Senior Strategic Project Manager

Why Join Guardian Life?

At Guardian Life, we inspire well-being by empowering our employees to thrive both professionally and personally. As a leading mutual insurance company with a rich history spanning over 160 years, Guardian Life offers unparalleled stability, growth opportunities, and a culture rooted in ethical standards and diversity. Join our Park Avenue Securities platform, a premier broker-dealer in wealth management, where you'll contribute to strategic initiatives that enhance client services and drive business success. Enjoy flexible work arrangements across our key locations, comprehensive skill-building programs, leadership development, and philanthropic initiatives. Be part of a collaborative team in New York, United States, that values innovation, work-life balance, and community impact. Discover why top talent chooses Guardian Life for rewarding careers in financial services.

Role Description

The Senior Strategic Project Manager plays a pivotal role in leading business-as-usual (BAU) projects across the Park Avenue Securities platform at Guardian Life. This position partners closely with functional leaders in customer service, relationship management, operations, due diligence & research, supervision, business risk, and business development to transform strategies into actionable initiatives. Overseeing the full project lifecycle—from concept and planning to execution, launch, and post-implementation KPI tracking—you'll ensure day-to-day enhancements and process improvements align with the firm's strategic objectives. Unlike enterprise-wide transformations managed by the Business Transformation Office, this role emphasizes continuous improvement within existing business processes and systems, delivering projects on time, on budget, and in compliance with regulations. Thrive in a fast-paced, client-centric environment at Guardian Life in New York, driving measurable outcomes in wealth management and broker-dealer operations.

Detailed Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end planning and execution of BAU projects, defining clear objectives, requirements, and success criteria in collaboration with business partners.
• Develop comprehensive project plans including timelines, milestones, budgets, and resource allocation; rigorously monitor progress, risks, dependencies, and issues to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery.
• Ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements such as FINRA and SEC standards, alongside internal governance, quality controls, and risk management protocols.
• Facilitate seamless collaboration across internal teams and external vendors to align project initiatives with overarching business objectives and elevate client service delivery.
• Deliver executive-ready status reports, dashboards, and presentations summarizing project progress, key performance indicators (KPIs), risks, and critical decisions.
• Track post-launch performance metrics, capture lessons learned, and drive continuous improvement strategies to optimize future initiatives.
• Lead change management efforts, including developing adoption plans, training programs, communication strategies, and stakeholder engagement to ensure smooth implementation and user buy-in.
• Proactively identify opportunities for process enhancements in broker-dealer operations, investment products, and trading platforms to support strategic growth.

Required Skills

Guardian Life seeks a proactive, detail-oriented leader with exceptional project management expertise. Key skills include:

• Advanced project planning and execution using methodologies like PMP, Agile, or Lean.
• Risk management and compliance knowledge in FINRA/SEC regulations.
• Stakeholder communication and cross-functional team leadership.
• Analytical problem-solving with KPI tracking and dashboard creation.
• Change management and training program development.
• Budget management and resource optimization.
• Adaptability in fast-paced, client-centric financial services environments.
• Technical acumen in wealth management systems and broker-dealer operations.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, information systems, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• PMP, CAPM, Agile, or Lean certification required; additional certifications a plus.
• 7+ years of project management experience in wealth management, broker-dealer, or financial services, with proven success in complex BAU initiatives.
• Deep knowledge of broker-dealer operations, investment products, trading platforms, and regulatory landscapes (FINRA, SEC).
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, influence executives, and deliver results in dynamic markets.

Compensation Overview

The base salary range for this Senior Strategic Project Manager position at Guardian Life in New York, United States, is $103,450.00 - $169,960.00 annually. Actual pay is determined based on education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. This role may also qualify for annual incentives, sales bonuses, or other performance-based compensation, enhancing total rewards.

Benefits

Guardian Life prioritizes your well-being with industry-leading benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance with flexible options.
• 401(k) retirement savings with generous company match.
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick days, and holidays.
• Professional development, tuition reimbursement, and leadership training.
• Flexible work arrangements and hybrid options in New York locations.
• Wellness programs, employee assistance, and mental health support.
• Philanthropic matching and community volunteer opportunities.
• Parental leave and family-friendly policies.

Reporting & Location

Report to the Head of Advisor Strategic Initiatives. Primary locations: New York (Hudson Yards), Bethlehem PA, Holmdel NJ. This is a full-time role offering the flexibility to excel in a supportive environment.