Lead Associate, Strategy - Employee Benefits

About the position The work we do has an impact on millions of lives, and you can be a part of it. We help protect our customers against life’s uncertainties. Regardless of where you work within the company, you’ll be helping provide protection and peace of mind when our customers need it most. Protective is seeking well qualified candidates for a Lead Associate, Strategy position to support our Employee Benefits Division (EBD) leadership team. This position could be virtual or based in one of our offices in Birmingham, AL, Long Island, NY, Covington, KY, or St Louis, MO. The primary focus of the Lead Associate, Strategy is to support the development of EBD strategy through long-term planning, prioritization of key initiatives and business case development. This role will operate across the Executive Leadership Team to identify key strategic priorities and translate them into tangible results. Additionally, the Lead Associate, Strategy will act as an Employee Benefits Division leadership representative and advocate, interfacing with key stakeholders across the organization to ensure the successful implementation of Divisional strategy. Responsibilities • Establishes and facilitates the development and coordination of Divisional strategy and planning work and in partnership with the Executive Leadership Team. , • Will be a representative member of the Executive Leadership Team partnering to define scope, approach, accountabilities, operating rhythms, and execution plans for all key divisional initiatives. , • Understanding the Corporate and Divisional annual planning cycles, initiating deliverables as needed, developing various content, and helping to ensure deliverables remain on track. , • Facilitates key planning/alignment/progress sessions to establish Divisional goals, priorities, and initiatives linked to corporate goals. , • Drives annual process and prioritization delivering Divisional operating plans for the next year, linked to budget and Divisional performance. , • Manages cross-functional and cross-organizational interdependencies and takes a leadership role in the change management process. , • Provides counsel to senior management on the opportunities and challenges in satisfying goals and objectives. , • Plans and efficiently facilitates delivery of regular Divisional communication and events including newsletters, townhalls, planning sessions and more. , • Creates and maintains a Divisional calendar. Prioritizes urgent matters by providing reminders for upcoming deadlines, deliverables, and events. , • Acts 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. , • Management oversight for the Executive Administrator and Office Coordinator for the Employee Benefits Division. 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. Nice-to-haves 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 Apply Job!