Head of Strategy, Planning

4 weeks ago


Hartford, United States MassMutual Full time

Strategic Planning & Delivery (SP&D) was established in 2019 as a Transformation office to accelerate progress towards MassMutual’s aspirations. These aspirations are rooted in the purpose we’ve long held and, in the vision, that we all share: To provide financial well-being for all Americans. 

SP&D’s current mission is to govern the budget, approval and benefit realization of strategic projects, aligned with MassMutual’s key strategic priorities. SP&D’s framework is designed to drive alignment and govern resolution of funding and resource constraints to facilitate effective execution. We remove barriers to allow for collaborative execution and generate value by fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and ruthless prioritization to deliver on strategic projects.

The Head of SP&D is responsible for the end-to-end management and continued evolution of this critical function.

The Team

SP&D is one part of MassMutual’s Program Governance & Delivery (PG&D) organization. The other part is the Corporate Functions Program Management Office (CFPMO) responsible for overseeing the execution of projects across our 5 Corporate Functions and defining and owning project management standards across the company. Given the interdependencies between how we prioritize, execute and resource our projects, the partnership between SP&D and the CFPMO allows us to view and manage project execution holistically, bringing greater consistency and alignment across the company’s program governance and delivery.

The Head of SP&D and the Head of the CFPMO report to the Chief Risk Officer, who also leads a separate Enterprise Risk Management organization and is a member of the Executive Leadership Team. The SP&D team itself consists of workstream leads, operations and finance professionals.

The Impact

A successful Head of SP&D must be able to inclusively motivate employees to action at all levels in the organization; think strategically across the business; advise, engage with and influence senior business leaders and line employees; drive change across the organization; identify opportunities to add value to the business; demonstrate strong financial acumen and analytical skills; and successfully drive others to fully execute projects to completion and regularly report on progress and performance at all levels of the organization. 

Key Responsibilities

  • Strategy – Own, oversee and evolve the SP&D framework for MassMutual. Ensure clarity of roles and responsibilities. Share the progress of this transformation effort with the broader organization.
  • Alignment – Ensure the portfolio of projects are aligned with the corporate strategy and furthering the financial and market goals of the organization.
  • Value Creation - Work across a matrixed organization to bridge ideas, resolve conflicts and pursue opportunities to increase profitability for the business. Aid in the assessment of the strategic value of projects and link them to business outcomes and company’s aspirations.    Ensure projects achieve their long-term value expectations and partner with project sponsors to implement corrective action when needed post-implementation.
  • Resource contention – Ensure processes are in place and are effective in identifying and managing resource contentions (budget and headcount/SMEs) within and between projects.
  • Risk Management – Identify risk of execution and proactively work with stakeholders to mitigate risk and avoid value slippage. 
  • Governance - Evolve and ensure adoption of SP&D practices to maintain best-in-class governance controls and financial and data integrity of the overall SP&D effort. 
  • Operations - Manage review of projects through stage gates. Provide analytics and reporting on financial health, project performance and key risks to value and execution to Steering Committee and executive leaders. Ensure benefits driven by the SP&D projects are realized in the company’s general ledger.
  • Coaching - Provide senior leaders and workstream leads with coaching, insights and challenge on the tactics and pathways they need to adopt to meet their ambitious targets. Apply business and value focus, with a bias for action.
  • Collaboration - Collaborate with team and stakeholders to ensure overall SP&D goals are met. Partner with corporate finance, business finance and pricing and actuarial functions to help develop efficient and effective financial management practices. 
  • Leading Others – Lead both direct and indirect reports, focused on talent development, building a diverse and inclusive team and environment, and role modeling an agile mindset through change and ambiguity. Inspire others and drive culture of continuous improvement.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • 10+ years’ experience in financial management, strategic planning or portfolio management within a matrixed organization
  • Experience with holistic planning and prioritization cycles within a complex portfolio of high impact, cross-functional projects
  • Strong financial and analytical acumen; experience in benefit realization and tracking; understand drivers of profitability within businesses
  • Proven ability to guide decision-making, including where compromises may be necessary; tested ability to provide direct feedback Strong written and verbal communication (presentation) skills; can synthesize and explain complex topics and analyses to stakeholders and coach in a simplified manner

Ideal Qualifications:

  • Advanced degree or designation preferred: MBA, MSF, CPA or FSA or equivalent preferred
  • Familiarity with project management methodologies and financial governance and control processes

#LI-MC1

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.

  • Hartford, United States MassMutual Full time

    Strategic Planning & Delivery (SP&D) was established in 2019 as a Transformation office to accelerate progress towards MassMutual’s aspirations. These aspirations are rooted in the purpose we’ve long held and, in the vision, that we all share: To provide financial well-being for all Americans. SP&D’s current mission is to govern the budget, approval...


  • Hartford, United States MassMutual Full time

    Strategic Planning & Delivery (SP&D) was established in 2019 as a Transformation office to accelerate progress towards MassMutual’s aspirations. These aspirations are rooted in the purpose we’ve long held and, in the vision, that we all share: To provide financial well-being for all Americans. SP&D’s current mission is to govern the budget,...


  • Hartford, United States MassMutual Full time

    Strategic Planning & Delivery (SP&D) was established in 2019 as a Transformation office to accelerate progress towards MassMutual’s aspirations. These aspirations are rooted in the purpose we’ve long held and, in the vision, that we all share: To provide financial well-being for all Americans. SP&D’s current mission is to govern the budget,...


  • Hartford, CT, United States MassMutual Full time

    Strategic Planning & Delivery (SP&D) was established in 2019 as a Transformation office to accelerate progress towards MassMutual’s aspirations. These aspirations are rooted in the purpose we’ve long held and, in the vision, that we all share: To provide financial well-being for all Americans. SP&D’s current mission is to govern the budget,...


  • Hartford, CT, United States MassMutual Full time

    Strategic Planning & Delivery (SP&D) was established in 2019 as a Transformation office to accelerate progress towards MassMutual’s aspirations. These aspirations are rooted in the purpose we’ve long held and, in the vision, that we all share: To provide financial well-being for all Americans. SP&D’s current mission is to govern the budget,...


  • Hartford, Connecticut, United States MassMutual Full time

    Job Title: Head of Strategy DeliveryMassMutual is seeking a seasoned professional to lead the Strategic Planning and Delivery (SP&D) team, responsible for accelerating progress towards the company's aspirations. As the Head of SP&D, you will oversee the end-to-end management and continued evolution of this critical function.Key Responsibilities:Develop and...


  • Hartford, CT, United States MassMutual Full time

    The Head of our Business Strategy organization is responsible for the development & delivery of our Brand, Marketing, Product, Institutional and Affiliated distribution strategy aligned with MassMutual’s broader enterprise strategy. The focus of this role is to lead the development and execution of our business unit strategy maximizing our results so we...

  • Head Nurse

    3 weeks ago


    Hartford, Connecticut, United States State of Connecticut Full time

    Job Title: Head NurseJob Summary:The State of Connecticut is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Head Nurse to lead our nursing team in a correctional facility. As a Head Nurse, you will be responsible for supervising and administering nursing care to inmates, as well as coordinating with other healthcare professionals to ensure the highest quality of...


  • Hartford, Connecticut, United States MassMutual Full time

    The OpportunityMassMutual's Investment Management team is seeking a highly motivated and experienced leader to lead strategic initiative planning and execution. This individual will be the primary liaison between our business and the Corporate Functions PMO, driving efficient and effective design and architecture across the IM portfolio of strategic...


  • Hartford, Connecticut, United States MassMutual Full time

    The OpportunityMassMutual's Investment Management (IM) team is seeking a highly motivated and experienced leader to drive strategic initiative planning and execution. This individual will serve as the primary liaison between IM and the Corporate Functions PMO, leading the development of a communications strategy and change management approach. The successful...


  • Hartford, Connecticut, United States MassMutual Full time

    The OpportunityMassMutual is seeking a highly motivated and experienced leader to lead Investment Management's strategic initiative planning and execution. This individual will be the primary liaison between our business and the newly formed Corporate Functions PMO. Additionally, they will also lead creating a communications strategy and change management...


  • Hartford, United States MassMutual Full time

    The Opportunity Investment Management (IM) is looking for a highly motivated and experienced leader to lead Investment Management’s strategic initiative planning and execution. This individual will be the primary liaison between our business and the newly formed Corporate Functions PMO. Additionally, they will also lead creating a communications strategy...


  • Hartford, United States MassMutual Full time

    The Opportunity Investment Management (IM) is looking for a highly motivated and experienced leader to lead Investment Management’s strategic initiative planning and execution. This individual will be the primary liaison between our business and the newly formed Corporate Functions PMO. Additionally, they will also lead creating a communications strategy...


  • Hartford, CT, United States MassMutual Full time

    The Opportunity The Head of our Business Strategy organization is responsible for the development & delivery of our Brand, Marketing, Product, Institutional and Affiliated distribution strategy aligned with MassMutual’s broader enterprise strategy. The focus of this role is to lead the development and execution of our business unit strategy maximizing...


  • Hartford, Connecticut, United States MassMutual Full time

    Job SummaryWe are seeking a highly motivated and experienced leader to lead Investment Management's strategic initiative planning and execution. This individual will be the primary liaison between our business and the newly formed Corporate Functions PMO.Key ResponsibilitiesLead strategic initiative planning, prioritization, and coordination across IM and...


  • Hartford, Connecticut, United States MassMutual Full time

    The OpportunityMassMutual is seeking a seasoned professional to lead the Investment Data Strategy team, driving forward the data strategy for Investment Management. This role will partner with teams across the organization to define, communicate, and drive the data strategy, ensuring it meets the broad requirements of the end-to-end investment management...


  • Hartford, United States MassMutual Full time

    The Opportunity Investment Management (IM) is looking for an energetic, intellectually curious individual with strong analytical skills to lead the Investment Data Strategy team. This role will be accountable for defining, communicating, and driving forward the data strategy for IM, partnering with teams across Investment Management, Enterprise Risk...


  • Hartford, Connecticut, United States MassMutual Full time

    Job OpportunityAbout the RoleMassMutual is seeking a seasoned professional to lead the Investment Data Strategy team, driving forward the data strategy for Investment Management. This role will partner with teams across the organization to define, communicate, and implement the data strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives.Key...


  • HARTFORD, United States MassMutual Full time

    The OpportunityInvestment Management (IM) is looking for an energetic, intellectually curious individual with strong analytical skills to lead the Investment Data Strategy team.  This role will be accountable for defining, communicating, and driving forward the data strategy for IM, partnering with teams across Investment Management, Enterprise Risk...


  • Hartford, Connecticut, United States CVS Health Full time

    Job SummaryWe are seeking a highly skilled Financial Planning and Analysis Lead Director to join our team at CVS Health. As a key member of our organization, you will be responsible for overseeing a team that provides critical insights and analytics to support our cost strategy, resource management, and business growth initiatives.Key ResponsibilitiesLead...