Director - Life and Annuities Consulting
Willis Towers Watson - Chicago, IL
posted about 1 month ago
About the position
The role involves partnering with senior sellers to identify new business opportunities and drive account proposals. The candidate will lead components of large-scale projects or manage smaller projects to achieve engagement and budget objectives. Building and strengthening industry relationships is key, serving as a trusted advisor and delivering strategic insights and tailored solutions to clients. The position also includes overseeing and guiding junior team members, ensuring high-quality work that conforms with WTW Excellence standards. The candidate will share expertise and strategic insights with colleagues to drive team growth and contribute to overall business development. Mentorship and coaching of junior staff to support their professional development is also a significant aspect of the role. The candidate will conduct thorough peer reviews, lead client communications, contribute to the development of intellectual capital, and support revenue growth by meeting billable hour expectations and identifying new business opportunities. Maintaining professional credentials through SOA Continuing Education requirements is also expected.
Responsibilities
- Partner with senior sellers to identify new business opportunities and drive account proposals
- Lead components of large-scale projects or manage smaller projects to achieve engagement and budget objectives
- Build and strengthen industry relationships by serving as a trusted advisor, delivering strategic insights and tailored solutions to clients
- Oversee and guide junior team members, ensuring high-quality work product which conforms with WTW Excellence standards
- Share expertise and strategic insights with colleagues to drive team growth and contribute to overall business development
- Provide mentorship and coaching to junior staff, supporting their professional development and career advancement
- Conduct thorough peer reviews ensuring high-quality work product which conforms with WTW Excellence standards
- Lead client communications through clear and impactful written and verbal channels, addressing concerns and managing expectations effectively
- Contribute to the development of intellectual capital to strengthen our service offerings through research, publication of articles, participation in industry events and WTW webinars, podcasts, etc.
- Support revenue growth by meeting billable hour expectations and identifying and generating new business both individually and as part of broader client relationship management teams
- Maintain professional credentials by completing SOA Continuing Education (CE) requirements
Requirements
- Minimum 10 years of experience in an actuarial role at a life insurance company, consulting firm, or financial services organization
- Deep expertise in ALM, financial risk management, life and annuity product design, and financial modeling
- Excellent and demonstrated oral and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey findings, recommendations, and work products to clients, peers, and junior team members
- Proven ability to translate complex technical concepts for both technical and non-technical audience
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across different disciplines and work styles, with a willingness to share knowledge
- Proven leadership experience in managing and directing teams with varying levels of experience
- Strong technical proficiency, with ability to direct and review work produced in at least one of: Microsoft Excel with VBA, SQL, Python, or R
- Expertise in financial modeling and leading projects utilizing actuarial software (GGY AXIS, Risk Agility, MG-ALFA, Moses, Prophet, Slope, and/or Polysystems) is a plus
- Expertise in at least one specific life insurance and/or annuity product line
- Expertise in at least one of the following functional areas as applied to the life insurance industry: predictive analytics / data science, experience studies, financial reporting, financial modeling, mergers & acquisitions, product development / pricing and risk management
- Self-motivated, proactive learner with a passion for driving new developments
- Ability and willingness to coach and mentor junior colleagues and foster their professional growth
- Skill in developing and articulating engagement strategies, translating them into actionable project plans that align client and WTW objectives
- Prior experience in client-facing consulting or business development is a plus
- Strong multitasking abilities, effectively managing multiple projects and clients while providing timely updates on project status and deliverables
- Flexibility to put in extra effort to meet client deadlines when necessary
- FSA or equivalent credential (e.g., FIA)
Nice-to-haves
- Expertise in financial modeling and leading projects utilizing actuarial software (GGY AXIS, Risk Agility, MG-ALFA, Moses, Prophet, Slope, and/or Polysystems)
- Prior experience in client-facing consulting or business development
Benefits
- Health and Welfare Benefits: Medical (including prescription coverage), Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account, Commuter Account, Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Group Accident, Group Critical Illness, Life Insurance, AD&D, Group Legal, Identify Theft Protection, Wellbeing Program and Work/Life Resources (including Employee Assistance Program)
- Leave Benefits: Paid Holidays, Annual Paid Time Off (includes paid state/local paid leave where required), Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Other Leaves (e.g., Bereavement, FMLA, ADA, Jury Duty, Military Leave, and Parental and Adoption Leave), Paid Time Off (Washington State only)
- Retirement Benefits: Contributory Pension Plan and Savings Plan (401k)
