Head of Product Strategy & Platform Innovation

Key Responsibilities

Product Strategy & Innovation Own the forward‑looking product strategy across advisory, annuities, and alternatives within an open‑architecture ecosystem. Identify gaps, white spaces, and emerging opportunities driven by advisor needs, client behavior, regulation, and competitive dynamics. Design differentiated product constructs, solutions, and portfolios by creatively leveraging third‑party partners rather than manufacturing products. Translate industry trends (e.g., retirement income, tax efficiency, private markets, managed solutions, model portfolios) into actionable platform initiatives.

Platform Differentiation & Go‑to‑Market Develop clear go‑to‑market strategies for platform capabilities, including positioning, messaging, and advisor value propositions. Partner closely with Marketing to ensure product stories are simple, compelling, and commercially effective. Work with Sales and Business Development to align product strategy with advisor adoption, growth objectives, and field readiness. Drive clarity around why advisors should use specific solutions—not just what is available.

Partner Strategy & Ecosystem Management Serve as a senior point of engagement with asset managers, insurance carriers, TAMPs, and product sponsors. Evaluate, onboard, and rationalize partners with a focus on quality, differentiation, economics, and strategic fit. Co‑create solutions with partners where appropriate, including custom portfolios, white‑labeled offerings, or exclusive access strategies. Maintain a strong commercial lens on platform economics, scalability, and advisor impact.

Cross‑Functional Leadership & Influence Act as a strategic connector across Product Management, Sales, Marketing, Training, and Business Development. Provide strategic direction while leveraging existing execution teams for implementation. Influence priorities and outcomes without direct people ownership, using clarity, credibility, and collaboration. Partner with Training and Sales Enablement to ensure advisors understand not just products—but how to use them in holistic planning conversations.

Advisors view the platform as thoughtful, differentiated, and easy to position with clients. Product initiatives are clearly linked to advisor adoption, client outcomes, and revenue growth. Partners see the firm as a strategic collaborator, not just a distributor. The platform evolves proactively—not reactively—to market and advisor needs.

• 10+ years of experience in wealth management, asset management, insurance, or fintech, with exposure to RIA and broker‑dealer environments.
• Deep knowledge of fee‑based advisory, annuities, alternatives, and managed solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to build or evolve open‑architecture platforms without manufacturing products.
• Strong commercial and go‑to‑market orientation—understands how strategy translates into advisor behavior.
• Proven success working cross‑functionally and influencing outcomes without direct authority.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to balance vision with practical execution.
• Comfortable operating with ambiguity and turning ideas into scalable initiatives.

This role ensures our product platform moves from “robust but pedestrian” to strategically curated, commercially sharp, and advisor‑obsessed—without disrupting what already works operationally. It complements strong execution with vision, innovation, and market leadership.

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Benefits apply to full‑time eligible employees. Interns are not eligible for most company benefits.

Guardian is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

Guardian is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. Guardian…