Head of Strategy, Planning

3 days ago

Boston, 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-IZ1

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.

  • Head of Strategy, Planning

    2 days ago

    Boston, 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,...

  • Head of Strategy, Planning

    3 weeks ago

    Boston, MA, 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,...

  • Executive Assistant to the Head of Quantitative Strategies

    3 weeks ago

    Boston, Massachusetts, United States Hudson Gate Partners Full time

    Job Title: Executive Assistant to the Head of Quantitative StrategiesHudson Gate Partners is seeking an experienced Executive Assistant to support the Head of Quantitative Strategies in Boston.Responsibilities:Manage the executive's calendar and schedule meetingsPrepare the executive for meetings by drafting documents and providing necessary...

  • Head of Research Portfolio Strategy

    2 months ago

    Boston, Massachusetts, United States Takeda Full time

    Job DescriptionAbout the RoleWe are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Head of Research Portfolio Strategy to join our team at Takeda. As a key member of our Research Strategy & Operations Leadership Team, you will play a critical role in overseeing and optimizing our research portfolio, driving focus and prioritization, and ensuring clear...

  • Head of Catastrophe Modeling Strategy

    3 weeks ago

    Boston, Massachusetts, United States Verisk Analytics Full time

    Job DescriptionVerisk Analytics is seeking a highly experienced and skilled professional to lead our team of model product managers in the Extreme Events Solutions business. As the Head of Catastrophe Modeling Strategy, you will be responsible for developing and executing our strategy for catastrophe modeling and risk solutions.About the RoleLead the...

  • Head of Investment Data Strategy and Governance

    3 weeks ago

    Boston, Massachusetts, United States MassMutual Full time

    Job Title: Head of Investment Data Strategy and GovernanceAbout the RoleWe are seeking a highly skilled and experienced professional to lead our Investment Data Strategy team. As the Head of Investment Data Strategy and Governance, you will be responsible for defining, communicating, and driving forward the data strategy for our Investment Management...

  • Head of Digital E&C Program Strategy

    3 weeks ago

    Boston, Massachusetts, United States Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd Full time

    About the RoleThe Head of Digital E&C Program, Strategy will be responsible for defining and driving the execution of a program for Digital Ethics and Compliance, including program design and implementation, cross-functional coordination, and organization change management and communication.The role will involve designing, implementing, and rolling out a...

  • Head of Digital E&C Program, Strategy Lead

    3 weeks ago

    Boston, Massachusetts, United States BioSpace, Inc. Full time

    About the RoleThe Head of Digital E&C Program, Strategy will be responsible for defining and driving the execution of a global digital ethics and compliance strategy and program for Takeda. This includes designing, implementing, and rolling out a digital ethics and compliance framework, as well as coordinating cross-functional teams and managing...

  • Head of Corporate Strategy and Senior Vice President

    3 weeks ago

    Boston, Massachusetts, United States State Street Corporation Full time

    Drive Strategic GrowthThe Head of Corporate Strategy and Senior Vice President will lead the development of an integrated firm-wide strategy, driving the Strategic Planning Process for State Street. This role will oversee the enterprise's strategic choices, including assessing where and how State Street should develop new avenues for growth, examining what...

  • Director, Strategy and Planning

    4 weeks ago

    Boston, United States Fidelity TalentSource LLC Full time

    Job Description:The RoleAs a member of the Brokerage Strategy and Planning team, the Director will work closely with leaders and teams across the domain to drive strategy and business management practices that optimize value for Fidelity customers and associates! The role requires a balance of analytical and problem solving, process management, and...

  • Head of Financial Planning

    3 weeks ago

    Boston, United States EisnerAmper Full time

    Job Description EisnerAmper is seeking our next Head of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A). This highly visible leadership position has ownership of deliverables for the financial and operational drivers of the Company. The incumbent will lead a team of highly effective and driven Managers of planning and analysis who identify and manage data sources from...

  • Head of BP&AD Business Strategy

    7 days ago

    Boston, United States MassMutual Full time

    The OpportunityThe 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...

  • Head of Research Strategy Development and Internal Consulting

    1 month ago

    Boston, United States Takeda Pharmaceuticals Full time

    Are you looking for a patient-focused, innovation-driven company that will inspire you and empower you to shine?At Takeda, we are transforming the pharmaceutical industry through our R&D-driven market leadership and being a values-led company. To do this, we empower our people to realize their potential through life-changing work. Certified as a Global Top...

  • Head of BP&AD Business Strategy

    7 days ago

    BOSTON, United States MassMutual Full time

    The OpportunityThe 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...

  • Head of BP&AD Business Strategy

    1 week ago

    Boston, 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 our...

  • Head of BP&AD Business Strategy

    1 week ago

    BOSTON, United States MassMutual Full time

    The OpportunityThe 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...

  • Strategy and Planning Project Lead

    3 weeks ago

    Boston, Massachusetts, United States Ropes & Gray Full time

    About Ropes & GrayRopes & Gray is a leading global law firm with a strong presence in major business centers worldwide. Our firm has been consistently recognized for its leading practices in various areas, including asset management, private equity, M&A, finance, real estate, tax, antitrust, life sciences, health care, intellectual property, litigation &...

  • Head of Research Portfolio Strategy

    3 weeks ago

    Boston, Massachusetts, United States Takeda Full time

    Join Takeda's Research Team as a Strategic LeaderAbout the RoleTakeda is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Research Portfolio Manager to join our Research Strategy and Operations team. As a key member of our leadership team, you will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive portfolio management strategy for our Research pipeline,...

  • Head of Sales and Growth

    3 weeks ago

    Boston, Massachusetts, United States Vibram Full time

    Job Title: Head of Sales and GrowthJob Summary:The Head of Sales and Growth is a key driver of Vibram Five Fingers growth, profit, and long-term strategic goals. This leadership role involves developing and executing strategic sales plans, fostering strong relationships with key clients and stakeholders, and driving team success.Key Responsibilities:Develop...

  • Strategic Planning Director

    3 weeks ago

    Boston, Massachusetts, United States State Street Corporation Full time

    As a key member of State Street's senior management team, the Head of Corporate Strategy will drive the development of an integrated firm-wide strategy, aligning corporate and growth objectives with business unit and functional strategies.The ideal candidate will have significant management consulting and corporate strategy leadership experience, with a...