams to deliver scalable outcomes while fostering a culture of experimentation

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in innovation, strategy, digital transformation, product development, or related fields.
• Experience leading innovation programs, technology pilots, or digital transformation initiatives from concept through implementation.
• Experience identifying and evaluating emerging technologies and translating business challenges into innovative solutions.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, business leaders, and external partners to deliver strategic initiatives.
• Experience within life insurance, financial services, or other regulated industries preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of innovation programs, pilots, and strategic initiatives that support business transformation and organizational priorities.
• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies, industry trends, and business opportunities to inform innovation strategies and investments.
• Facilitate ideation, experimentation, and proof-of-concept initiatives, helping transform promising ideas into scalable business and technology solutions.
• Partner with business and IT leaders to develop innovation roadmaps and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, enhance customer experiences, and drive business growth.
• Explore and pilot emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, automation, cloud platforms, and other digital capabilities.
• Build relationships with internal stakeholders, technology providers, startups, and strategic partners to support innovation initiatives and collaboration.
• Establish and monitor innovation metrics to evaluate program effectiveness, measure outcomes, and communicate progress to senior leadership.
• Promote a culture of innovation by encouraging creative thinking, responsible experimentation, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning across the organization.
• Lead and mentor innovation team members and cross-functional project teams, supporting professional development, resource planning, and successful project delivery.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and forward-thinking work environment that encourages diverse perspectives and ideas.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical

Problem-solving

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Technology/Information Systems

Certifications in AI or human-centered design

Job description

EquiTrust Life Insurance Company is seeking an Assistant Vice President, Innovation to lead the development and execution of enterprise-wide innovation initiatives in West Des Moines, IA. This role focuses on identifying new technologies, piloting pilots, and driving business growth through technology-enabled solutions.

The position emphasizes collaboration with business and IT leaders, external partners, and diverse teams to deliver scalable outcomes while fostering a culture of experimentation