VP Product Strategy

Athene; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Athene is a leading retirement solutions provider expanding how we serve distribution partners and investors. The VP, Product Strategy & Development will lead strategy, structuring, validation, and development of innovative financial products for RIA and wealth management markets.

This role blends deep product expertise with commercial judgment, collaborating across insurance, capital markets, and asset management to bring concepts through launch and drive long-term growth.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in financial services product strategy or related roles.
• Deep knowledge of annuities and retirement products.
• Experience launching complex financial products with distribution partners.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead cross-functional initiatives with AI considerations.

Responsibilities

• Lead product strategy for new wealth management channels and opportunities.
• Design and evaluate sophisticated product structures with risk and regulatory considerations.
• Validate demand with wealth management firms and distribution partners.
• Own end-to-end product lifecycle from concept to launch with cross-functional teams.
• Develop business cases for senior executives and drive growth opportunities.
• Champion data-driven decision-making and responsible AI to speed insights.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Product strategy

Financial product structuring

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

AI-enabled capabilities

Education

Bachelor's degree

CFA credential

Actuarial credentials

Advanced degree (MBA/PhD) 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 & Impact:

Athene is building the next generation of its retirement solutions business, expanding how we serve distribution partners and deliver differentiated financial solutions to investors. As part of Athene and Apollo's strategic growth initiatives, the VP, Product Strategy & Development will lead the strategy, structuring, validation, and development of innovative financial products for RIA, wealth management, and self-directed investor markets.

This role combines deep financial product expertise with commercial judgment and an execution mindset. The successful candidate will bring strong knowledge of annuity and retirement products and work across insurance, capital markets, and asset management to develop sophisticated financial solutions, leveraging Athene and Apollo's investment capabilities while advancing new opportunities from concept through launch.

Key Deliverables:

• Product Strategy & Innovation: Lead product strategy for new wealth management channels, identifying unmet investor and advisor needs, evaluating market opportunities, and developing differentiated financial solutions.
• Financial Product Structuring: Design and evaluate sophisticated financial product structures, applying knowledge of annuities, capital markets, derivatives, investment products, and financial guarantees. Assess trade-offs across investor outcomes, risk, economics, and regulatory considerations.
• Market Validation & Commercialization: Engage directly with wealth management firms, investment platforms, and distribution partners to validate demand, co-develop solutions, and establish commercial viability.
• Product Development & Execution: Own the product lifecycle from concept through approval and launch, translating product designs into specifications and leading cross-functional execution with Athene's existing product manufacturing, investment, actuarial, risk, legal, and operations teams.
• Strategic Leadership: Develop business cases and product recommendations for senior executives, leveraging Athene and Apollo's broader capabilities to advance innovative solutions and long-term growth opportunities.
• Advance Innovation & Efficiency: Champion data-driven decision-making, emerging technologies, and responsible AI-enabled capabilities to accelerate market insights, evaluate product opportunities, and improve development processes.

What You Need to Brin

• 10+ years of relevant experience in financial services, including financial product strategy, structuring, development, commercialization, or relevant experience preferred.
• Deep understanding of annuity and retirement products, including product structures, economics, regulatory considerations, and wealth management distribution dynamics.
• Demonstrated success developing and launching complex financial products, with strong knowledge of capital markets, investment structures, derivatives, financial guarantees, and risk management.
• Strong commercial judgment and experience collaborating with wealth management firms, investment platforms, or other distribution partners to translate market needs into viable financial solutions.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead complex cross-functional initiatives through formal or informal leadership, combining critical thinking, creativity, adaptability, a bias for action, and an understanding of how AI can responsibly enhance analysis and execution.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience required; CFA, actuarial credentials, or an 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.