Assistant Vice President, Innovation

Assistant Vice President, Innovation
Location: West Des Moines, IA (Mostly On-Site)
Employment Type: Full-Time

EquiTrust Life Insurance Company is a national carrier of competitive, client-friendly annuity products sold through a variety of distribution channels, including more than 20,000 independent agents and independent marketing organizations (IMOs). Since 2003, we have provided exceptional customer service to our clients by operating with integrity and passion.

Our success is driven by a collaborative and inclusive workforce that values diverse perspectives, innovation, and continuous improvement. EquiTrust sells products nationwide and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with operations in West Des Moines, Iowa.

As the Assistant Vice President, Innovation, you will help shape and execute innovation initiatives that advance EquiTrust's strategic priorities, business growth, and technology transformation. You will partner with business leaders, technology teams, and external partners to explore emerging technologies, develop innovative solutions, and turn promising ideas into meaningful business outcomes.

We are looking for a collaborative and forward-thinking leader who is passionate about innovation, developing talent, and creating opportunities to improve operational efficiency and customer experiences through technology.

• Lead the development and execution of innovation programs, pilots, and strategic initiatives that support business transformation and organizational priorities.

• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies, industry trends, and business opportunities to inform innovation strategies and investments.

• Facilitate ideation, experimentation, and proof-of-concept initiatives, helping transform promising ideas into scalable business and technology solutions.

• Partner with business and IT leaders to develop innovation roadmaps and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, enhance customer experiences, and drive business growth.

• Explore and pilot emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, automation, cloud platforms, and other digital capabilities.

• Build relationships with internal stakeholders, technology providers, startups, and strategic partners to support innovation initiatives and collaboration.

• Establish and monitor innovation metrics to evaluate program effectiveness, measure outcomes, and communicate progress to senior leadership.

• Promote a culture of innovation by encouraging creative thinking, responsible experimentation, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning across the organization.

• Lead and mentor innovation team members and cross-functional project teams, supporting professional development, resource planning, and successful project delivery.

• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and forward-thinking work environment that encourages diverse perspectives and continuous improvement.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Technology, Information Systems, or a related field required.

• Certifications or coursework in human-centered design, change management, artificial intelligence, or related innovation disciplines preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in innovation, strategy, digital transformation, product development, or related fields.

• Experience leading innovation programs, technology pilots, or digital transformation initiatives from concept through implementation.

• Experience identifying and evaluating emerging technologies and translating business challenges into innovative solutions.

• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, business leaders, and external partners to deliver strategic initiatives.

• Experience within life insurance, financial services, or other regulated industries preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate business needs into innovative, technology-enabled solutions.

• Experience with innovation management methodologies, experimentation frameworks, proof-of-concept development, and emerging technology evaluation.

• Knowledge of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, automation, advanced analytics, cloud platforms, and digital transformation capabilities.

• Ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams, build trusted relationships, and communicate effectively with senior leadership and external partners.

• Strong leadership, coaching, and talent development skills with the ability to foster creativity, collaboration, psychological safety, and continuous learning.

• Ability to evaluate business processes, identify opportunities for improvement, and guide innovative solutions from ideation through implementation.

• Strong project and program management skills, including prioritization, resource allocation, performance measurement, and delivery oversight.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to explain complex concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.

• Ability to balance strategic priorities with practical execution while adapting to evolving technologies and business needs.

• Commitment to innovation, continuous improvement, and fostering an inclusive environment that encourages diverse perspectives and ideas.

• Ability to work at a computer for extended periods, including frequent use of a keyboard and monitor.

• Occasional standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting up to 20 pounds.

• Ability to communicate effectively in a professional work environment.

• Location: West Des Moines, IA (Mostly On-Site)

• Travel: Occasional travel (5–10%)

EquiTrust is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where employees feel respected, valued, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences and encourage candidates to apply even if they do not meet every preferred qualification listed.

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