Corporate Vice President - Business Unit Continuous Improvement Sustainability Leader

Location Designation: Hybrid - 3 days per week

Role Overview

As the Business Unit Continuous Improvement (CI) Sustainability Leader, you will help ensure the sustained adoption of the CI Management System within an assigned business unit or function within Finance.

Coach business leaders on CI principles, systems, and tools; support post-implementation assessments and improvement plans. Accelerate CI maturity and enterprise performance by coaching Tier 2-4 leaders across complex functions and business lines to drive balanced scorecard performance, value creation and ongoing productivity improvements. Operate at a strategic level, enabling leaders to deploy CI capabilities to shape business outcomes. Guide and evolve CI systems, lead cross-functional MSAs, and contribute to enterprise methodology through the COE

What You'll Do:

CI Coaching & Capability Building:

• Coach multiple CVPs, VPs, and SVPs across Tier 2-4 o Build CI maturity across entire functions (e.g., Sales, HR, Underwriting)
• Design and deliver CI training and advanced leadership refreshers

Sustainability & Assessments:

• Serve as lead assessor for MSAs across departments or business unit
• Translate MSA findings into strategic priorities and oversee execution of 100 day plans
• Tailor and scale CI systems to meet evolving needs of multiple team

Performance & Value Capture:

• Lead value creation initiatives that deliver 3-5% YOY gains at multi-team or BU scale
• Support leaders in linking improvement efforts to financial outcomes and balanced scorecards

CI Tools & Systems Integration:

• Apply and coach advanced CI tools and systems (e.g., Kaizen events, Hoshin Kanri, CI loop design)
• Design, adapt, and scale systems to embed CI behaviors across functions
• Collaborate with COE to evolve enterprise tool standards

Strategy Deployment & Performance Alignment:

• Coach senior leaders on strategy deployment methods (X-matrix, tiered metrics)
• Translate CI assessments into cross-functional strategic priorities and performance levers
• Embed CI into planning and performance review cadences

Collaboration & Mentorship:

• Lead cross-functional CI forums and Communities of Practice
• Proven success in CI leadership across large-scale, federated orgs
• Strong executive presence and ability to influence at VP/SVP level
• Deep knowledge of advanced CI tools and systems
• Skilled in facilitation, coaching, and strategic planning
• Build CI capabilities through coaching, training, facilitation, and participation in the CI Center of Excellence and Community of Practice, sharing and applying best practices across the organization

What You'll Bring:

You bring strong Continuous Improvement and systems-thinking capabilities, with the ability to identify root causes, facilitate effective problem-solving, and translate assessment findings into practical improvement plans. You are a credible coach and influencer who can work effectively with business leaders, navigate ambiguity, and drive measurable performance outcomes without direct authority. You communicate clearly, manage projects effectively, and use balanced scorecard CI metrics and business insights to support sustained improvements.

Required Skills:

• BS/BA degree or equivalent.
• Track record of leading and developing others, with a passion for coaching. 7+ years experience with Continuous Improvement, Lean Management, or Operational Excellence
• Strong knowledge of Continuous Improvement principles, systems, tools, diagnostic techniques, and problem-solving methods
• Demonstrated ability to coach, influence, facilitate, and build alignment with business leaders and teams.
• Strong problem-solving skills, including problem identification, root cause analysis, resolution, and follow-up
• Project management capability, including defining steps, timing, owners, barriers, and actions needed to drive completion.
• Ability to work with balanced scorecard metrics and targets and drive measurable business performance outcomes
• Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint, with effective written, verbal, presentation, negotiation, and conflict-management skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Previous participation as a Change Agent in a prior Continuous Improvement deployment
• Team leadership experience
• Established relationships with business leaders and front-line colleagues within the supported business unit or function
• Proven success in CI leadership across large-scale, federated orgs
• Strong executive presence and ability to influence at VP/SVP level
• Deep knowledge of advanced CI tools and systems
• Skilled in facilitation, coaching, and strategic planning
• Familiarity with OEI, Shingo, or equivalent framework
• Experience with adult-learning and facilitation techniques used to build individual and team capabilities

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Pay Transparency

Salary Range: $147,500-$211,000

Overtime eligible: Exempt

Discretionary bonus eligible: Yes

Sales bonus eligible: No

Actual base salary will be determined based on several factors but not limited to individual's experience, skills, qualifications, and job location. Additionally, employees are eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. In addition to base salary, employees may also be eligible to participate in an incentive program.

Company Overview

At New York Life, our 180-year legacy of purpose and integrity fuels our future. As we evolve into a more technology-, data-, and AI-enabled organization, we remain grounded in the values that drive lasting impact.

Our diverse business portfolio creates opportunities to make a difference across industries and communities-inviting bold thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and purpose-driven innovation. Here, you'll find the rare balance of long-standing stability and forward momentum, supported by an inclusive team that honors tradition while embracing progress.

As a Fortune 100 mutual company, we offer a place to grow your skills, contribute to meaningful work, and deliver solutions that matter. Your ideas drive what's next, and your growth powers it.

Our Benefits

We provide a full package of benefits for employees - and have unique offerings for a modern workforce, including leave programs, adoption assistance, and student loan repayment programs. Based on feedback from our employees, we continue to refine and add benefits to our offering, so that you can flourish both inside and outside of work. Click here to discover more about our comprehensive benefit options or visit our NYL Benefits Site.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

At New York Life, fostering an inclusive workplace is fundamental to who we are and how we serve our communities. We have a longstanding commitment to creating an environment where individuals can contribute their best and succeed together. This foundation is rooted in our core values of humanity and integrity, ensuring that every employee feels valued and supported. By embracing a broad range of perspectives and experiences, we achieve greater success and fulfill our promise of providing financial security and peace of mind to families across all communities. Click here to learn more about New York Life's leadership in this space.

Recognized as one of Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies, New York Life is committed to improving local communities through a culture of employee giving and volunteerism, supported by the Foundation. Were proud that due to our mutuality, we operate in the best interests of our policy owners. To learn more about career opportunities at New York Life, please visit the Careers page of www.NewYorkLife.com.

Visit our LinkedIn to see how our employees and agents are leading the industry and impacting communities.

Visit our Newsroom to learn more about how our company is constantly evolving to meet our clients and employees' needs.

Job Requisition ID: 94679