Head of Product

The Head of Product for Group Benefits is a transformative leadership role responsible for crafting and executing the product vision, strategy, and roadmap for the Group Benefits business. This individual will report to the Head of Group Benefits and champion customer-centric innovation, drive differentiated value, and foster a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring our Group Benefits offerings deliver meaningful financial security and well-being to our clients and their employees.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Vision: Establish a clear, bold product vision and strategy that aligns with Guardian’s purpose and long-term business priorities. Inspire cross-functional teams to pursue innovation, excellence, and growth.
• Customer-Focused Product Development: Lead the creation and enhancement of products that address diverse employer and member needs. Leverage VoC feedback, behavioral insights, and market analytics in shaping product direction.
• Portfolio Stewardship: Oversee the management and evolution of a comprehensive suite of Group Benefits products - dental, disability & leave, life, and supplemental health offerings -  balancing growth, risk, and operational efficiency.
• Market & Competitive Analysis: Track market trends, regulatory shifts, and competitive dynamics. Use data-driven insights to identify new opportunities and threats and direct product innovation accordingly.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong partnerships across Sales, Marketing, Underwriting, Operations, and Technology. Foster collaboration to ensure successful product launches, ongoing support, and delivery of integrated customer experiences.
• Financial Performance Management: Set robust product line goals for growth, profit, and market share. Monitor results and adjust strategies to achieve and surpass targets.
• Regulatory & Compliance Leadership: Ensure all offerings adhere to relevant laws, regulations, and Guardian’s internal standards, maintaining our reputation for trust and integrity.
• Talent & Culture Development: Attract, nurture, and mentor high-performing talent. Cultivate a culture that values inclusion, accountability, and innovation.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field required; advanced degree (MBA, etc.) preferred.
• Extensive Product Leadership: Minimum 10 years’ experience in product management, ideally within Group Benefits or insurance, with a proven track record in market management and distribution strategy in complex organizations.
• Strategic Thinking & Execution: Demonstrated ability to translate insights, data, and feedback into actionable product strategies that drive growth and innovation.
•  Industry & Regulatory Expertise: Deep knowledge of group benefits products, industry trends, and regulatory landscape, with strong operational and financial acumen.
• Partnership & Ecosystem Development: Skilled at building and managing strategic partnerships and digital ecosystems to expand product reach and value.
• Influential Leadership & Collaboration: Exceptional leadership, stakeholder engagement, and relationship-building skills; excels in cross-functional collaboration and transparent communication.
• Talent Development & Organizational Alignment: Committed to developing talent and fostering organizational alignment and a collaborative culture.
•  Values Fit: Experience with Guardian or a similar values-driven organization is advantageous.

Key Competencies

• Visionary Leadership
• Customer Empathy
• Innovative Problem-Solving
• Financial and Analytical Acumen
• Collaborative Influence
• Strategic Agility
• Ethical Judgment and Regulatory Awareness

Location and Travel:

• The primary location for this position is New York, NY (Hudson Yards), Boston, MA, Stamford, CT, or Bethlehem, PA with a requirement for 3 days in the office each week.
• Up to 30% travel to in-person meetings in Hudson Yards, NY, key regional offices and markets to support local distribution teams.

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. Explore our company benefits at www.guardianlife.com/careers/corporate/benefits. 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.

Accommodations

Guardian is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. Guardian also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants (and employees) to accommodate the individual's known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. 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 MyHR@glic.com. Please note: this resource is for accommodation requests only. For all other inquires related to your application and careers at Guardian, refer to the Guardian Careers site.

Visa Sponsorship

Guardian is not currently or in the foreseeable future sponsoring employment visas. In order to be a successful applicant. you must be legally authorized to work in the United States, without the need for employer sponsorship.

Current Guardian Colleagues: Please apply through the internal Jobs Hub in Workday