Director of Planning & Analysis - Western & Southern Financial Group

Overview:

The position will collaborate with Finance, Agency and Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Leadership to develop strategies, tactics and initiatives to help Gerber Life successfully grow its premium stream in an economically viable manner. The person will quantify the impact of the strategies, tactics and initiatives while developing both the Operating Plan and longer term Strategic Plans for Sales, First Year Premium, Renewal Premium and Total Premium. Key assumptions include: Applications, Issues, Policies, Issue Rates, Conversion Rates, Premium per Policy, 1st Year Lapse Rates, Retention Rates and associated Timing Curves. The position will develop unique plans for both Agency and DTC distribution channels. A roll-up for the enterprise will also be provided. The position will generate reports and conduct analysis on monthly, quarterly and YE schedules. Analysis will typically focus on variances to Plan and Year-over-Year (YOY) changes. Additionally, ad hoc reports and analysis will be completed for both internal and external stakeholders. Participation in audits (such as the quarterly DTC Deferred Spend analysis) requires strict attention to detail and adherence to time commitments. The person must love numbers, have great attention to detail, a passion for accuracy and strong documentation skills.

Responsibilities:

• Planning and Forecasting - Collaborate with Finance and Marketing Leadership and the greater team to devise growth strategies for all products and both distribution channels (DTC and Agency). Support the development of forecasts of key marketing transactions (Applications, Issues and Policies) for both Agency and DTC. Understand current performance of Marketing programs and campaigns while overlaying the expected contributions of new tactics and initiatives. Monitor new programs for performance and timing. Also, collaborate with the Agency and DTC teams to project Average Face Amounts and expected Premium per Policy. Utilize Policy and Premium per Policy projections to forecast Sales and First Year premium. Additionally, forecast Renewal premium; First Year and Renewal premium are combined to yield Total premium. Develop the Operating Plan with monthly detail by Product for both Agency and DTC; additionally provide a roll-up for the enterprise. Compare forecasts against financial goals, prior plans, historical results and current trends. Create longer term Strategic Plans leveraging new assumptions and historical trends. Understand current performance of Marketing programs and campaigns while overlaying the expected contributions of the new tactics and initiatives as forecasts are developed. Understand the inter-connectivity of different programs and campaigns and their KPIs. Key assumptions include: Policies, Average Premium per Policy, 1st Year Lapse Rates, Retention Rates, Seasonality and Timing Curves. Secure alignment with Senior Leadership. Multiple scenarios are often developed (e.g., "conservative", "best call', "stretch", etc.) The frequency and timing of forecasts are driven by company planning cycles.
• Reporting and Analysis - Conduct variance analysis against forecasts and compare results to performance from from One Year Ago (and other time periods). Reporting and analysis is conducted for both the Agency and DTC distribution channels; a consolidated roll-up is also provided. Understand why variances and YOY changes have occurred. Create templates/dashboards and distribute results throughout the organization. Tailor reports to audiences. Expand reports and analysis as dynamic nature of our business continues to evolve. Obtain data from company systems (e.g., Cognos, Crystal and Excel archives) while proofing data for accuracy and consistency. Leverage the learnings associated with variances and YOY changes to recommend alternatives to improve business performance. Results and analysis are provided throughout the organization including senior management. Assist in developing annual plan presentation materials. Understand and utilize accounting guidelines, such as in the quarterly documentation of DAC-able DTC Marketing spend.
• Support organization by fulfilling data requests and conducting ad hoc analysis - Fulfills ad hoc data requests, conducts associated analysis and supports audit activity whenever required. Collaborates with departments across Gerber Life. Ad hoc requests are often time sensitive and come from both internal and external stakeholders. External stakeholders include: Western and Southern, State of New York, LIMRA, auditors and others.
• Improve organization effectiveness by identifying gaps (and inconsistencies) in data; creates tools and develops new reports - Identifies gaps, inconsistencies and errors in current practices of reporting and analysis; innovatively devises solutions and collaborates with partners to implement solutions. Develops new Excel spreadsheets. Partners with IT to create new Cognos templates.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Complies with all policies and standards

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree In statistics, economics, finance, accounting or business administration(Required)
• Advanced degree in finance or MBA(Preferred)
• 5-8 years of experience within insurance or financial services industry (Preferred)
• 5-8 years of finance and cost accounting (Required)
• Outstanding analytical skills with an extreme attention to detail and a passion for accuracy are required for the development of business plans, forecasts and associated analysis.
• Strong business acumen with understanding of the insurance industry are needed as a foundation to the mechanics of forecasting first year and renewal premium.
• Outstanding business aptitude, proficient in statistics.
• Ability to work at times as an individual and at times within a team environment.
• Quick learner and fast adaptor.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Intermediate/advanced PowerPoint skills.
• Strong quantitative and communication skills.
• Familiarity with Cognos is a plus

Physical and Environmental Requirements

• Works in an office setting and remains in a stationary position for long periods of time while working at a desk, on a computer or with other standard office equipment, or while in meetings.
• Requires the ability to verbally communicate and exchange accurate information to customers and associates on a regular basis.
• Requires visual acuity to read and interpret a variety of correspondence, procedures, reports and forms via paper and electronic documents, visual inspection involving small defects; small parts, and/or operation of machinery (including inspection); using measurement devices continuously. Visual acuity is required to determine accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work assigned.
• Requires the ability to prepare written correspondence, reports and forms using prescribed formats and conforming to rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style on a regular basis.
• Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Performs substantial movement of wrists, hands, and fingers for continuous computer work.
• Extended hours required during peak workloads or special projects/events.

Note: Posted Hiring Salary Range:156,400-195,500