Senior Manager of Process Excellence

*At Securian Financial the internal title for this position is Business Operations Sr. Manager.

Overview:

Are you passionate about driving enterprise-wide transformation and empowering teams to deliver measurable business outcomes? Securian Financial Group is seeking a dynamic Senior Manager of Process Excellence to lead a high-performing team of consultants and analysts focused on process improvement and knowledge management. This strategic leadership role is pivotal in shaping operational capabilities, fostering innovation, and aligning initiatives with organizational priorities.

You'll oversee a team of 10 professionals who serve as trusted partners across the Enterprise and Operations division, delivering tools, best practices, and project support that accelerate progress and enhance quality. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy solving complex problems, and excel at building strong stakeholder relationships-this is the opportunity for you.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead and coach a team of consultants and analysts supporting enterprise-wide process improvement (PI) and knowledge management (KM) initiatives.

• Drive accountability and recognition for delivering business value and fostering a culture of trusted partnership.

• Manage intake and resourcing for PI and KM projects, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and measurable outcomes.

• Build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships across solution groups to assess emerging needs, gather feedback, and ensure project success.

• Initiate and follow through on project charters, ensuring clarity of objectives and deliverables.

• Evaluate and experiment with operational capabilities, including tools that support process measurement, service design, and quality improvement.

• Represent the team on Enterprise committees, contributing research and strategic insights.

• Serve as a peer advisor to senior leaders on sensitive or complex process improvement challenges.

Qualifications:

• Proven leadership experience (LOP experience preferred).

• Background in process improvement (Black Belt certification preferred).

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.

• Excellent relationship management and communication abilities.

• Strategic thinker with a continuous improvement mindset.

• Demonstrated ability to motivate and develop staff in a fast-paced environment.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for engaging with executives and associates.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading cross-functional teams in enterprise transformation initiatives.

• Familiarity with knowledge management systems and methodologies.

• Exposure to service design and operational capability development.

• Ability to influence and advise senior leadership on strategic process improvement.

• Prior involvement in enterprise committees or councils focused on risk, transformation, or operational excellence.

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.