Associate Experience & DEI Leader

At Securian Financial, we believe our associates make the difference. We are committed to creating an experience where people feel empowered and supported to make a difference, thrive and succeed as part of the team.

We are looking for a strategic and collaborative leader to build and mature Associate Experience as an enterprise capability at Securian Financial. As a member of the Human Resources Leadership Team, this leader will shape the strategy, structure, measurement and practices that help us understand how associates experience Securian—and turn those insights into meaningful action and continuous improvement.

This is an opportunity to influence the associate experience and DEI at an enterprise level. You will work across HR and the business to understand the moments that matter throughout the associate journey, measure and monitor the experience, and use data to tell a compelling story that drives action. Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are integral to this work, providing an important lens for understanding differences in associate experiences and outcomes and ensuring our Associate Value Proposition is reflected in the everyday experiences of our associates.

What You Will Do

Shape the Associate Experience

• Build and continuously evolve Securian’s enterprise Associate Experience capability, including the strategy, structure, roadmap and practices needed to measure, monitor and continuously improve the experience.
• Develop a holistic view of the associate journey—from attraction and onboarding through development, advancement, transitions and departure—to identify opportunities to strengthen the experience.
• Apply human-centered design, journey mapping and other experience-design approaches to understand associate needs and improve moments that matter.
• Help steward Securian’s Associate Value Proposition by understanding and measuring how it comes to life throughout the associate experience.

Turn Listening and Insights into Action

• Lead Securian’s associate listening and measurement strategy, bringing together enterprise surveys, pulse listening, lifecycle feedback, qualitative research, workforce data and external benchmarks.
• Use workforce and experience data to identify patterns, differences and opportunities across associate populations, translating complex insights into compelling stories and recommendations that influence leaders and drive action.
• Establish meaningful measures and feedback loops to understand progress, identify opportunities and help associates see how their feedback leads to action.
• Partner with Strategic Insights, HR and business leaders to connect associate sentiment and experience to broader organizational priorities and outcomes.

Embed Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

• Integrate diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging as a core lens throughout Securian’s Associate Experience strategy and culture.
• Partner across HR to ensure DEI considerations are incorporated into talent practices, programs and decisions and to identify gaps, potential bias and differences in associate outcomes and experiences.
• Use data and associate insights to understand whether associates are experiencing equitable outcomes and recommend focused actions where opportunities exist.
• Build on Securian’s established DEI foundation by partnering with executive sponsors, the DEI Council and Associate Resource Groups to support governance, strengthen connection and advance enterprise priorities.
• Keep Securian’s approach informed by evolving workforce trends, research and leading practices.

Lead Through Partnership and Influence

• Serve as an active member of the Human Resources Leadership Team, bringing an Associate Experience and DEI perspective to HR strategy, talent practices and enterprise priorities.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on Associate Experience, culture, inclusion and belonging, using insights and data to influence decisions and action.
• Bring associate needs, diverse perspectives and experience implications into enterprise initiatives and decisions.
• Partner across HR, Technology, Facilities, Communications, Customer Experience, Strategic Insights and business teams to turn insights into coordinated action.
• Explore connections between Associate Experience, Customer Experience and business outcomes.
• Influence across organizational boundaries and integrate Associate Experience and DEI considerations into the work of other HR capabilities and enterprise partners through relationships, evidence, thoughtful recommendations and strong business judgment.

Lead the Function

• Lead, develop and inspire the DEI and Associate Experience team, establishing clear priorities and measures of success.
• Oversee applicable affirmative action, equal employment opportunity and regulatory responsibilities in partnership with Legal, Compliance and other internal stakeholders.
• Represent Securian externally, as appropriate, and maintain connections to evolving Associate Experience, culture, DEI and inclusion practices.

What Will Help You Succeed

We are looking for a leader who combines Associate Experience expertise, strategic thinking and a strong data orientation with the ability to turn insights into action. You are comfortable navigating complexity, influencing across organizational boundaries and using data and storytelling to help leaders understand what the associate experience means for talent, culture and the business.

Qualifications include:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in human resources, organizational psychology, business, sociology, behavioral science, analytics or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in Employee/Associate Experience, diversity and inclusion, organizational effectiveness, culture, talent, people analytics or related disciplines, including people leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success building or evolving an Employee/Associate Experience capability, strategy or listening and measurement practice within a complex organization.
• Strong capability in employee research, listening strategy, qualitative methods, workforce analytics and experience measurement.
• Demonstrated ability to use data, associate feedback and external research to uncover insights, tell a compelling story and influence executive-level decisions and organizational action.
• Experience with human-centered design, design thinking, employee journey mapping, service design or related approaches.
• Strong ability to influence and drive action across HR, business and enterprise functions without relying on formal authority.
• Strong communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to make complex insights clear and actionable.
• Sound judgment and the ability to navigate complex or sensitive topics with courage, empathy, curiosity and business acumen.

The Impact You Can Make

This role sits at the intersection of people, culture, insight and business strategy. You will have the opportunity to help shape how associates experience Securian, elevate associate voice in enterprise decisions, strengthen inclusion and belonging, and build the practices that help Securian continue evolving as a place where people can thrive and do their best work.

This position will have a hybrid working arrangement, working in-office for a minimum of 3 days a week. 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. Our policy allows flexibility for the reality of business and personal schedules.

Preferred Skills:

$116,600.00 - $217,300.00

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:

• Environmental Health & Sustainability
• 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 [email protected], by telephone 651-655-5522 (voice), or 711 (Relay/TTY).

Securian Financial is a drug-free workplace.

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