Our New York Life culture has laid the foundation for over 180 years of commitment to our employees, agents, policy owners, and the communities where we live and work. Here you become a valued part of a welcoming, inclusive, and caring organization with a long-standing legacy in stability and growth. The strength revolves around our diversified, multi-dimensional business portfolio that goes beyond life insurance.

As a Fortune 100 company and industry leader, we provide an environment where you can explore your career ambitions, offering opportunities to tackle meaningful challenges and stretch your skills while balancing work and life priorities.  You will be part of an inclusive team guided by our belief to always be there for each other–providing the support and flexibility to grow and reach new heights while making an impact in the lives of others.

You are our future, and we commit to investing in you accordingly.

Business Unit Overview

Our Agency distribution system is the lifeblood and key differentiator of New York Life, where dedicated individuals like you provide vital support to our field force and connect with clients, helping build lifelong relationships. As part of our team, you'll equip agents with the tools, training, and support they need to succeed and thrive. Your work helps foster financial security for countless individuals, shaping their futures and contributing to the growth of the business.

Role Overview:

The Head of Practice Model Strategy & Operations will lead the strategic development of our five core practice models (Financial Guidance, Wealth Advisory, Retirement Planning, Estate Planning, and Business Planning) and support the operational execution for the Holistic Advice and Financial Planning team. These practice models embody NYL’s proprietary protection-first holistic advice and guidance approach and represent key vertical specialties that drive advanced skill development and expertise for NYL’s advisors.

This individual will be responsible for advancing the development of these practice models — bridging the learning curricula to the practical, field-facing resources that advisors can leverage in holistic planning engagements. A critical component of this role is close partnership with functional teams responsible for programs—such as case development, practice development & management, and coaching programs—that bring these practice models to life through day-to-day advisor and field manager support.

What You’ll Do:

• Strategic Development: Shape and evolve the strategic direction of the five practice models to ensure they are cohesive, differentiated, and aligned with New York Life’s protection-first holistic advice and guidance approach.
• Productization of Practice Models: Bridge the practice model learning curricula into actionable, scalable tools and frameworks that empower advisors to deliver guidance that drives better financial outcomes for clients.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Collaborate closely with leaders across advisor support programs—including those overseeing field learning, case development, practice development & management, and coaching programs—to ensure integrated delivery of advisor experiences. Act as a connective thread between vertical model content and horizontal application.
• Digital Tool Development Partnership: Work in partnership with digital and technology teams to inform the design, development, and deployment of proprietary financial planning tools that align with and support the practice models.
• Strategic Projects & External Partnerships: Lead and manage special initiatives, including the development of partnerships with external firms that offer complementary expertise, capabilities, and/or content aligned with the practice models and NYL’s protection-first holistic advice & guidance approach. Synthesize progress and insights into strategic updates, including executive-ready memos and presentation decks for senior leadership.
• Operational Leadership: Partner with senior leadership team to build and maintain the operating model for the Holistic Advice & Financial Planning team, including systems, rituals, OKRs, and research efforts that foster collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Measurement & Impact: Partner with cross-functional analytics teams to establish KPIs and evaluation methods to assess how effectively the practice models and associated support drives advisor capability and business outcomes.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced designations and certifications (e.g., ChFC®, CFP®) or graduate degrees (e.g., MBA, JD) are a plus.
• 10+ years in financial services, with deep experience in advisor development, practice management, and/or strategic program design.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and managing change across large, matrixed organizations.
• Strategic and curious thinker with strong operational acumen and a passion for translating concepts into usable frameworks.
• Proven ability to collaborate and influence decision-making at senior levels across diverse teams, supported by excellent communication skills.  
• Deep knowledge of the financial advice industry, financial planning technology, and advisor support systems.
• Natural curiosity on how AI can support the delivery of financial advice; hands-on experience experimenting with AI tools.