Lead Specialist, Financial Analysis - Consolidated Expense Management

Transamerica•Cedar Rapids, IA

2d•$128,000 - $170,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This senior level role provides direct analytical, operational, and strategic support to the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) while serving as the central consolidation lead for enterprise wide expense reporting. Operating within Corporate Finance FP&A, this role ensures the CIO’s office receives high quality insight, forward looking projections, and strategic decision support while also driving disciplined, accurate, and timely expense consolidation across all business units. The ideal candidate brings exceptional financial acumen, advanced technical and analytical capability, strong understanding of insurance and investment operations, and the ability to effectively communicate complex financial information to senior executives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, or equivalent experience
Ten years of financial analysis experience, including work in the insurance, financial services or investment management industry
Expense Management Expertise: Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and tracking expenses on a run, grow, and transform basis.
Insurance Industry Financial Acumen: Understanding of Statutory and GAAP accounting principles, expense treatment, and impacts to capital.
Investment Operations & Finance Knowledge: Familiarity with portfolio management concepts and how expenses (direct and allocated) support the Investment organization.
Executive Presence: Ability to clearly communicate with senior leaders; strong experience preparing materials for leadership meetings and committees.
Advanced Data Analysis Skills: Expertise with Excel and Power BI; ability to build dashboards and models for senior leaders.
Technology & Systems Experience: Prior experience with Oracle, data visualization tools, enterprise data repositories, and IBOR investment systems.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting an Investment Office, Asset Management, Treasury, or comparable financial function.
Experience in insurance, annuities, or broader financial services.
MBA, CPA, CFA, or similar advanced credentials.
Experience with financial systems transformation, forecasting redesign, or modernization.
Experience with Anaplan and Essbase

Responsibilities

Support the Chief Investment Officer: Serve as the primary financial and analytical partner to the CIO, providing reporting, insights, and decision support for Investment Office operations.
Develop scenario models, forward‑looking projections, and earnings‑impact analyses related to investment operations and long‑term strategy.
Maintain deep understanding of CIO‑related expense drivers, headcount, technology spend, vendor costs, and allocated expenses.
Prepare executive‑level content and messaging that translates complex data into clear, actionable insights.
Report on Consolidated Transamerica Expenses: Own the monthly enterprise expense consolidation process across all business units.
Build and maintain a consistent expense classification framework (controllable vs. non‑controllable; fixed vs. variable).
Deliver consolidated expense analysis for Monthly Business Reviews (MBR) and Quarterly Business Reviews (QBR).
Partner with FP&A and business finance teams to ensure alignment of reporting standards, methodologies, and accuracy.
Enhance Enterprise Insights & Forward-Looking Capabilities: Provide enterprise‑level risk and opportunity analyses across Operating Expense.
Develop forecasting tools and dashboards that increase transparency and support senior‑level decision making.

Benefits

Compensation
Benefits
Competitive Pay
Bonus for Eligible Employees
Benefits Package
Pension Plan
401k Match
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Tuition Reimbursement
Disability Insurance
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Employee Discounts
Career Training & Development Opportunities
Health and Work/Life Balance Benefits
Paid Time Off starting at 160 hours annually for employees in their first year of service.
Ten (10) paid holidays per year (typically mirroring the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) holidays).
Be Well Company holistic wellness program, which includes Wellness Coaching and Reward Dollars
Parental Leave – fifteen (15) days of paid parental leave per calendar year to eligible employees with at least one year of service at the time of birth, placement of an adopted child, or placement of a foster care child.
Adoption Assistance
Employee Assistance Program
Back-Up Care Program
PTO for Volunteer Hours
Employee Matching Gifts Program
Employee Resource Groups
Inclusion and Diversity Programs
Employee Recognition Program
Referral Bonus Programs