What are the responsibilities and job description for the Head of Technology Governance position at Guardian Life Insurance Company?
Overview
The Head of Technology Governance will lead the design, implementation, and oversight of enterprise-wide technology governance frameworks, ensuring that all technology initiatives-including innovation, architecture, cybersecurity, and risk-align with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices. This role manages cross-functional governance councils and bodies such as the Innovation Council, Architecture Review Board, IT Security Committee, and CyberRisk Council, driving strategic alignment, operational excellence, and risk mitigation across the technology landscape.
Key Responsibilities
Governance Leadership & Strategy
- Develop, implement, and continuously improve the enterprise technology governance framework, policies, and standards to support business strategy, technology modernization and AI transformation.
- Chair and coordinate governance bodies, including the Innovation Council, Architecture Review Board, IT Security Committee, and CyberRisk Council, ensuring effective decision-making, prioritization, and execution of technology initiatives
- Ensure governance supports business outcomes – enabling faster decision making while managing risk and compliance.
- Advise executive leadership on technology trends, risk posture, and governance best practices; act as a key liaison to regulators and auditors during reviews and exams
- Lead regular meetings of governance councils, set agendas, and ensure transparent communication and documentation of decisions and actions
- Oversee the review and approval of major technology investments, architectural standards, and security controls, ensuring alignment with business and compliance objectives
AI-enabled Governance and Automation
- Lead the design and deployment and of AI and analytics driven governance models (e.g. automated policy checks, pattern validation)
- Build reporting / dashboards for technology governance, compliance.
- Introduce predictive insights for early detection of risk, duplication and technical debt.
Risk, Compliance & Security Management
- Ensure technology and cyber risks are proactively identified, assessed, managed, and reported in accordance with internal policies and external regulations (e.g., NIST, ISO, NYDFS)
- Maintain and enhance technology risk policies, risk appetite statements, and key risk indicators; monitor breaches and escalate exceptions as needed
- Oversee the execution of risk assessments, control self-assessments, and continuous monitoring programs across all technology domains
Policy, Standards & Architecture Governance
- Approve and enforce changes in IT policies, standards, and procedures, including architectural and security frameworks
- Guide the Architecture Review Board in evaluating solution designs for consistency, interoperability, and alignment with enterprise standards
- Ensure governance processes support innovation while maintaining compliance, security, and operational resilience
Performance, Value & Resource Management
- Develop and report on governance metrics, project progress, and portfolio health to executive leadership and governance bodies
- Optimize technology investments by evaluating proposals for business value, risk, and strategic fit
- Manage the governance function’s budget and resource allocation, ensuring efficient support for all governance activities
You have: (Qualifications):
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business, or related field.
- 12 years of progressive experience in technology governance, enterprise architecture or technology strategy within complex, regulated industries preferably within financial services or insurance
- Demonstrated experience managing enterprise governance councils, architecture review boards, and IT risk/security committees
- Deep understanding of regulatory frameworks (NIST, ISO) and technology risk management best practices
- Strong leadership, facilitation, and communication skills, with the ability to influence and drive consensus among diverse stakeholders
- Experience engaging with executive leadership, regulators, and auditors.
- Strategic mindset with a track record of linking governance to business outcomes and digital transformation
Location
- Three days a week at our Guardian Office in New York, NY, Holmdel, NJ or Bethlehem, PA
Salary Range:
$148,940.00 - $244,685.00
The salary range reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary location of the position. The salary for this position ultimately will be determined based on the education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate. In addition to salary, this role may also be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation.
Our Promise
At Guardian, you’ll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals. Through skill-building, leadership development and philanthropic opportunities, we provide opportunities to build communities and grow your career, surrounded by diverse colleagues with high ethical standards.
Inspire Well-Being
As part of Guardian’s Purpose – to inspire well-being – we are committed to offering contemporary, supportive, flexible, and inclusive benefits and resources to our colleagues. Explore our company benefits at
www.guardianlife.com/careers/corporate/benefits
. Benefits apply to full-time eligible employees. Interns are not eligible for most Company benefits.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Guardian is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law.
Accommodations
Guardian is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. Guardian also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants (and employees) to accommodate the individual's known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact
applicant_accommodation@glic.com
.
Current Guardian Colleagues: Please apply through the internal Jobs Hub in Workday.
Salary : $148,940 - $244,685
