Head of Client Solutions

Guardian Life Insurance • New York, NY

1d

About The Position

The Head of Client Solutions, Wealth will be responsible for helping lead the wealth capability for Guardian during this exciting period of growth. This person will serve as a senior leader responsible for defining and advancing the firm’s holistic planning and investment strategy across its national distribution network. This individual will oversee the design and execution of integrated planning processes that align with Guardian’s mission to deliver protection, life, and annuity solutions to more than one million clients. They will serve as the representative for the Wealth business to the senior leaders within the firm, updating on business financials, products, and operations. This role will require a strategic operator who can lead through influence, align cross-functional partners, and continuously enhance the client and advisor experience. In addition to which, this person may be the ‘face’ of Guardian’s wealth business in the media although we are not seeking for this person to operate as a ‘talking head’ type but rather a content rich, advisory oriented individual who can help project Guardian’s differentiated view in the public domain. The Head of Client Solutions, Wealth will ensure that every advisor across Guardian’s 3,500-person field organization is equipped with the tools, analytics, and guidance needed to build comprehensive client plans that deepen relationships, improve outcomes, and drive sustainable growth. To this end, this person will specifically be responsible for creating the vision, intellectual capital, and thought leadership for financial and advanced planning, refine the portfolio strategy capability, create a strong, tailored advisory capability for client segments and sub-segments. This leader will translate Guardian’s long-term vision into a cohesive framework that supports both emerging family and business-owner markets. They will build scalable processes to capture planning data, measure effectiveness, and elevate advisor performance, balancing digital innovation with the human-centered advice that defines Guardian’s legacy. The Head of Client Solutions, Wealth will oversee a team of portfolio strategists, advanced planners, operations, and due diligence / research professionals. They will create and be responsible for a resource hub that encompasses content and broader trainings to better equip all advisors in the organization.

Requirements

• Proven success leading planning or advice strategy within an insurance, investment, or wealth management organization.
• Experience advising or supporting ultra-high and high net worth clients while developing scalable models for broad-market planning delivery.
• Understanding of life insurance, annuities, and protection products, and their integration into holistic financial plans.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex financial concepts into actionable frameworks for advisors and clients across segments.
• Strategic thinker with a data-driven approach to improving advice quality, advisor engagement, and client outcomes.
• Commercial experience and executive presence to represent Guardian externally through thought leadership – participating in media engagements, podcasts, or written content that advances the firm’s brand and planning philosophy.
• High intellect and gravitas are imperative to the success of this leader.
• Skilled at influencing across functions – collaborating with distribution, product, operations, and technology leaders.
• Depth in technology used to support planning and scale the business.
• Exceptional communicator who inspires confidence among advisors and senior executives alike.
• Passion for Guardian’s mutual mission – helping all clients, from emerging families to ultra-high and high net worth households, protect what matters most and achieve long-term financial security.
• It is important this person understands how planning and investments work together for a more integrated client solutions approach.
• The ability to create and articulate an inspiring vision for the organization, not only for the areas you are directly responsible for, but the enterprise as a whole.
• The inclination to work with centralized data and analytics and leveraging the rest of the team to continue building this function.
• An entrepreneurial and creative approach to developing new, innovative ideas that will stretch the organization and push the boundaries within the industry.
• The ability to effectively balance the desire/need for broad change with an understanding of how much change the organization is capable of handling; to create realistic goals and implementation plans that are achievable and successful.
• The ability to set clear and challenging goals while committing the organization to improved performance; tenacious and accountable in driving results.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty; the ability to adapt nimbly and lead others through complex situations.
• A risk-taker who seeks data and input from others to foresee possible threats or unintended circumstances from decisions; someone who takes smart risks.
• A leader who is viewed by others as having a high degree of integrity and forethought in their approach to making decisions; the ability to act in a transparent and consistent manner while always considering what is best for the organization.
• The ability to attract and recruit top talent, motivate the team, delegate effectively, celebrate diversity within the team, and manage performance; widely viewed as a strong developer of others.
• The ability to persevere in the face of challenges and exhibit a steadfast resolve and relentless commitment to higher standards, which commands respect from followers.
• A leader who is self-reflective and aware of their own limitations; leads by example and drives the organization's performance with an attitude of continuous improvement by being open to feedback and self-improvement.
• Naturally connects and builds strong relationships with others, demonstrating strong emotional intelligence and an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively.
• An ability to inspire trust and followership in others through compelling influence, powerful charisma, passion in their beliefs, and active drive.
• Encourages others to share the spotlight and visibly celebrates and supports the success of the team.
• Creates a sense of purpose/meaning for the team that generates followership beyond their own personality and engages others to the greater purpose for the organization as a whole.

Nice To Haves

• CFP is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of Guardian’s enterprise financial planning strategy across all channels and client segments.
• Create a unified planning framework that integrates insurance, annuities, and investment solutions to meet client needs holistically.
• Drive adoption of technology platforms and digital tools that enhance plan quality, visibility, and client engagement.
• Partner with regional and field leaders to deliver planning and portfolio strategy best practices, training, and coaching for advisors at scale.
• Define performance metrics and reporting processes to measure plan utilization, client outcomes, and revenue impact.
• Collaborate with product, operations, and marketing teams to align planning solutions with Guardian’s broader business objectives.
• Foster a planning-first culture that prioritizes needs-based advice and long-term relationship building.
• Represent the planning function as a strategic voice in Guardian’s leadership forums, ensuring planning insights inform distribution and product decisions.

Benefits

• At Guardian, you’ll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals.
• Through skill-building, leadership development and philanthropic opportunities, we provide opportunities to build communities and grow your career, surrounded by diverse colleagues with high ethical standards.
• As part of Guardian’s Purpose – to inspire well-being – we are committed to offering contemporary, supportive, flexible, and inclusive benefits and resources to our colleagues.
• Explore our company benefits at www.guardianlife.com/careers/corporate/benefits.
• Benefits apply to full-time eligible employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: No Education Listed