Operational Excellence Partner III

The next part of your journey is right around the corner — with The Standard.

A genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of others is the foundation for everything we do. With a customer-first mindset and an intentional focus on building strong teams, we’ve been able to uphold our legacy of financial stability while investing in new, innovative technologies that support the needs of our customers. Our high-performance culture focused on operational excellence thrives thanks to remarkable people united by compassion and a customer-first commitment. Are you ready to make a difference?

Job Summary

Operational Excellence Partners drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance operational performance, organizational effectiveness, and strategic alignment. This role partners with business leaders to identify improvement opportunities, facilitate process optimization, and implement data-driven solutions. Through coaching, assessment, and the use of continuous improvement methodologies, the Operational Excellence Partner helps build organizational capability, standardize work practices, and deliver measurable business results. The role will also lead complex, cross-functional initiatives that support operational excellence and long-term organizational success.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate training and coaching on continuous improvement methodologies, tools, and best practices to build organizational capability and foster a culture of operational excellence.

• Identify, analyze, and implement opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, and operational results through process mapping, root cause analysis, data analysis, and structured problem-solving techniques.

• Partner with leaders to establish key performance metrics, enhance visual management systems, and strengthen routines such as huddles, leader standard work, and performance reviews.

• Work closely with business partners and support teams to share best practices, solve complex problems, standardize processes, and drive continuous improvement initiatives that support organizational goals.

*This role requires traveling annually for planning purposes, team building, or conferences.

Skills and Background You’ll Need

Education: Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Quality Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field.

Experience: 3-5 years of progressive experience in process improvement, operational excellence, or continuous improvement roles.

• Experience applying continuous improvement tools and methodologies, including standard work, process mapping, A3 problem solving, 5S, root cause analysis, and data-driven performance measurement.

• Experience applying Lean and/or Six Sigma principles to improve processes, quality, efficiency, and business outcomes.

• Ability to identify process improvement opportunities, analyze root causes, and implement sustainable solutions using structured problem-solving techniques.

•  Lean and/or Six Sigma certification preferred.

• Experience in group insurance, financial services, or a similar industry preferred.

•  Proven ability to partner with and consult operational leaders and business stakeholders preferred.

• Familiarity with Agile frameworks and change management principles preferred.

Key Behaviors of a Successful Candidate

• Improvement Mindset: Continually seeks new ways to create business/ customer value by identifying and implementing opportunities for improved efficiency, effectiveness and innovation.                           

• Customer Focus: Understands and anticipates both internal and external customer needs and develops customer-inspired solutions that exceed expectations.                         

• Winning Together: Actively engages colleagues to achieve shared outcomes by developing trust, inviting diverse perspectives and pushing to bring the best ideas forward.

We have built an enduring legacy of stability, financial strength and exceptional customer service through the contributions of the service-oriented people who choose to work at The Standard. To ensure we can attract and retain the best talent, when you join The Standard you can expect:

• A rich benefits package including medical, dental, vision and a 401(k) plan with matching company contributions

• An annual incentive bonus plan

• Generous paid time off including 11 holidays, 2 wellness days, and 8 volunteer hours annually — PTO increases with tenure

• A supportive, responsive management approach and opportunities for career growth and advancement 

• Paid parental leave and adoption/surrogacy assistance

• An employee giving program that double matches your donations to eligible nonprofits and schools

In addition to the competitive salary range below, our employee-focused benefits support work-life balance. Learn more about working at The Standard.

• Eligibility to participate in an incentive program is subject to the rules governing the program and plan. Any award depends on a variety of factors including individual and organizational performance.

The actual compensation for this role will be based on a combination of education and experience, knowledge and skills, position budget, internal equity, and market data.

Salary Range:

Standard Insurance Company, The Standard Life Insurance Company of New York, Standard Retirement Services, Inc., StanCorp Mortgage Investors, LLC, StanCorp Investment Advisers, Inc., and American Heritage Life Insurance Company and American Heritage Service Company, marketed as The Standard, are Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability or veteran status or any other condition protected by federal, state or local law. Except where precluded by state or federal law, The Standard will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. The Standard offers a drug- and alcohol-free work environment where possession, manufacture, transfer, offer, use of or being impaired by an illegal substance while on The Standard's property, or in other cases which the company believes might affect operations, safety or reputation of the company is prohibited. The Standard requires a criminal background investigation and employment, education and licensing verification as a condition of employment. After any conditional offer of employment is made, the background check will include an individualized assessment based on the applicant’s specific record and the duties and requirements of the specific job. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain and correct background information. All employees of The Standard must be bondable.