VP, Tech Strategy Execution

Location Designation: Hybrid - 3 days per week
The VP, Tech Strategy Execution is the enterprise leader accountable for turning technology strategy into delivered outcomes across the Technology, Data, AI & Ventures organization. Reporting to the SVP & COO, this leader owns the execution engine that modernizes how technology is planned, funded, built, and run, with a focus on faster delivery, disciplined portfolio execution, and measurable business value.
This is a hands-on role for a proven technology execution leader who can orchestrate complex, multi-year programs across engineering, data, AI, infrastructure, vendors, and workforce in a highly matrixed environment. The VP will bring rigor to prioritization, delivery, and governance, and will be held accountable for results, not just roadmaps.
Key Accountabilities
Strategy Execution & Delivery

• Own the end-to-end execution roadmap for Technology, Data & AI, converting strategic priorities into funded, sequenced programs with clear owners, milestones, and value targets.
• Lead execution of large-scale technology modernization, including legacy application and platform retirement, cloud migration, data platform consolidation, and adoption of AI and automation at scale.
• Drive delivery acceleration by improving release cadence, reducing cycle times, and removing cross-team dependencies and bottlenecks.
• Establish and track delivery performance metrics (e.g., throughput, predictability, quality, time-to-market, and cost-to-deliver) and act quickly when programs drift off course.

Operating Model & Engineering Excellence

• Design and implement modern technology operating models, including product-aligned delivery, agile and DevOps practices, platform engineering, and clear role and decision-rights structures.
• Standardize delivery practices, tooling, and quality gates across portfolios to create consistent, repeatable execution.
• Partner with engineering, architecture, security, and data leaders to embed modern engineering standards, automation, and resilience into how work gets done.
• Define and operationalize how AI and data capabilities are in taken, prioritized, built, governed, and scaled across the enterprise.

Portfolio Governance, Risk & Value Realization

• Stand up strategy execution governance, including an execution office, executive steering forums, stage gates, and escalation paths, that drives timely decisions without adding bureaucracy.
• Own portfolio prioritization and capacity planning so that investment aligns to enterprise strategy and delivery capacity is used where it matters most.
• Track benefits realization and financial impact, including cost efficiency, productivity gains, and run-versus-change shifts, in partnership with Finance.
• Proactively identify and mitigate execution, technology, vendor, regulatory, and change risks, with transparent reporting to senior leadership.

Workforce, Vendor & Sourcing Strategy

• Lead workforce strategy execution, including skills development, role redesign, talent mix, and AI-enabled productivity, in partnership with HR and senior technology leaders.
• Drive vendor and sourcing strategy changes, including partner consolidation, performance management, and onshore/offshore/nearshore models, to improve delivery capacity and cost.
• Manage change adoption across large, distributed teams to ensure new ways of working take hold and last.

Leadership & Influence

• Build and lead a high-performing strategy execution team that models collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Influence and align senior stakeholders across Technology, Business, Finance, Risk, and HR to drive decisions and sustain momentum through change.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the SVP & COO and technology leadership team, communicating progress, risks, and trade-offs with clarity and candor.

Qualifications & Experience
Required

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience, including significant time leading enterprise-scale technology delivery or transformation programs.
• Demonstrated success executing large technology initiatives, such as legacy modernization, cloud, data platform, or AI adoption, with measurable business outcomes.
• Deep understanding of modern technology, data, and AI operating models, including agile, DevOps, product and platform models, and portfolio management.
• Experience leading workforce, vendor, and operating model change in a large, complex organization.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience building business cases, managing program budgets, and tracking benefits realization.
• Exceptional executive communication and influence skills, with the ability to drive alignment and change at all levels, from engineering teams to the C-suite.
• Track record of leading cross-functional teams through multi-year technology change.

Preferred

• Financial services or other regulated industry experience.
• Experience modernizing and decommissioning legacy technology environments.
• Experience establishing an execution office, transformation office, or enterprise PMO with demonstrated impact.
• Relevant certifications or training in agile at scale, portfolio management, or strategy execution.

Leadership Attributes

• Execution-driven: Strong bias for action and a record of delivering measurable outcomes on time and on budget.
• Enterprise mindset: Balances technology priorities with business strategy, risk, and financial discipline.
• Comfortable with complexity: Navigates ambiguity, competing priorities, and legacy constraints while keeping teams focused.
• Credible and collaborative: Earns trust with technical and business leaders through expertise, transparency, and emotional intelligence.
• Resilient change leader: Sustains momentum through setbacks and brings people along through difficult change.

Pay Transparency
Salary Range: $250,000 - $300,000
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: 93346
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