Director & Actuary

Sammons Financial Group Companies; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 144,000 - 241,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

ESOP

401(k) plan

Fridays off (work–life balance)

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Sammons Financial Group Companies is seeking an experienced actuary to lead corporate actuarial governance, manage audits, and oversee analytics tooling and data processes. You will drive AI initiatives within actuarial workflows, enhance Power BI reporting and Alteryx use, and guide models, assumptions, and financial projections to support informed decisions.

The role requires leadership of a team, collaboration across units, and a strong governance mindset to deliver timely insights to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree preferably in mathematics, or a business related field.
• 8-10 years' experience in actuarial science preferred.
• Experience leading projects and/or supervising work of others preferred.
• Demonstrate strong mathematical ability and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage corporate actuarial governance and controls; serve as primary contact for audits.
• Develop and enhance analytical tools and data processes, including Power BI reporting and Alteryx workflows.
• Support AI initiatives within actuarial functions and processes.
• Develop and review actuarial assumptions for projections; document data sources and methodologies.
• Create and interpret complex financial models and explain results to management.
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure consistent modeling approaches.
• Maintain governance and documentation of processes.

Education

Bachelor's Degree preferably in mathematics, or a business related field

Tools

Power BI

Alteryx

Job description

What You Can Expect In This Role

Responsible for an actuarial function that may support a specific business unit or may support multiple business units. May lead a team of actuaries and/or analysts to develop processes and tools in line with best practices. Provide leadership, oversight, and direction on analysis and documentation, develop recommendations and present to management to drive decisions. Prioritize the team's work, providing technical guidance and reviewing the results. Manage multiple projects and work collaboratively with other departments. Understand Sammons Financial Group (SFG) Member Companies' and business unit financial goals and objectives and deliver results that support those objectives. Lead special projects as directed. Manage corporate actuarial governance and controls processes and serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external audits; drive the continued development of the department’s analytical tools, data processes, and artificial intelligence capabilities.

What You'll Do In This Role

• Manage corporate actuarial governance and controls processes; serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external audits.
• Drive the continued development and enhancement of the department’s analytical tools and data processes, including Power BI reporting and Alteryx workflows, to improve efficiency and support analysis of policyholder behavior.
• Support divisional efforts to advance the use of artificial intelligence within actuarial functions and processes. Apply strong knowledge of SFG products, new business and in-force. Understand new products and make recommendations regarding how to incorporate into existing models and/or actuarial processes.
• Apply strong knowledge of insurance contracts and actuarial related regulations to perform existing functions. Recommend enhancements to existing processes or develop new processes to accommodate regulatory changes. Oversee preparation and review of materials needed to comply with applicable regulations.
• Lead the identification, development and implementation of assumptions needed for actuarial calculations or financial projections. Leverage company data, industry data and/or any other information indicating a potential change in the future to justify recommendations for individual assumptions. Distinguish between best estimate and prudent assumptions. Oversee the use of actuarial models to understand and explain the impact of a change in assumptions. Ensure assumptions and sources of underlying data are well documented.
• Create, understand and interpret complex financial models in line with best practices. Apply judgment over the choice of tools and models through an understanding of limitations and the use of the financial information produced. Maximize efficiencies. Oversee and review analysis and explain the results of both deterministic and stochastic projections. Ensure proper governance, peer review and documentation is completed.
• Leverage knowledge of accounting standards and other reporting requirements covering insurance liabilities and the assets backing liabilities to understand, analyze and explain financial reporting as needed. This includes balance sheets and income statements produced by actuarial models. Understand how model results compare to actual financials results, document and explain any differences that may impact conclusions drawn from the models. Assist in interpreting and implementing changes in accounting and/or actuarial standards.
• Design and develop efficient data systems and oversee analysis of data. Recommend appropriate data analysis techniques given the nature of the analysis needed. Use expertise to advise and challenge multiple data analysis exercises. Use key insights to make recommendations to management. Ensure proper governance and documentation is completed.
• Understand relevant actuarial risks and their underlying drivers. 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 management.
• Manage and lead multiple projects. Effectively plan and prioritize work in accordance with broader department objectives and priorities. Provide technical guidance to the broader team and review their work for accuracy. Develop and manage team of actuaries and/or analysts, and execute performance management responsibilities on a timely basis, if applicable.
• Develop relationships and collaborate with other departments and business units. Collaborate and communicate effectively with other actuarial teams to ensure consistency in modeling approaches and assumptions across actuarial functions.
• Enhance and develop personal and professional skills through the Society of Actuaries’ continuing education requirements. Attending actuarial-related conferences is strongly encouraged.
• 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.
• Strong communication skills necessary to effectively manage governance and audit-related work
• Strong understanding of the importance of governance and control processes
• Strong technical skills to support data processes, including experience building Power BI tools and Alteryx workflows
• Strong analytical capabilities to develop original analytical tools and analyze policyholder behavior

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's Degree preferably in the area of mathematics, or a business related field Required
• 8-10 years' experience in the field of Actuarial Science Preferred
• Experience leading projects and/or supervising work of others Preferred
• Demonstrate a superior level of mathematical ability and attention to detail and strong analytical skills
• Demonstrate strong computer skills including proficiency in the use of applicable technical tools
• Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills including the ability to present highly technical information to non- technical audiences
• Ability to apply insurance industry knowledge, preferably in the fields of individual life and annuities
• Ability to identify and direct the analysis of problems or questions and provide recommendations to appropriate audiences
• Ability to work both individually and as part of a team
• Highly organized with the demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple projects and to switch priorities as necessary
• Ability to work effectively in an office environment
• Commitment to embrace SFG shared values (Respect, Accountability, Integrity, and Openness)
• FSA Will consider near-FSA or actively pursuing completion of FSA or career ASA Preferred

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.

Salary Range Information

USD $144,414.00 - USD $240,690.00 /Yr. Range includes data points from multiple labor markets. Specific range is dependent on the labor market where the incumbent will be hired to perform the position. Starting salary is dependent on candidate qualifications and experience. For a narrower salary range specific to your labor market, please inquire.

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 here.