Actuary

EquiTrust; West Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with Company Match

Paid time off

Paid Parental Leave

Hybrid/Remote Work Options

Early Friday Closure

Job summary

EquiTrust is seeking a senior Actuary for West Des Moines, IA to lead actuarial modeling within Corporate Actuarial, guiding a team and ensuring governance of models. You will drive development, testing, and integration of products with regulatory requirements, partnering with Investments, Finance, Risk, and other stakeholders to deliver robust modeling solutions.

A strong leadership track record, FSA, and 7+ years of actuarial experience in life insurance are required; MG-ALFA experience is

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science or related field.
• Minimum 7 years actuarial experience.
• At least 5 years in life insurance and fixed indexed annuities.
• FSA required.
• Strong modeling, governance, and testing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of actuarial professionals through coaching, performance management, and development.
• Provide technical leadership on model design, governance, and implementation practices.
• Oversee maintenance, enhancement, testing, and governance of corporate models.
• Integrate new products, regulatory requirements, and business initiatives into models.
• Support robust model development, documentation, governance, and change management processes.
• Collaborate with Investments, Finance, Accounting, Risk and other stakeholders.

Skills

Actuarial modeling

Leadership

Communication

Analytical thinking

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Data Analytics, or related field

Tools

MG-ALFA

SQL

Python

VBA

Job description

West Des Moines 7100 West
West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA

Description

Posting Title: Actuary
Location: West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA

About Us:
EquiTrust Life Insurance Company is a national carrier of competitive, client-friendly annuity products sold through a variety of distribution channels, including more than 20,000 independent agents and independent marketing organizations (IMOs). Since 2003, we have provided exceptional customer service to our clients by operating with integrity and passion. Our efforts are supported by a dedicated workforce who execute their responsibilities through teamwork and an entrepreneurial spirit. EquiTrust sells products nationwide and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with operations in West Des Moines, Iowa.

How You’ll Contribute:

As an Actuary, you will lead key actuarial modeling initiatives within Corporate Actuarial, overseeing actuarial professionals and driving the maintenance, enhancement, testing, and governance of actuarial models. In this role, you will provide technical leadership to the actuarial modeling team, oversee model development activities, support the integration of new products and regulatory requirements, and partner closely with stakeholders across the organization to deliver high-quality modeling solutions. We are seeking a collaborative actuarial leader who brings strong technical expertise, sound judgment, and a passion for continuous improvement.

What You’ll Do:

Lead and develop a team of actuarial professionals through coaching, performance management, work prioritization, and professional development

Serve as a senior technical resource for the actuarial modeling team, providing guidance on model design, governance, and implementation practices

Lead key actuarial modeling initiatives and oversee the maintenance, enhancement, testing, and governance of corporate actuarial models

• Oversee and support the integration of new products, regulatory requirements, and business initiatives into corporate actuarial models
• Support robust model development, documentation, governance, and change management processes
• Enhance testing processes, from unit testing through user acceptance testing, to ensure accurate and timely model updates
• Validate actuarial models and analyze model results for reasonableness, accuracy, and consistency
• Identify opportunities to automate processes, improve analytics, and strengthen controls using sound actuarial practices
• Assess current modeling methodologies and provide effective challenge to assumptions, techniques, and processes
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with Investments, Finance, Accounting, Risk, model user groups, and other stakeholders across the organization
• Support internal and external audits, regulatory reviews, and other actuarial initiatives as needed

Foster a positive, inclusive team environment aligned with EquiTrust's core values

What You’ll Bring:

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Data Analytics, or related field

Experience:

Minimum 7 years of actuarial experience

At least 5 years of experience with life insurance and fixed indexed annuity products

• Significant experience with actuarial modeling systems and model development practices

Supervisory or leadership experience preferred

• FSA required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Advanced actuarial and quantitative modeling expertise

Strong actuarial modeling experience required; MG-ALFA experience strongly preferred

Experience with model development, maintenance, testing, validation, and governance practices

• Understanding of statutory and tax reserving, cash flow testing, and ALM principles
• Programming or scripting experience (e.g., VBA, SQL, Python) preferred
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex concepts clearly to technical and non-technical audiences
• Ability to build strong partnerships across departments and effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines in a dynamic environment

Commitment to ethical standards, accountability, and collaborative teamwork

Physical Requirements:

Primarily seated work with continuous use of hands for fine manipulation (computer work)

Frequent sitting; occasional standing, walking, bending, and reaching

Ability to lift up to 20 pounds occasionally

Ability to communicate effectively (talk/hear) and maintain sustained visual focus

Moderate stress levels consistent with leadership responsibilities

Where You’ll Work:

• Work Arrangements: Mostly On-Site
• Travel Requirements: Infrequent travel (less than 5%)

Total Rewards:
In addition to base pay, eligible employees may receive an annual discretionary incentive bonus and access to a competitive benefits package including:

• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid time off: Vacation, Sick, Holiday, and more
• Paid Parental Leave for both Mothers and Fathers
• Hybrid/Remote Work Options
• Early Friday Closure

EquiTrust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in the U.S. Federal E-Verify program. Applicants have rights under federal and state employment laws. To learn more, visit EquiTrust Careers .