Head of BP&AD Business Strategy | Boston, MA, USA at MassMutual

Head of BP&AD Business Strategy

The Head of our Business Strategy organization is responsible for the development & delivery of our Brand, Marketing, Product, Institutional and Affiliated distribution strategy aligned with MassMutual’s broader enterprise strategy.

The focus of this role is to lead the development and execution of our business unit strategy maximizing our results so we can contribute to MassMutual’s long-term performance. As such, the role owns and sponsors MassMutual’s transformational distribution strategy across our large, affiliated sales force and is charged with continued refinement and execution of the strategy while charting the course for the next stage in our evolution. The role requires effective collaboration and partnership throughout Brand, Product and Affiliated Distribution, Field Partners, Finance, Enterprise Technology, Legal/Compliance, and other key business partners.

The Team

As pace of change continues to accelerate externally and internally, BP&AD has greater needs to monitor and understand the external environment, make deeper use of data/analytics, and generate swift insights to inform strategic BP&AD decision-making. The Distribution Platforms and Readiness team is responsible for developing, driving, and executing strategy related to technology, governance, reporting, readiness and change management to support MassMutual’s product, institutional, marketing and career distribution, and wealth management organizations.

The BP&AD Strategy team is focused on the following themes:

• Identify opportunities and lead initiatives/projects that inform SLT and ELT business strategic decision-making
• Provide thought leadership and deliver insights that develop our affiliated distribution strategy to align it with industry, market, and consumer preferences
• Set the agenda for BP&AD to leverage and influence Data Science/Analytics, Finance, Technology and other corporate stakeholders to strengthen the overall business strategy
• Ensure that BP&AD narratives are clearly communicated, with specific deliverables and metrics to monitor progress and impact
• Consult on various BP&AD business strategy development opportunities

Within our organization, we place a premium on our creating a diverse and inclusive team, aligning priorities with key markets and distribution channels, while nurturing partnerships with key stakeholders based in transparency and accountability.

The Impact:

• Identify and drive substantive strategic problem-solving efforts – thought leadership (e.g., defining key questions and problem-solving hypothesis), stakeholder engagement (e.g., leading stakeholder interactions and providing constructive challenge), and team leadership (e.g., leading the research/analysis with Strategy/analytics Consultants)
• Generate impact as a trusted advisor by maintaining the ability to see the big picture in inherently complex and dynamic situations, and demonstrating a strong nose for value in both prioritizing and solving problems
• Role model behaviors (e.g., high energy, self-driven, strong interpersonal skills, intellectual curiosity, highest level of professionalism, inclusive behaviors, orientation towards client and team instead of self)
• Positively contribute to BP&AD’s “course and speed” towards ambitious long-term goals, and help drive the success of MassMutual
• Align with Corporate Strategy in the creation and execution of enterprise and BP&AD priorities including supporting Executive and Board-related presentations.

The Minimum Qualifications

• 10+ years of total work experience, including 7+ years of strategy consulting experience (must be highly rated), inclusive of experience leading multiple project teams simultaneously, with deep knowledge of the end-to-end strategy project lifecycle (i.e., scoping to reviews/feedback) and 3+ years in the financial services industry leading teams of expanding complexity and scope.

• Strategy consulting experience should be from a top-tier management / strategy consulting firm or a similar role with a leading internal strategy function.

• Bachelor’s degree from leading college or university.

• Track record of developing Strategy Leads and Strategy/analytics Consultants through coaching and mentoring.

• Ability to quickly break down problems in a structured manner, and prioritize analysis.

• Ability to analyze complex data and draw out insights and implications.

• Ability to create simple, powerful, and data-driven communications for senior leaders.

Ideal qualifications include:

• Familiarity with life insurance and wealth management sectors. Knowledge of MassMutual’s affiliated and third-party distribution systems would be a plus.
• Strong knowledge of peer financial services distributors, financial acumen, including distribution economics, expense management.
• Ability to effectively communicate with senior leaders and build enduring, trust-based and high-impact relationships with clients and other colleagues.
• Master’s degree.

Additional critical competencies include:

• Proven leadership skills with the ability to influence internal/external stakeholders and effectively lead organizational change.
• A strategic yet execution-oriented, proactive, creative, and innovative thinker.
• Experience and understanding of Retail Financial Services, Wealth Management landscape, Insurance/Annuity/Investment products, technology, and channels of distribution.
• Demonstrated success of driving revenue, maximizing earnings while appropriately managing risk.
• Ability to work well cross-functionally to build alignment and reach common goals.
• Strong interpersonal capabilities: ability to develop strong trust-based relationships and lead effectively; ability to build and motivate high-functioning teams.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

What to Expect as Part of MassMutual and the Team

• Regular meetings with the Distribution Platforms and Readiness team.
• Focused one-on-one meetings with your manager.
• Access to mentorship opportunities.
• Networking opportunities including access to Asian, Hispanic/Latinx, African American, women, LGBTQ, veteran and disability-focused Business Resource Groups.
• Access to learning content on Degreed and other informational platforms.
• Your ethics and integrity will be valued by a company with a strong and stable ethical business with industry leading pay and benefits.

MassMutual is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer Minority/Female/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Individual with Disability/Protected Veteran. We welcome all persons to apply. Note: Veterans are welcome to apply, regardless of their discharge status.