AVP & Actuary - Forecasting and Scenario Analysis

Sammons Financial Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health coverage

Competitive compensation with performance‑based incentives

Company‑funded Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Generous paid time off

Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities

Job summary

Sammons Financial Group in Chicago is seeking an experienced leader to direct an actuarial function that supports various business units. The role involves driving strategic vision to support long-term growth, overseeing high visibility projects, and building a talented team of actuaries.

The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics or Actuarial Science, with at least 10 years of experience in the life insurance and annuity industry. Strong communication and leadership skills are critical for success in this role, as well as the ability to manage risk and drive innovation.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years' experience in the life insurance and annuity industry.
• Minimum 5 years' management experience.
• Ability to develop talent including managers.

Responsibilities

• Lead an actuarial function that supports multiple business units.
• Oversee high visibility projects and provide strategic oversight.
• Build and develop a talented team of actuaries and analysts.

Skills

Leadership

Strong analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Excellent communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics, Business or Actuarial Science

Fellowship from Society of Actuaries (FSA) or Associate (ASA)

Job description

What You Can Expect In This Role

Lead an actuarial function that supports a specific business unit or supports multiple business units. Drive execution of strategic vision that supports Sammons Financial Group Companies (Sammons Financial Group) long‑term growth objectives. Oversee high visibility projects and provide strategic oversight in evaluating internal and external factors that impact team's work. Build and develop a talented team of actuaries and/or analysts to establish processes and tools aligned with best practices. Understand and articulate underlying risks of the team's work. Utilize superior presentation skills to convey technical results to a wide range of audiences, including Senior Leadership.

What You'll Do In This Role

• Provide strategic, forward‑thinking, leadership in support of Sammons Financial Group’s long‑term growth objectives. Establish clear and documented vision for team that is in alignment with the organization’s vision, ensuring projects and team goals are aligned.
• Provide strategic oversight for team, leading with vision to the future. Assume accountability for results produced by team and articulate results to key stakeholders by demonstrating strong communication skills.
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of Sammons Financial Group products and insurance contracts. Maintain strong knowledge of industry issues including economic, regulatory, and competitive. Recommend enhancements to existing products or processes or develop new products and processes to accommodate market changes. Oversee development of materials needed to comply with applicable regulations.
• Lead team to create, understand and interpret complex financial models in line with best practices. Understand and articulate to leaders and key stakeholders, including non‑financial stakeholders, how model results compare to actual financials results and document and articulate differences that impact conclusions drawn from the models. Ensure proper governance, peer review and documentation is completed.
• Lead team to design and develop efficient data systems and oversee analysis of data. Recommend appropriate data analysis techniques given the nature of the analysis needed. Use key insights to make recommendations to management. Ensure proper governance and documentation is completed.
• Build a risk aware culture by ensuring that all employees conduct their daily work and activities with an eye toward risk. Lead development of appropriate methods to monitor, measure and project risk exposure. Understand the implications of failing to manage risk. Provide leadership and direction to team to assist in developing risk mitigation techniques. Prepare and present risk analysis to Enterprise Risk Management.
• Establish a team environment which is quickly adaptable to emerging requirements. Inspire innovation and creative thinking.
• Build and develop a talented team of actuaries and/or analysts. Oversee multiple projects. Effectively plan and prioritize the team’s work in accordance with broader department objectives and priorities. Execute performance management responsibilities on a timely basis.
• Maintain strong relationships and collaborate with other departments and business units. Understand how the work of the team affects others. Proactively collaborate and communicate effectively with both actuarial and non‑actuarial teams. Ensure alignment of priorities and goals.
• Enhance and develop personal and professional skills through the Society of Actuaries’ continuing education requirements. Attend actuarial‑related conferences and bring insights back to team.
• Drive and reinforce commitment to internal controls processes such as those under Model Audit Rule and Record Information Management.
• Commitment to embrace Sammons Financial Group Companies shared values (Accountability, Connection, Openness, Respect and Integrity).
• As stated within the Company Attendance and Punctuality policy, regular attendance is required and expected in order to meet the business service levels and workflow demands.
• Participate in other initiatives and/or projects as necessary.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics, Business or Actuarial Science with a high level of demonstrated mathematical ability Required
• Minimum 10 years' experience in the life insurance and annuity industry Preferred
• Minimum 5 years' management experience with proven ability to develop talent including managers Preferred
• Effective leadership, decision-making and motivational skills
• Strong interpersonal skills for relationship building and engagement
• Excellent oral and written communication skills for all levels of management, including Senior Management
• Strong analytical skills with forward thinking; must demonstrate ability to anticipate and direct the analysis of problems/questions, and provide recommendations to appropriate audiences
• Strong organizational skills with demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple projects and deliver results
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead through change and deliver results by developing and implementing strategy in order to cope with changing business environments
• FSA or career ASA Preferred
• MAAA may be required for specific roles

Other Requirements

• Due to the financial nature and level of accountability of this position, a credit and criminal background check is required - The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires Sammons Financial Group Companies to notify you that, as a routine part of processing this application for employment, Sammons Financial Group may request a consumer report on you to verify all information contained in this application. Such report may include information about work‑related behaviors, performance, character, general reputation, and personal characteristics, in addition to information about your previous employment, education, credit history and criminal records
• If the position is in the SIG business unit, Annuity New Business Securities team, or if we are holding securities licenses, FINRA regulations require fingerprinting for this position; if we are holding securities licenses, a credit check will also be required. Management reserves the right to determine and approve incumbent suitability for this position.

What you can expect when you join Sammons Financial Group

• Comprehensive health coverage for you and your family, including Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA & FSA options, and term life insurance.
• Competitive compensation with a performance‑based incentive program tied to clear goals and individual and/or company success.
• Invest in your future with our 100% company‑funded Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), plus automatic enrollment in our 401(k).
• Work‑life balance that means something. Friday afternoons off year‑round, generous paid time off, and paid holidays.
• Commit to your growth with paid development time, tuition reimbursement, and professional development opportunities across industry, individual, and leadership programs.
• Make an impact beyond the workplace through volunteer time off, and our company nonprofit matching gift program, supporting the causes that matter most to you.
• An ownership culture that inspires; join a connected, values‑driven workplace where employees take accountability, support one another, and are empowered to do their best work—together shaping our future shared success.

Work Authorization/Sponsorship

At this time, we’re not considering candidates that need any type of immigration sponsorship now or in the future or those needing work authorization for this role (This includes, but is not limited to students on F1‑OPT, F1‑CPT, J‑1, etc.).

Additional Information

Sammons Financial Group Is An Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

ADA

Sammons Financial Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the application or hiring process, including navigating our website or applying for a position, please contact [e-mail] or call 800-728-2987.

E‑Verify

Sammons Financial Group participates in E‑Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Policy for External Search Firms and Agencies

Sammons Financial Group maintains an internal Talent Acquisition function and does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from search firms, staffing agencies, or other third‑party recruiting vendors. Please review our Recruitment Agency Policy for additional information.