Lead Associate, Strategy

Summary

Join Protective Life as a Lead Associate, Strategy and contribute to the development and implementation of strategic initiatives within the Employee Benefits Division (EBD). This role involves collaborating with the Executive Leadership Team, managing cross-functional projects, and ensuring alignment with corporate goals. The position offers a hybrid work model (virtual or office-based) and a competitive salary. Responsibilities include strategic planning, communication, and stakeholder management. Candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree, 7+ years of experience, and strong presentation and communication skills. Protective offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and more.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 7+ years of experience
• Exceptional knowledge of MS Office, specifically strong proficiency in MS PowerPoint
• Strong presentation design skills with ability to clearly convey information including data visualization
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to build relationships and trust; ability to influence across the organization including Executive Leadership
• Demonstrated history of exercising sound judgement when making decisions by carefully analyzing and understanding complex business situations
• Experience with strategic implementation and use of change management techniques
• Willingness to learn and embrace new technologies
• Proactive self-starter and problem solver
• Detail oriented with exemplary planning and time management skills, sense of urgency, and comfort level with holding others accountable
• Highly organized with the ability to lead cross-functional teams
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality on all sensitive subjects such as board presentations, company earnings, strategy, and personnel files
• Ability to travel to New York or Alabama one to two times per quarter

Responsibilities

• Establish and facilitate the development and coordination of Divisional strategy and planning work in partnership with the Executive Leadership Team
• Serve as a representative member of the Executive Leadership Team, partnering to define scope, approach, accountabilities, operating rhythms, and execution plans for all key divisional initiatives
• Understand the Corporate and Divisional annual planning cycles, initiate deliverables as needed, develop various content, and help ensure deliverables remain on track
• Facilitate key planning/alignment/progress sessions to establish Divisional goals, priorities, and initiatives linked to corporate goals
• Drive annual process and prioritization, delivering Divisional operating plans for the next year, linked to budget and Divisional performance
• Manage cross-functional and cross-organizational interdependencies and take a leadership role in the change management process. Build and maintain an enterprise-wide view of the needs and demands required to satisfy the Divisional goals and objectives
• Provide counsel to senior management on the opportunities and challenges in satisfying goals and objectives. Distill, synthesize, and clearly communicate complex details to facilitate timely and effective decision-making
• Plan and efficiently facilitate delivery of regular Divisional communication and events including newsletters, townhalls, planning sessions and more
• Create and maintain a Divisional calendar. Prioritize urgent matters by providing reminders for upcoming deadlines, deliverables, and events. Facilitate operating rhythms and management routines across the Division
• Create and update complex and detailed PowerPoint presentations and Excel spreadsheets in support of Quarterly Business Review, Board of Directors, Rating Agency, all-division communications, Corporate Officers Meeting, Senior Leader Meeting, National Sales Conference, and other key events
• Act as a liaison with the EBD Project Management office, Corporate Project Management office, IT, HR, and other key stakeholders across Protective Life to ensure teams are aware of divisional priorities
• Act as a representative and ambassador, including contact with both internal and external associates, virtually and in person
• Provide management oversight for the Executive Administrator and Office Coordinator for the Employee Benefits Division

Benefits

• Health, dental and vision insurance
• Mental health benefits and an employee assistance program
• Paid time off, paid parental leave, short-term disability, and a cultural observance day
• Contributions to healthcare accounts, a pension plan, and a 401(k) plan with Company matching
• ProHealth Rewards, Protective’s platform to improve wellbeing while earning cash rewards
• Annual incentive based on individual and Company performance