Indexed Annuity Product Investment Management Lead (Hybrid) at Guardian in New York, NY

Job description

Position Summary Do you want to shape how Guardian's annuity solutions deliver value to clients? Do you enjoy working across the full spectrum of investment due diligence, strategy, and management while working closely with distribution partners to explain how a strategy works and why it matters? At Guardian, we do the right thing, we believe people count, we courageously shape our future together, and we go above and beyond for the people we serve. If these values resonate with you, Guardian is seeking an Indexed Product Investment Management Lead to own the index and investment strategy agenda behind our Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA) and Registered Index-Linked Annuity (RILA) products in close partnership with the Head of Indexed Annuities. You are An investment-minded product professional who understands what sits behind indexed crediting strategies and quality investment strategies. You are comfortable evaluating index construction and index provider proposals, discussing option budgets and hedging cost with actuarial and ALM partners, and translating all of it into a clear, credible story for advisors and clients. You are equally at home in a technical rate-setting discussion and in front of a distribution audience, and you keep a sharp eye on how index and strategy choices affect competitiveness, profitability, operations, and disclosure obligations. You have Required : A bachelor's degree (preferred), or equivalent related work experience; CFA, FRM, or actuarial credentials are a plus. 5+ years of experience in investments, derivatives, hedging, annuity pricing, or index-linked product management. Working knowledge of index construction, options and option pricing, hedge budgets, and how crediting mechanics such as caps, participation rates, spreads, buffers, floors, and triggers are funded. Strong executive and technical communication skills, with the ability to make complex investment concepts clear and accurate for internal partners, advisors, and clients. Comfort and credibility in market-facing settings, including wholesaler enablement, firm due diligence, and advisor education. Strong analytical capability, financial acumen, and sound business judgment, with rigorous attention to accuracy in data, performance figures, and competitive comparisons. Excellent influencing, organizational, and facilitation skills; able to gain consensus and cultivate strategic internal and external relationships. Ability to manage several dissimilar projects concurrently and prioritize appropriately in a fast-paced, matrixed environment. Preferred : Direct FIA and/or RILA experience. Familiarity with index provider relationships, licensing agreements, and the disclosure and filing obligations that accompany index use in annuity products. Experience leveraging AI tools to enhance and accelerate results. You will Drive the index and crediting strategy agenda across Guardian's FIA and RILA portfolio, including the current index menu, term lengths, and crediting methods, and recommend additions, replacements, and retirements aligned to product strategy. Lead research and development on new indices and investment strategies, including engagement with index providers, investment banks, and asset management partners, and assessment of internal and operational implications. Evaluate proposed indices on construction, historical and expected behavior, volatility control mechanics, option cost and hedgeability, illustration eligibility, and fit with target advisor and client use cases. Partner with Annuity Pricing, Hedging, and ALM on option budgets, hedge feasibility, and the economics of custom versus benchmark indices. Support the monthly new business and renewal rate-setting process with competitive and investment perspective on cap, participation, spread, and trigger levels, and on the in-force renewal rate path. Monitor and explain index and strategy performance across new business and the in-force block, and partner closely with marketing on