*At Securian Financial the internal position title is Engineering Sr Mgr.*
Position Overview
The Institutional Retirement Solutions (IRS) Technology Leader is a business-focused technology leader accountable for shaping and advancing the technology and data strategy that enables growth, differentiation, and operational excellence across Securian Financial’s Institutional Retirement Solutions business.
This role is hands-on and personally accountable for developing and executing the IRS technology strategic plan and data strategy, advancing the use of AI and emerging technologies, and delivering enterprise and market-specific initiatives that drive measurable business value. The leader will partner closely with IRS business, product, actuarial, investment, operations, and enterprise technology teams to modernize capabilities supporting Pension Risk Transfer (PRT), Institutional Financial Products, and adjacent retirement solutions.
Operating at the intersection of business strategy, technology execution, and innovation, this leader brings understanding of the institutional retirement and insurance landscape and translates market opportunity into modern, scalable, and resilient technology solutions. This role is designed for a leader who combines strategic thinking with active execution and leads an evolving and growing team of technology professionals. The position reports to the Head of Institutional Retirement Solutions Technology and acts as an enterprise and strategic partner with both the IRS and Enterprise Technology teams.
Key Responsibilities
Technology Strategy and Planning
Owns and actively develops the Institutional Retirement Solutions technology strategy, ensuring alignment with business growth objectives, enterprise priorities, and long-term market evolution.
Creates and maintains a multi-year IRS technology strategic plan and roadmap, inclusive of core platforms, data, AI, and emerging capabilities required to compete and win in institutional retirement markets.
Drives strategic analysis, solution framing, vendor analysis/selection, and partners closely on business case development for priority initiatives—bringing technology insight directly into business decision-making.
Partners with IRS business leadership to translate PRT and institutional product strategies into executable technology and data capabilities.
Serves as a visible technology thought partner within the IRS organization, using business-oriented language and outcomes to influence direction and investment.
Leads technology architecture and capability discussions to advance/mature capabilities bringing together people, process, technology, and data enablers in partnership with architects, engineers, and product leaders to drive business value.
Platform, Data, AI & Emerging Capabilities Innovation and Modernization
Partners on the development and execution of the IRS data strategy, including analytics, reporting, data governance, and integration across actuarial, underwriting, investment, finance, and operations domains.
Advances the use of AI, analytics, and automation to enhance pricing, risk assessment, operational efficiency, client experience, and decision support.
Identifies, pilots, and scales emerging technologies that create competitive advantage in institutional retirement markets.
Partners with enterprise data, architecture, and security teams to ensure solutions are compliant, resilient, and privacy-by-design.
Owns the end-to-end lifecycle of IRS technology capabilities, from strategic concept and business case development through delivery, adoption, value realization, and eventual modernization or retirement.
Collaborates with enterprise architecture and shared services to ensure IRS needs are represented and integrated into broader enterprise capabilities.
Market & Enterprise Execution
Drives execution of both enterprise-wide initiatives and IRS-specific market solutions in partnership with Product Delivery/Enablement, business, and shared services leaders, ensuring delivery of tangible value into the business.
Sponsors and leads cross-functional initiatives that improve speed to market, scalability, and ease of doing business for market and internal partners.
Acts as a senior escalation point for IRS technology delivery—removing impediments, managing risk, and ensuring accountability for outcomes.
Ensures technology solutions operate safely, securely, and reliably, with appropriate service levels, resiliency, and controls consistent with industry expectations.
Leadership, Talent Development, and Partnerships
Leads and develops a small team of engineers aligned to IRS priorities, fostering a high-performance, accountable, and inclusive culture.
Fosters organizational depth, succession readiness, and talent development to support sustained growth while growing team collaboration and high performance.
Balances internal talent development with effective use of vendors, global delivery partners, and third-party platforms.
Builds strong, trusted relationships across business, technology, actuarial, investment, and operations leaders—exerting influence through expertise, credibility, and outcomes.
Partners early with business leaders to evaluate and enable third-party and hybrid delivery models as the business enters new markets, leading build-vs-buy-vs-partner decisions and the implementation of scalable, sustainable solutions/delivery models.
Required Qualifications:
Experience leading technology strategy and delivery within insurance, institutional retirement, pension risk transfer, asset management, or related regulated financial services environments.
Demonstrated success developing and executing business-aligned technology and data strategies, with personal accountability for outcomes.
Strong understanding of institutional retirement solutions, including PRT, defined benefit pension dynamics, or institutional financial products.
Proven ability to apply data, analytics, and AI to drive business insight, operational efficiency, and competitive advantage.
Strong technical acumen with the ability to guide decisions related to architecture, integration, security, scalability, and resiliency.
Experience leading complex initiatives across enterprise and market-specific contexts.
Demonstrated success leading high-impact teams and influencing outcomes in matrixed environments, including building strong internal and external partnerships
Proven experience evaluating and implementing third-party and hybrid technology solutions including partnering with external providers, assessing build-vs-buy-vs-partner options, and enabling scalable delivery models that support growth and operational sustainability
Ability to communicate effectively with executive, business, actuarial, and technology stakeholders using business-first language.
Comfort operating in ambiguity, balancing strategic thinking with hands-on leadership and execution.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience directly supporting Pension Risk Transfer, institutional pricing, underwriting, or actuarial technology capabilities.
Background in modern engineering practices including Agile delivery, cloud-based platforms, automation, and DevOps.
Experience modernizing legacy insurance or retirement platforms while maintaining operational stability.
Demonstrated external awareness of institutional retirement market trends, competitor capabilities, and emerging technology applications.
#LI-hybrid **This position will be in a hybrid working arrangement.**
Securian Financial believes in hybrid work as an integral part of our culture. Associates get the benefit of working both virtually and in our offices. If you’re in a commutable distance (90 minutes) you’ll join us 3 days each week in our offices to collaborate and build relationships. Our policy allows flexibility for the reality of business and personal schedules.
The estimated base pay range for this job is:
Pay may vary depending on job-related factors and individual experience, skills, knowledge, etc. More information on base pay and incentive pay (if applicable) can be discussed with a member of the Securian Financial Talent Acquisition team.
Be you. With us. At Securian Financial, we understand that attracting top talent means offering more than just a job – it means providing a rewarding and fulfilling career. As a valued member of our high-performing team, we want you to connect with your work, your relationships and your community. Enjoy our comprehensive range of benefits designed to enhance your professional growth, well-being and work-life balance, including the advantages listed here:
Paid time off:
We want you to take time off for what matters most to you. Our PTO program provides flexibility for associates to take meaningful time away from work to relax, recharge and spend time doing what’s important to them. And Securian Financial rewards associates for their service by providing additional PTO the longer you stay at Securian.
Leave programs: Securian’s flexible leave programs allow time off from work for parental leave, caregiver leave for family members, bereavement and military leave.
Holidays: Securian provides nine company paid holidays.
Company-funded pension plan and a 401(k) retirement plan: Share in the success of our company. Securian’s 401(k) company contribution is tied to our performance up to 10 percent of eligible earnings, with a target of 5 percent. The amount is based on company results compared to goals related to earnings, sales and service.
Health insurance: From the first day of employment, associates and their eligible family members – including spouses, domestic partners and children – are eligible for medical, dental and vision coverage.
Volunteer time: We know the importance of community. Through company-sponsored events, volunteer paid time off, a dollar-for-dollar matching gift program and more, we encourage you to support organizations important to you.
Associate Resource Groups: Build connections, be yourself and develop meaningful relationships at work through associate-led ARGs. Dedicated groups focus on a variety of interests and affinities, including:
Mental Wellness and Disability
Pride at Securian Financial
Securian Young Professionals Network
Securian Multicultural Network
Securian Women and Allies Network
Servicemember Associate Resource Group
For more information regarding Securian’s benefits, please review our Benefits page.
This information is not intended to explain all the provisions of coverage available under these plans. In all cases, the plan document dictates coverage and provisions.
Securian Financial Group, Inc. does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital or familial status, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, political affiliation, veteran status, status in regard to public assistance or any other protected status. If you are a job seeker with a disability and require an accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, please contact us by email at Employment@Securian.com, by telephone 651-655-5522 (voice), or 711 (Relay/TTY).
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