Corporate Vice President, Product Development Leader - Whole Life & 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 policyowners 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.
What You'll Do:
Strategic Leadership

• 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.

Product Development Execution

• 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.

Team Management and Development

• 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.

Cross-Functional Leadership and Collaboration

• 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.

What You'll Bring:

• 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 tools (e.g., Jira, Rally) preferred.

Why Join Us:
At New York Life, we take pride in our long history of financial strength, mutuality, and commitment to doing the right thing. As a Product Development Leader, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of our flagship life insurance offerings, mentor talented professionals, and influence how we deliver enduring value to our policyowners and agents.
Pay Transparency
Salary Range: $156,000-$223,000
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 hereto 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. We're 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: 92975