Lead Specialist, Financial Analysis - Expense Management

Transamerica•Cedar Rapids, IA

2d•$128,000 - $170,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This senior-level role serves as the dedicated Distribution expense leader, serving in support of the Company’s Distribution leadership team while operating from within the Corporate Finance FP&A Expense function. This leader will shape and execute Distribution expense strategy, define and manage key levers impacting earnings, and deliver insights and foresight that support running, growing, and transforming the business. The position combines advanced financial analysis expertise, strategic advisory capability, and disciplined operational execution.

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
Strong understanding of controllability, cost structures, ROI methodologies, and driver-based forecasting
Demonstrated experience advising senior executives and influencing strategic decisions
Exceptional analytical, problem solving, and data storytelling skills
Ability to operate with independence, sound judgment, and strategic mindset
Advanced Excel and financial systems capability; comfort with building models
Excellent written/oral communication and presentation skills

Nice To Haves

Experience within insurance, annuities, or financial services
Prior Distribution, Sales support, or field-facing financial experience
MBA, CPA, CFA, or similar advanced certification
Experience leading OpEx transformation, zero-based budgeting, or large-scale process redesign

Responsibilities

Define and operationalize expense levers
Clearly define and maintain an enterprise-aligned framework for Controllable vs. Non-Controllable and Fixed vs. Variable expense categories
Translate these definitions into management action levers to defend or grow earnings
Partner with Distribution leadership to embed this framework into planning and decision cycles
Build and manage a portfolio of risks and opportunities
Proactively identify, quantify, and track risks and opportunities across Distribution OpEx
Actively lead the development of new opportunities, informed by business strategy and operational insights
Partner cross-functionally to operationalize mitigation and acceleration plans
Develop dynamic forecasting and projection capabilities
Design and own transparent, flexible, and data-driven projections to support monthly forecast cycles, annual planning, and long-range strategy
Enable scenario modeling, sensitivity analysis, and earnings impact quantification
Enhance ROI analytics
Increase rigor and discipline around ROI analysis for both recurring management actions and new initiatives
Establish frameworks for expected vs. realized benefit measurement
Drive fact-based decisioning for resource allocation and expense optimization
Deliver clear, succinct, and actionable insights
Provide senior leadership with insightful readouts on what is changing, why, and recommended actions
Ensure messaging aligns with Distribution and enterprise strategic objectives
Influence and challenge stakeholders when needed through strong storytelling and analytics
Stand up and lead monthly OpEx governance
Build and run a recurring, reliable, transparent, and insightful monthly OpEx results process
Partner with budget owners to review results, drivers, variances, and forecasts
Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and leadership-ready outputs
Build subject-matter command of Distribution OpEx
Maintain comprehensive understanding of all expense categories, funding mechanisms, headcount, compensation structures, technology and operations cost drivers, and vendor spend
Serve as the go-to expense authority for Distribution leadership
Leverage and extend Transamerica best-in-class OpEx processes
Fully adopt and champion Transamerica’s best-in-class OpEx methodologies
Identify opportunities to automate, streamline, or improve processes
Drive consistency and discipline across Distribution expense workflows
Redesign and manage headcount intake and approval process
Redesign headcount intake and governance using enterprise best practices
Partner with HR, FP&A, and Distribution leaders to ensure transparent, well-documented, and efficient approval flows
Evaluate headcount requests for strategic fit, ROI, funding availability, and long-term implications

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
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