Sr. Advisor, Financial Security

Sr. Advisor, Financial Security

SUMMARY STATEMENT:

Working with the Vice President, My Financial Security Portfolio, the Senior Advisor – My Financial Security Portfolio defines strategic priorities for components of AARP’s integrated portfolio of Financial Security programs, education and information resources, advocacy initiatives, and product and service offerings.  This position recommends AARP’s long-term and short-term goals and strategies, as well as annual outcomes and dashboard measures, for components of the My Financial Security portfolio to meet identified needs and wants of 50+ Americans consistent with AARP’s strategic priorities.  The current areas of focus for this portfolio include:

• Stretching My Money
• Retirement Security
• Protecting My Assets

This position is also responsible for monitoring, tracking and evaluating the achievement of annual and multi-year outcomes developed for this portfolio and serving as a Financial Security information resource to internal and external audiences.

TASKS:

Working with the Vice President, the Senior Advisor will:

• Manage a cross-functional team integrating their insights, strategic thinking and capabilities to develop the My Financial Security portfolio plan, which represents AARP’s integrated suite of offerings designed to meet the needs of Americans 50+.
• Drive AARP’s My Financial Security portfolio plan development by:

–        Managing and executing specific activities and initiatives of the portfolio planning process through matrix management

–        Aggregating data, research and insights from research units and segmentation group

–        Defining priority outcomes and attendant performance metrics as well as dashboard measures for components of the portfolio work

–        Reviewing existing initiatives/conducting gap assessment

–        Understanding and responding to trends – marketplace, policy, social, and economic that impact AARP’s ability to deliver on our social mission and relevance to the 50+ on Financial Security issues

–        Embedding innovation and thought leadership in portfolio plan design

–        Working with functional units during planning hand-off to ensure that all outcomes are positioned for implementation

–        Providing support and facilitation during planning to achieve necessary results

–        Assisting VP and other staff in development and preparation of board materials

• Monitor alignment of work and track achievement of portfolio outcomes by functional units and recommend necessary course corrections throughout the year to maximize outcome plan success.  Through functional unit relationships and data analysis, track outcome progress and support quarterly update meetings to ensure that implementation is on track, proactively alerting VP to issues.
• Drive success for components of the portfolio through pro-active leadership over strategy formulation, engaged monitoring of implementation and results, mediation and – when appropriate – constructive escalation to the VP, My Financial Security Portfolio to resolve differences and empower staff across the enterprise to enable successful execution.
• Provide strategic advice, counsel and information to the Vice President, My Financial Security portfolio, regarding determination of portfolio priorities and related aspects of planning and performance management and oversight.
• Support or lead strategic innovation projects and matrix-managed teams to ensure the portfolio continues to expand AARP’s capacity to address the priority wants and needs of 50+ Americans and to support AARP’s strategic priorities.
• Occasionally be asked to report to senior management the status of work and  progress on achievement of outcomes
• Be a My Financial Security portfolio resource with respect to prescribed components of the portfolio

–        Raise awareness/educate on portfolio content

–        Develop and contribute to thought leader strategy  to ensure portfolio staff and team understanding of key issues and trends.  Develop and lead thought leadership projects with financial security cross functional team in order to build understanding of key issues and trends.

–        Maintain and provide expertise on issues relevant to the portfolio

–        Occasionally be asked to represent AARP externally, providing information and communicating AARP’s strategic direction on financial security issues

–        Support the Vice President to serve as the point person internally and externally, related to the My Financial Security Portfolio by monitoring issues and trends around designated areas and providing updates and insights

• Model One AARP attributes and behaviors in all interactions

 Critical Competencies for this position:

• Adaptability
• Building Trust
• Facilitating Change
• Coaching
• Establishing Strategic Direction
• Decision making
• Empowering Others
• Execution
• Matrix Management
• Mobilizing Resources
• Reading the Environment
• Team Development
• Leading Through Vision and Values
• Continuous learning; external orientation
• Innovation
• Building strategic working relationships; negotiation
• Aligning performance for success; results/impact oriented
• Cultural competency

REQUIREMENTS:

Completion of a Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline, such as Law, Public Policy, Business Administration or the portfolio subject area and 5-10 years of experience in progressively responsible positions; or an equivalent combination of training and experience related to the duties of the position.  Advanced degree is preferred. 

• A strong commitment to the “One AARP” initiative and expertise in the subject area.
• Demonstrated ability to work with others through coaching, leadership, and building trust.  Ability to persuade, to negotiate, and to otherwise work effectively with others to gain respect and to build commitment to organizational goals.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic programs across complex organizational structures.
• Ability to establish and track organizational success metrics.
• Ability to analyze data, to prepare concise summaries, and to provide sound recommendations related to extremely complex issues.
• Excellent interpersonal, communications, and writing skills

HOW TO APPLY:

Qualified applicants are invited to apply on-line. Position posted under “All Available Positions".