AVP, Finance Implementation

Athene•West Des Moines, IA

About The Position

Athene is seeking an Associate Vice President, Finance Implementation to serve as a key hands-on execution partner embedded within the Corporate Controller organization. Reporting to the VP of Finance Implementation, the AVP will own the execution of Controller-sponsored initiatives from problem definition through implementation, adoption, stabilization, and transition to business ownership. The role will work directly with Controllership leaders and process owners to diagnose processes at the transaction level and partner with the Finance Transformation Office, Technology, and other teams to deliver sustainable solutions that strengthen operations while maintaining accounting accuracy, reporting integrity, auditability, and strong control outcomes.

Requirements

8+ years of relevant professional experience preferred in accounting, finance, finance technology, process implementation, or strategic transformation; including 4+ years of formal or informal leadership preferred.
Demonstrated success leading complex Finance or Controllership initiatives from concept through implementation and sustained adoption, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive outcomes across functions.
Strong understanding of Controllership processes, financial data, reporting, internal controls, and audit requirements, with the ability to connect business processes, data, controls, and technology when developing solutions.
Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills with a bias for action, adaptability, and an innovation mindset; demonstrated ability to leverage automation, analytics, or AI-enabled tools within finance processes.
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related discipline; advanced degree or relevant professional certification preferred.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Python- and AWS-based environments is preferred.
Insurance or financial services experience preferred, particularly within complex, multi-entity, multi-jurisdiction, or multi-basis financial reporting environments; ability to travel periodically as business needs require.

Responsibilities

Lead the execution of strategic Controllership initiatives from current-state assessment through implementation, adoption, stabilization, and transition to sustainable business ownership.
Diagnose complex processes at the transaction level, evaluating data, data flows, controls, and technology to identify root causes, risks, and opportunities for simplification and automation.
Design scalable future-state solutions that leverage technology, data, automation, and AI-enabled tools to reduce manual effort and improve accuracy, transparency, controls, and operational resilience.
Translate accounting, reporting, operational, and control needs into actionable requirements and success measures, partnering across the Finance Transformation Office, Technology, and other teams to deliver results.
Establish sustainable process ownership, documentation, governance, metrics, and support models while ensuring broader initiatives appropriately address downstream accounting, reporting, and control impacts.
Lead with an ownership mindset and Athene's BEAM values, empowering others, developing talent, encouraging innovation and calculated risk-taking, and promoting an inclusive, risk-aware culture.