Corporate Vice President, Product Development Leader Term

Location Designation:
Hybrid – 3 days per week

Role Overview:

The Life Products organization at New York Life is responsible for delivering industry-leading life insurance solutions that meet the evolving needs of our policy owners and agents. We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Product Development Leader to oversee and drive the Whole Life and Term product portfolios. This role will be responsible for leading a team of product professionals, shaping product strategy, and ensuring the successful development and launch of innovative and profitable life insurance products.

This individual will play a critical leadership role in advancing New York Life’s mission to provide financial security and peace of mind to our customers. The ideal candidate brings deep life insurance expertise, strong business acumen, and a proven ability to lead cross-functional teams through complex product development initiatives.

• Lead the strategy, design, and development of New York Life’s Whole Life and Term insurance products, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and customer needs.
• Partner with senior leaders across Product, Actuarial, Finance, Distribution, Marketing, and Technology to define long-term product roadmaps and innovation pipelines.
• Serve as a thought leader on market trends, competitive positioning, and emerging customer needs to inform future product development priorities.
• Drive strategic initiatives focused on product differentiation, pricing optimization, and profitability management.

• Oversee all phases of the product development lifecycle-from ideation and business case development through design, implementation, and launch.
• Ensure effective governance and adherence to internal standards for risk, compliance, and financial soundness.
• Partner closely with Technology, Service, and Agency stakeholders to deliver high-quality product experiences and operational excellence.
• Collaborate with the In-Force Optimization team to ensure new product designs align with long-term business sustainability.

• Directly manage and mentor the Whole Life and Term product development teams (currently at least two direct reports), fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
• Provide clear direction and guidance on project priorities, resource allocation, and performance objectives.
• Champion talent development and ensure succession planning within the product management organization.

• Lead cross-functional working groups to advance product initiatives that require coordination across multiple departments.
• Represent the Life Products function in enterprise-wide committees, steering groups, and governance forums.
• Effectively communicate product strategy, progress, and outcomes to senior management and other key stakeholders.

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (MBA, CFA, or related field) strongly preferred.
• 12 years of experience in life insurance product development or management, with significant exposure to both Whole Life and Term lines.
• Demonstrated success leading product strategy and cross-functional execution at scale within a large, matrixed organization.
• Strong understanding of life insurance financials, profitability levers, and risk management principles.
• Exceptional leadership and people management skills with a proven ability to develop and inspire high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication and influencing abilities; capable of presenting to senior leadership and driving alignment across diverse stakeholders.
• Experience operating within an Agile environment and leveraging modern project management…