Head of Institutional Retirement Distribution & Strategic Partnerships

Securian Financial is creating a new senior leadership role to accelerate the growth of our Institutional Retirement Solutions (IRS) business. As the Head of Institutional Retirement Distribution & Strategic Partnerships, you will serve as a senior leader responsible for shaping the national gotomarket strategy for Securian's defined contribution stable value and guaranteed income solutions and some adjacent markets, while building a modern, scalable distribution platform. You will play a pivotal role in expanding our market presence, deepening strategic partnerships, and driving disciplined execution during a period of accelerated growth and complexity.

This role reports to the SVP, Institutional Retirement Solutions, and acts as a strategic partner to the IRS Leadership Team and enterprise executives. It is a rare opportunity to build something foundational at an inflection point for the business.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Distribution Leadership & Execution

• Lead Securian's national distribution strategy across advisor, consultant, aggregator, and recordkeeper channels.

• Oversee external wholesaling, national accounts, strategic relationship management, and broader business development efforts.

• Build and refine the operating model-including segmentation, territory design, and pipeline discipline-while expanding distribution capacity aligned to business growth.

• Strengthen consultant and advisor engagement and partner with Marketing to convert market awareness into scalable adoption.

• Establish a clear performance rhythm through KPIs, forecasting, dashboards, and structured business reviews.

Sales Enablement & Operating Discipline

• Create and champion repeatable adoption frameworks, messaging, and distribution playbooks.

• Elevate CRM, analytics, and reporting capabilities to improve visibility, predictability, and decision quality.

• Build training and readiness programs that ensure consistent product fluency across distribution teams.

• Ensure all distribution, connectivity, and partnership activities meet regulatory, fiduciary, and compliance standards.

Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships

• Support the development of multipartner and multiinsurer ecosystems that expand Securian's capabilities and distribution reach.

• Lead the roadmap for recordkeeper and middleware connectivity, driving integrations (e.g., NSCC, APIs, workflow automation) required for scalable adoption.

• Cultivate highvalue partnerships with RIA aggregators, PEP providers, consultants, and retirement technology firms, supported by strong governance and joint business planning.

• Represent Securian within key industry forums to advance thought leadership, contribute to evolving standards, and elevate enterprise reputation.

Enterprise & CrossFunctional Leadership

• Translate enterprise and Solutions Group strategy into disciplined, crossfunctional execution.

• Partner closely with Finance, Legal, Risk, Technology, HR, Investments, Operations, and other enterprise teams to ensure alignment and delivery across a complex matrixed organization.

• Lead and influence enterprisewide strategic programs tied to market expansion, growth initiatives, and ecosystem development.

• Provide continuity of leadership and act as a trusted advisor to senior executives on market dynamics, competitive insights, and partnership opportunities.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Provide leadership, coaching, and performance accountability for teams across distribution and partnerships.

• Build organizational depth, succession readiness, and talent development to support sustained growth.

• Foster a culture of high performance, collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

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. This position requires you to live within in a commutable distance (90 minutes) of our Home Office in St. Paul, MN. 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.

*We will consider candidates at the Director or 2nd-VP level for this role. The title and salary will be determined based on experience and applied skills.

This role offers a competitive total compensation opportunity, including base salary and a meaningful incentive or other variable compensation opportunity.