Head of Strategic Programs and Deployment

The Opportunity

In this highly visible role as Head of Strategic Programs and Deployment, you will be responsible for creating a culture of transparency between the MassMutual Home Office and our Affiliated Distribution organization. You will elevate the importance of change management, design a consistent and collaborative readiness/deployment process that interacts throughout the MassMutual enterprise and partner with MMFA Field Stakeholders including the General Agents and Advisors Associations (AAX and GAX) to drive positive, productive alignment on all key initiatives.

The Team

As part of Brand, Product and Affiliated Distribution, the Distribution Platforms and Readiness team is responsible for driving strategy and execution related to technology, governance, reporting, readiness and change management to support MassMutual’s product, marketing and career distribution organizations. 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:

You will lead teams charged with managing change, including collaborating with senior leaders to identify and prioritize initiatives based on business needs and priorities. Your team will build relationships and work closely with internal and field stakeholders to identify and close gaps with programs and maximize adoption with MMFA Advisors.

Additionally,  you will lead teams responsible for the planning, execution, and delivery of large-scale programs, including developing strategies, creating new tools/processes/solutions, setting goals, creating plans, assigning resources, tracking progress, and resolving issues. In addition to managing major programs, you and your team will ensure these programs anticipate and support the implementation of these programmatic changes for MMFA General Agents and Advisors.

Your team will anticipate and assess impacts of change to MMFA, including conducting impact analyses, assess change readiness, and identify key stakeholders. Partnering with General Agents and advisors to manage the change will be critical to success.  

This role requires broad partnership throughout the MassMutual Enterprise; you will be regularly collaborating with senior leaders to identify and prioritize initiatives based on business needs and competing interests and responsible for the creation and delivery of presentations to senior-level home office and MMFA leadership. At all times, this role requires consistently acting in accordance with best practices and committing to exceeding our internal and external customers’ expectations in support of MassMutual’s strategic vision.

The Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree 

• 15+ years of experience managing large-scale programs and effective change management.

• 7+ years managing people/teams

• Executive presence with ability to quickly build rapport and cultivate relationships; high-level of emotional intelligence

• Excellent communication and presentation skills; track record of developing and delivering high- impact presentations; effective public speaking

• Astute business judgment, analytic, creative, and problem-solving skill, with experience applying these skills to acquire and develop strategic partnerships

• Strategically minded, analytical change agent and decision maker with a clear vision and the ability to implement improvement measures impacting a variety of internal and external stakeholders.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving skills and data-driven mindset that translates into leadership skills

Ideal qualifications include:

• Experience in financial services, particularly with insurance distribution channels and/or operational/service capabilities

• Familiarity with MassMutual affiliated and third-party distribution systems

• Strong financial acumen, including distribution compensation, expense management

Additional critical competencies include:

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills

• Strong interpersonal skills

• Attention to detail

• Ability to act courageously and with confidence

• Interact with all levels of leadership

• Demonstrating agility; effectively manage in a changing environment

• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving and decision making skills

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

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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.

If you need an accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us and share the specifics of the assistance you need.