Operational Excellence Black Belt
Protective Life · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $98,000 / year
- United States
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Subject: Interested in the Operational Excellence Black Belt role at Protective Life
Hi Taylor — I came across the Operational Excellence Black Belt opening and wanted to reach out directly. I've spent the last few years doing exactly this kind of work, and Protective Life stood out because…
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Job highlights
- Lead impactful process improvement initiatives.
- Drive measurable improvements via data analysis.
- Coach and mentor Green Belts.
- Facilitate workshops and training sessions.
- Align projects with business goals.
About the role
About Protective Life
The work we do has an impact on millions of lives, and you can be a part of it. We help protect our customers against life’s uncertainties. Regardless of where you work within the company, you’ll be helping provide protection and peace of mind when our customers need it most.
Job Summary
We are seeking a highly motivated and analytical Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (BB) to lead impactful process improvement initiatives across the organization. This role drives measurable improvements through structured problem solving, data analysis, and cross functional collaboration. The Black Belt will execute complex projects, guide and coach Green Belts, support change initiatives, and help embed a culture of continuous improvement. The ideal candidate is curious, data-driven, and passionate about delivering meaningful business outcomes for customers and employees.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead high-impact Lean Six Sigma projects aligned with strategic business goals.
- Analyze complex data sets to identify root cause and improvement opportunities.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to design and implement scalable solutions.
- Integrate digital tools and analytics into process improvement strategies.
- Facilitate workshops, Kaizen events, and training sessions.
- Influence change management and stakeholder engagement strategies.
- Provide coaching and guidance to Green Belts and team members.
- Model best practices in Lean Six Sigma methodology and structured problem-solving.
- Contribute to the development of improvement capabilities across the organization.
- Deliver training sessions, workshops, and coaching to build foundational Lean and Six Sigma skills.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement by engaging employees at all levels.
- Utilize statistical tools and techniques to analyze data and identify root causes of issues.
- Understanding/Experience with fundamentals of programming and data structures.
- Implement data-driven solutions to improve processes and reduce variability.
- Collaborate with business partners and leaders to align on outcomes and see improvements to completion.
- Communicate findings, recommendations, and progress updates clearly and compellingly.
- Build trust and engagement across functional teams to reinforce continuous improvement momentum.
Qualifications
- 3-5 years leading process improvement efforts.
- Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (preferred).
- Strong track record of successful problem-solving and process improvement work.
- Proven analytical and critical-thinking skills.
- Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder-management abilities.
- Ability to coach and guide others in Lean Six Sigma tools and methodologies.
- Experience in insurance, financial services, or a related industry (preferred).
- Advanced degree in STEM, Business, or related field (preferred).
- Experience working with digital process tools, analytics platforms, or automation technologies (preferred).
Employee Benefits
Protective Life offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee wellbeing, including health, dental, vision insurance, mental health benefits, and an employee assistance program. We value work/life balance with various paid time away benefits and support financial health with a pension plan, 401(k) with company matching, and healthcare account contributions. Employees can also participate in ProHealth Rewards for wellbeing incentives.
Accommodations for Applicants with a Disability
If you require an accommodation to complete the application and recruitment process due to a disability, please email eric.hess@protective.com. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application and recruitment process. Please note that this email is solely for individuals with disabilities requesting an accommodation. General employment questions should not be sent through this process.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to being inclusive and attracting, retaining, and growing an inclusive workforce. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
Salary Range
Protective’s targeted salary range for this position is $76,500 to $120,000. Actual salaries may vary depending on factors, including but not limited to, job location, skills, and experience. This range is just one component of Protective’s total compensation package. This position also offers additional incentive opportunities through an annual incentive based on individual and Company performance.
Key skills/competency
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
- Process Improvement
- Project Management
- Data Analysis
- Problem Solving
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Mentoring
- Change Management
- Continuous Improvement
- Statistical Tools
Skills & topics
- Operational Excellence
- Black Belt
- Lean Six Sigma
- Process Improvement
- Project Management
- Data Analysis
- Problem Solving
- Continuous Improvement
- Change Management
- Coaching
How to get hired
- Research Protective Life's culture: Study their mission, values, recent news, and employee testimonials on LinkedIn and Glassdoor.
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification, 3-5 years of process improvement leadership, and data analysis skills.
- Showcase problem-solving: Use the STAR method to detail your successes in past projects, quantifying results where possible.
- Prepare for behavioral questions: Be ready to discuss your coaching abilities and how you drive change and continuous improvement.
- Understand their benefits: Familiarize yourself with Protective Life's comprehensive employee benefits package.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the salary range for the Operational Excellence Black Belt at Protective Life?
- The targeted salary range for the Operational Excellence Black Belt position at Protective Life is $76,500 to $120,000 annually. Actual compensation may vary based on factors like job location, skills, and experience. This range is part of a total compensation package that includes additional incentive opportunities.
- Is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification required for this role at Protective Life?
- While a Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt is preferred, it is not strictly required. Protective Life values a strong track record of successful problem-solving and process improvement experience, along with analytical and critical-thinking skills.
- What kind of employee benefits does Protective Life offer for an Operational Excellence Black Belt?
- Protective Life provides a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, mental health support, paid time off, parental leave, a pension plan, 401(k) with company match, and wellness rewards through ProHealth Rewards.
- How does Protective Life use AI in its hiring process for an Operational Excellence Black Belt?
- Protective Life may use AI tools to assist in reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, and assessing candidate responses. These tools support the recruitment team but do not replace human judgment, and final hiring decisions are made by humans.
- What is the expected experience level for the Operational Excellence Black Belt role at Protective Life?
- Protective Life is seeking candidates with 3-5 years of experience leading process improvement efforts. A strong track record in problem-solving, analytical thinking, and stakeholder management is also expected.
- Does Protective Life offer accommodations for applicants with disabilities for the Operational Excellence Black Belt position?
- Yes, Protective Life offers accommodations for applicants with disabilities. To request an accommodation for the application and recruitment process, please email eric.hess@protective.com. This information is kept confidential and used solely for accommodation purposes.
- What industries are preferred for the Operational Excellence Black Belt at Protective Life?
- While not mandatory, Protective Life prefers candidates with experience in insurance, financial services, or a related industry for the Operational Excellence Black Belt role.