VP, Strategy, Planning and New Product Development

VP, Strategy, Planning and New Product Development

AARP is one of the nation's largest nonprofit organizations and is leading a revolution in the way people view and live life after 50.  At AARP, we are involved with the daily lives of more Americans in more ways than you can imagine.  If you're ready, here's your chance to take action and make an impact.

Summary:

Is responsible for developing AARP Services (ASI) 3 year strategic and annual operational plan consistent with AARP and ASI’s strategic objectives in support of AARP “My Life" Portfolio outcomes in collaboration with ASI lines of businesses and shared services.  Develops overall short- and long-term performance metrics and targets in partnership with ASI Finance team that support AARP Portfolio outcomes.  Recommends integrated operating plan with relevant dashboard goals. 

Leads products and services strategy development for addressing new and enhanced health, financial, lifestyle and other emerging area solutions in the area of health, financial, and lifestyle.  Identifies new opportunities for products and services, tools, information, decision guidance, technologies, and processes while building and deploying strategic core competencies across the organization.   Leads the cross functional teams within ASI that oversees concept development through the new product development for new strategic growth areas in collaboration with AARP and ASI key stakeholders.  Provides integrated ASI support to the four AARP Portfolio teams, and manages ASI products and services support for and integration with AARP Portfolio, Strategy & MME teams in support of increasing 50+ relevance, engagement, social change and revenue growth goals.

Responsibilities:

• Leads AARP Services strategic, operational, and business planning.  Undertakes bi-annual overall strategic planning (3 years out) in support of the lines of business shared services, and AARP Portfolios’ strategic goals.   Leads annual operational planning in collaboration with AARP Finance team & aligns AARP Services strategic priorities and goals across functions to increase relevance, engagement, positive social change, and revenue growth.  Reports to the SVP of AARP Services Strategy and Innovation.
• Establishes 50+ consumer and market insights drive strategic analysis and identify current strengths, weaknesses, potential threats, and opportunities collaboratively working with relevant key stakeholders across association (e.g. Portfolio, Segment, Policy and key providers).  Establishes key strategic priorities for the short-, mid-, and long-term opportunities and recommend to ASIL & Portfolio Leads for consideration.
• Develops and integrates products and services strategies to expand and grow 50+ consumer-centric solutions/offerings in anticipation of consumer, market, and industry trends designed to increase relevance, engagement, positive social change, and maximizing financial return for AARP mission.  Leads strategic initiatives to increase member engagement, retention, and growth in high priority segments.
• Leads the development of key strategic priorities based on consumer/member insights, market research & analysis, emerging member trends, market and environmental trends, product analysis of 45+ populations.  Evaluates strategic alternatives based on key success factors including potential member value contribution level, degree of societal impact, financial return, potential risks, and feasibility of implementation.
• Collaborate with ASI research and others to benchmark the market place to understand what other organizations are pursuing in order to offer a perspective to strategic planning sessions.  Assesses current performance, consumer, market, and environmental trends to generate insights to drive strategic agenda working closely with AARP Research and Strategic Analysis, Portfolio Teams, Membership Strategy, Public Policy and Foundation.
• Collaborates with AARP Services Finance team and develops annual dashboard goals, performance metrics, and targets; integrate across the AARP-AARP Services and monitor progress toward objectives.  Conducts periodic reviews on progress with key stakeholders to build awareness, understanding, commitment, and shared action. 
• Leads, Coordinates and provide integrated AARP Services input to AARP Portfolio teams.  Coordinates and manages SOW development, quarterly MSA reviews, monthly NPD pipeline management report in support of AARP’s BPDS team.
• Supports the lines of business in facilitating strategy and planning discussions with providers.
• Develops and maintains partnerships with internal senior management stakeholders (e.g. ASI Management Team, AARP Leadership/Executive Team, Policy, State Offices & Foundation) in order to ensure collaboration and alignment across.
• Supports ASI management team with ASI Board material preparation as required.
• Builds and manages a top-notch team that can deliver on objectives, consistent with the culture and philosophy. 
• Ensures continuous improvement of Concept and NPD process effectiveness and efficiency.
• Demonstrates WORLD CLASS cultural attributes and behaviors in all interactions.

 Requirements

• Completion of an advance degree in Business, Marketing, or related discipline with 15+ years of experience in product and business development, strategic planning, research, innovation, finance and/or marketing.  In-depth knowledge of operations, distribution, product development, customer service, finance and technology is important.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and respond to the target audiences or varying consumer segments.  Understanding of 50+ needs is highly desired.
• Strong background in health & financial services, technology sector, and good understanding of ways to potentially integrate with other product categories (lifestyle categories – discounts & travel). 
• Significant experience negotiating partnerships, alliances, and/or joint venture contracts with companies across multiple categories, including financial services, insurance, or technology.  Ability to engage thought leaders in the financial, technology sector, other emerging areas with confidence and ease.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing product, service, portfolio and other supportive strategies that leverage resources and delivering on the strategic goals.
• Demonstrated leadership and management experience with the ability to work effectively in a matrix environment, to gain internal respect, and build strong relationships with superiors, peers, subordinates, and stakeholders across the AARP enterprise.  Lead by examples.
• Results orientated and a decisive, quick study with proven ability to accurately analyze information, to identify key trends, complete strategic analysis, and recommend viable proposals.
• Strong strategic planning, portfolio integration, marketing, and decision-making skills. 
• Excellent oral/written presentation skills and proficiency in preparation and presentation of proposals for Boards & management teams.

Qualified candidates are invited to apply on-line at:  (see IVS- Analyst, Reporting & Strategic Analysis.) We are an Equal Opportunity Employer that values workplace diversity.

AARP offers competitive benefits with a 401K, 100% company funded pension plan, health, dental, vision, and life insurance, STD/LTD, paid vacation and sick, and other benefits.