Strategy Associate, Strategic Planning & Corporate Development

In the Strategy Associate, Strategic Planning & Corporate Development role, you will be a part of highly visible Strategy and Corporate Development team where you will work as part of a project team to solve complex problems, develop the long-range plans for Guardian, and partner with senior leaders to identify, develop, evaluate, prioritize and deliver strategic initiatives across the organization. The group is responsible for overall strategy development and planning, executing cross-enterprise strategic initiatives, M&A/corporate development, corporate venture and driving business performance and management processes.

You will have the opportunity to work on a range of high-visibility corporate projects and/or specific work streams spanning across:

• Strategy development and planning: Support the development of setting a strategic vision, direction and near-term priorities for Guardian supported by competitor/industry research and operational and financial analysis.
• Execution of cross-cutting strategic initiatives: Support cross-cutting strategic initiatives that are critical to the success of Guardian’s overall strategy. Support in managing the business performance of executed initiatives e.g., implement and management processes to monitor business performance, develop and monitor metrics and goals for business areas aligned with strategic plan, and support decision framework to allocate and re-prioritize resources as required to achieve vision & strategy.
• New initiative exploration: In collaboration with business areas, assess and develop business cases, market sizing, external research, etc. for new ideas driving innovation, partnerships, and other areas of investment outside of BAU and incubate initial development and execution of innovation initiatives.
• Business performance and management processes and executive planning sessions: (i) Monitor cascading metrics and goals for business areas aligned with strategic plan; (iii) Support the development and delivery of Board of Directors content for specific strategic topics and executive-level offsites and working sessions.

In order to successfully deliver the projects and/or workstreams, you will be responsible for:

• Performing competitor/industry research leveraging both public and non-public sources.
• Identifying implications of data and analysis.
• Developing concise communication materials for senior management.
• Structuring and building quantitative and conceptual analyses of operational and financial data.
• Utilizing strategic frameworks to structure problem solving and identify issues.
• Working collaboratively and building trust with team members across Guardian.

You are

• Proactive, resourceful, impact oriented, and an excellent end-to-end generalist problem solver who is able to identify issues and analyze.
• An effective communicator (both oral and written) and work well in cross-functional teams.
• A self-starter who is able to work independently and prioritize across multiple tasks.
• Organized with strong attention to detail and able to coordinate and lead complex workstreams.
• Able to navigate relationships up and down the organization using strong interpersonal skills, maturity, and judgement.

You have

• Bachelor’s Degree from a top institution with strong academic performance and demonstrated leadership ability.
• 3+ years’ experience working in strategy consulting, business management or operational experience within a financial services or management consulting firm.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and strong Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Ability to influence while building trust and consensus among multiple stakeholders/cross functional teams with competing interests.
• Prior experience working with financial services companies a plus but not required.
• Experience managing complex projects and/or timelines.

You will

• Be mentored and coached by experienced leaders on strategy, transactions, problem solving, analytical, communications and leadership skills.
• Develop expertise in a variety of functions and businesses.
• Gain exposure to other roles and lines of business in the company.
• Be exposed to and influence the agendas of Guardian senior executives.

Location

This is a flexible position requiring 3 days per week in the Hudson Yards, NY office with infrequent travel to other locations, as needed to meet business needs.

Salary Range

$111,840.00 - $183,735.00

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.

Health Care

• Dental plan
• Health care accounts – flexible spending, health reimbursement, and health savings accounts
• Vision plan
• Critical illness insurance
• Choice of [high deductible/copay] medical plans* with prescription drugs, including coverage for fertility and transgender inclusive benefits

Life and Disability Insurance

• Accident insurance
• Company-paid Life and Disability insurance plus voluntary supplemental coverage

Retirement and Financial

• Complimentary 1:1 financial guidance with a licensed Fidelity representative
• 401(k) retirement plan with a company match, plus an annual age/service-based Company contribution and an annual profit-sharing contribution, if applicable

Time Off and Remote Work

• Paid parental leave and paid family and medical leave policies
• Unlimited paid time off for most roles plus time off for volunteering, jury duty, voting, and bereavement
• Personal holidays for colleagues to use in recognition of religious, cultural, or civic days
• Flexible work arrangements (part in-person/part remote)

Emotional Well-being and Work-Life

• Commuter benefits in select metropolitan areas
• Wellness programs, including fitness program and equipment reimbursement
• Student loan assistance
• Emotional well-being, mental health, and work/life resources powered by Spring Health
• Tuition reimbursement
• Child, adult, and elder back-up care support through Bright Horizons
• Adoption assistance
• College planning

Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (J.E.D.I.)

• Matching gifts/volunteering
• Employee Resource Groups that advocate for inclusion and diversity
• J.E.D.I. certification and training programs

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.

Guardian is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. 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 [email protected].