Actuary, Modeling at EquiTrust Life Insurance Company in West Des Moines, IA

Job description

• Posting Title: Actuary
• Location: West Des Moines, Iowa (Mostly On-Site)
• Employment Type: Full-time
• 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.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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

Requirements

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

Skills

Preferred

• MG-ALFA experience strongly preferred

Benefits

• 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