Strategic Partnerships Lead

Location Designation: Fully Remote 

Group Benefit Solutions delivers comprehensive insurance and absence management solutions for mid-sized and large companies. Our work fosters a healthier, happier, and more secure workforce, contributing to New York Life’s legacy of being there when we’re needed most. Here, you'll design, implement, and support these solutions directly impacting employees’ lives. At our core, we provide financial security and peace of mind to people through our absence, accident, disability, voluntary benefits, and life insurance solutions. Click here to learn more about Group Benefits solutions.

Role Overview:

The Corporate Vice President – Strategic Partnerships plays a pivotal role in driving the strategic direction and operational excellence of key partnerships in support of business operations functions, including, but not limited to, customer and client service, contact center, claims, and mail/print operations. This role is responsible for leading cross-functional partnerships, managing vendor relationships, driving new initiatives, and ensuring alignment between business goals and service delivery—particularly in the context of outsourced engagements. This position will be responsible for relationships between outsourcing partners and New York Life Group Benefit Solutions, assessing and prioritizing opportunities, developing staff, implementing, evaluating performance, collecting and disseminating information, resolving problems, building and maintaining trust and support, and coordinating system deployments and testing.

What You'll Do:

• Provide ongoing support of existing outsourced relationships and identify opportunities for ongoing improvement (via KPI management) and strategic growth

• Ensure overall accountability for partner goals, performance, and strategic initiatives.
• Serve as the primary strategic liaison for external partners, including oversight of contract negotiations and vendor performance for several hundred contingent workers
• Drive innovative solutions that lead development and implementation of creative strategies to enhance vendor relationships and improve service delivery
• Work as a trusted partner with business leaders, fostering use cases that explore new ideas and encourage out of the box thinking in support of their long term goals
• Drive innovation and efficiency in service delivery, including setup and transition of new initiatives and ongoing business reviews.
• Maintain and update business continuity plans and policies to address service and/or operational challenges
• Provide strategic input on scorecard metrics, performance evaluations, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Utilize the latest technological advancements to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and deliver cutting-edge solutions.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and implement innovative practices to enhance overall performance and stakeholder experience.
• Oversee multimillion dollar annual spend and ensure appropriate budget and financial controls
• Develop reports and presentations for executive level audiences
• Provide additional strategic support as needed

What You'll Bring:

• 5+ years related experience required in management role
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience strongly preferred
• Proven experience in strategic partnerships, vendor management, or service operations within the insurance or financial services industry.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence across functions and levels.
• Demonstrated success in managing complex projects and cross-functional teams.
• Familiarity with contact center technologies and BPO models is highly desirable.
• Cultural sensitivity and comfort working with global operations teams
• Exceptional attention to detail and change management; Project management experience a plus
• Must operate with a great sense of urgency and consistently meet deadlines
• Capable of managing multi