Competitive Intelligence Specialist

American Equity•Des Moines, IA

About The Position

American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company is a leading provider of annuity solutions designed to help clients protect and grow retirement income. Part of Brookfield Wealth Solutions, we partner with more than 40,000 financial professionals and help fund over half a million retirements nationwide. Recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Most Trustworthy Companies and named a Top Workplace in Iowa, American Equity fosters a collaborative and purpose-driven culture where employees are empowered to ignite their passion and help shape the future of financial services. Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, with satellite offices in Charlotte, NC and New York, NY, American Equity provides opportunities for employees to support work across the enterprise, including our sister company, American National, headquartered in Houston, Texas. GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE JOB: The Competitive Intelligence Specialist supports Distribution leadership and Sales teams by providing in-depth product positioning and partner analysis for the Bank/Broker Dealer distribution channel. The role is responsible for monitoring and compiling information about competitor products, pricing, and marketing activity to support product positioning. This position primarily supports Distribution, but also supports other areas including, but not limited to, Marketing, Product, and Operations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university in business or related field of study; plus, two (2) or more years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
In depth understanding of insurance business; specifically, annuities.
Excellent analytical, written, and oral communication skills.
Ability to take ownership and drive key initiatives.
Strategic/creative thinker.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions.
Strong customer service orientation.
Mathematical skills and strong attention to detail.
Ability to work cooperatively and successfully with employees, customers, and other third parties.
Strong organizational and planning skills.
Advanced knowledge and command of Microsoft Excel and database systems.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals and technical/operational procedures.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to successfully handle pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment.

Responsibilities

Analyzes competitor products features and attributes as well as monitoring for changes, such as rate updates, new product/features, and other changes to determine impact to distribution.
Monitor distributor and carrier relationships across channels, maintaining an active list of carriers and products among the top 20 partners and prospects.
Maintains extensive knowledge of the performance of our FIA indices versus competitor indices and updates account managers and wholesalers monthly.
Maintain a library of positioning information on each competitor by compiling materials, competitor websites, and general news/ratings.
Answers competitive and case design questions related to book-of-business reviews from wholesalers.
Maintains non-product related information of top carrier competitors including internal sales, external sales, and national accounts staffing models as well as technology tools and advanced planning resources.
Supports product initiatives via pre-launch analysis that may include, but not limited to: Data analysis/compilation, competitive research on like features, and related marketing material compilation.
Helps develop training for new employees and current employees regarding our products and our competition.
Identify emerging market opportunities and threats.
Performs other related work as assigned.