AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million that helps people turn their goals and dreams into 'Real Possibilities' by changing the way America defines aging. With staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and promote the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare security, financial security and personal fulfillment. AARP also advocates for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world’s largest circulation magazine, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin.
Summary Statement
The Enterprise Strategy and Innovation (ES&I) group informs and guides development of the Enterprise Strategy, fosters innovation, and supports development of external strategic relationships.
This position is a senior member of the ES&I team and is responsible for developing and delivering foresight by evaluating and cultivating a deep understanding of Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental and Political (STEEP) trends that present threats or opportunities for AARP—its value proposition, strategies or operations, thereby identifying the most pressing strategic intelligence needs for the organization via rigorous evaluation of external sources and gathering of internal collective intelligence.
Responsibilities
Directs definition of the competitive landscape for AARP. Regularly articulates, pressure-tests and level-sets critical STEEP trends to ensure an integrated and mutually reinforcing most critical trend set that drives true insight into AARP’s strategy. Continually surveils the competitive landscape with an eye towards markets of interest to AARP—Health, Wealth and Self—while monitoring the landscape for shifts that cut across verticals. Drafts trend statements that are durable and impactful to AARP (i.e. not fads or “shiny objects”).
Synthesizes an overall view of STEEP trends by gathering and analyzing insights to connect large dots and frame the “big picture”. Challenges and validates assumptions by pressure testing implicit and explicit beliefs, exposing blind spots, and cultivating accurate (combating false) perceptions of the current or future environment in which AARP plays. Develops and maintains an independent voice and point of view about the external landscape to mitigate against blind spots.
Frames the current state of affairs, describes and envisions the range of possibilities in that future, supports planning for future direction.
Draws out implications by assessing the velocity of STEEP trends and playing out scenarios based on consequences of those trends specifically for AARP. Does this by deeply understanding the core competencies, assets and business models of AARP. Frames hypotheses regarding potential implications at outset of and during course of analysis both independently and in conjunction with stakeholders.
Supports engagement of critical stakeholders in decisioning and taking action in the face of emerging external realities in order to relentlessly position the organization for success by brining strongest analysis of future trends to the forefront.
Takes lead on identifying and continuously cultivates strong best-in-class sources of trend information that are reliable and credible--qualitative and quantitative, primary and secondary, textual and human; including surfacing best internal collective intelligence on key trends/topics.
Takes lead on establishing a contemporary, best-practice data collection and analysis capability in service of the enterprise strategy and issue areas that anticipates and responds to the challenges of a rapidly changing external environment.
Takes lead on partnering with AARP Research and Thought Leadership to shape points of view and further understanding and implications of the external emergent landscape.
Exercises considerable judgment on each project undertaken to balance competing forces. Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment is critical to moving AARP’s agenda forward.
Requires ability to rapidly yet deeply keep pace with the quickly evolving and VUCA nature of external landscape. Must be able to digest ever increasing and voluminous amount of information with a discerning eye that elevates the most critical insights for AARP.
Requires strong facility with a variety of best-practice analytical frames in order to deeply yet swiftly analyze a variety of different topics, coming up to speed and ensuring comprehensive understanding of new topics.
Requires ability to guide and direct work in close coordination with Enterprise Strategy leadership. Requires ability to discern critical intentions of leadership and translate those intentions effectively.
Requires engaging openly with the real issues facing the organization: confronting reality and aligning leadership behaviors and actions accordingly. To this end it requires ability to influence without authority.
Successfully manages complex and sometimes conflicting relationships among multiple stakeholders.
Represents AARP as appropriate to external audiences and other organizations in such venues as press conferences and professional meetings. Engages with appropriate parts of the organization to coordinate and synchronize outreach.
Requirements
Completion of a Bachelors' degree
Completion of an advanced degree e.g. MBA in business or a related discipline (preferred)
10+ years of progressively more responsible professional experience, including strategy consulting, secondary analysis, and insight development.
Requires strong data analysis capabilities, ability to draw actionable insights from trend analysis, research, networks and experts and demonstrated aptitude for the understanding of the priority and relevance of various intelligence questions to our organization.
Proven analytical and strategic thinking ability to see the big picture from scattered pieces of information; Ability to collect and synthesize complex information, making it relevant, understandable and actionable for key stakeholders.
Ability to influence people and facilitate cooperation of internal and external partners particularly for intelligence gathering.
Strong consultation and client relationship management.
Excellent written communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to balance multiple projects with competing deadlines.
Occasional travel is required.
Benefits Offered
AARP offers competitive benefits with a 401K, 100% company funded pension plan, health, dental, vision and life insurance, STD/LTD, paid vacation and sick, and other benefits.
Equal Employment Opportunity
AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.