Actuarial Associate I, Actuarial Student Program (ASP) bei American Equity

At American Equity we offer leading annuity products that help empower our clients to fulfill their needs and wants in retirement. Our success comes from hiring high-energy individuals who embody the beliefs that drive our unique culture. We currently fund over half a million retirements nationwide, and have been headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, for over twenty-five years with satellite offices in Charlotte, NC and New York, NY.

GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE JOB:    

The Actuarial Student Program (ASP) at AEL is an industry-leading program that demonstrates AEL’ s commitment to creating highly qualified business leaders.  As an ASP participant, you’ll be able to explore your unique interests while developing the essential actuarial, technical, management, communication, and leadership skills you need to succeed. The Actuarial Student Program includes a series of rotations, typically every 18-24 months. For each rotation, roles are available in different functional areas of the department. Experience gained will enable participants to become well-rounded actuaries with knowledge that may include Product Development, Pricing, Reinsurance, Inforce Management, Valuation, Financial Projections, Risk Management, Financial Planning & Analysis, Experience Studies, Modeling and Data Analytics & Actuarial Transformation.
 
ASP participants are expected to pass the Society of Actuaries’ exams at a prescribed pace. The program is designed to support you as you work towards your FSA and provide the training and resources necessary to become a well-rounded actuarial leader.
 
Additional Program Highlights:

• Highly competitive compensation package with salary increases and bonuses upon successful exam completion
• Social and training opportunities to enhance skills, network with ASP participants and build long-lasting industry relationships 
• Dedicated leaders and mentors to assist with career development
• Work with actuarial and data science software and technologies including MG-ALFA, Python, R, and Tableau
• Generous study time allowances for each exam sitting
• Payment and/or reimbursement of actuarial exam fees, materials, review courses, and seminars taken during the program

**Position is based in Des Moines, IA with an on-site working schedule**

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:   

As an Actuarial Associate I, you could be responsible for a variety of tasks and learning opportunities such as:

• Financial Reporting – Calculate US GAAP (FAS 133, MRB, LFPB, DAC, etc.) reserve, US Statutory reserve, or Bermuda BEL on a quarterly basis and assist with explaining results.
• Cash Flow Testing – Perform annual asset adequacy testing and required reporting enhancements.
• Assumptions and Experience Monitoring – Compiling inforce data to compare actuals versus expected and developing actuarial assumptions.
• Actuarial Modeling – Maintain existing actuarial models/tools, assist with mechanical and conceptual troubleshooting.
• Special Projects – Participate in ad hoc projects such as automation initiatives, modeling updates, unlocking support, and analytic tool build outs.
• Work with IT to bring inforce data into actuarial environments.
• Work with actuarial, data science software, and technologies including SQL, Python, R, and Tableau. 
• Develop, expand, and maintain validation tools such as spreadsheets used to verify model results.  Create and maintain proper documentation.
• Support the group’s actuarial initiatives and on-going business needs.
• Complete assigned projects with impactful outputs.
• Build relationships across different business units and actuarial functions.
• Collaborate with actuarial team members.
• Receive coaching and mentorship from senior actuarial team members and leaders.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:  

• Bachelor’s degree in actuarial science, mathematics, statistics or related field of study, or equivalent combination of education/and experience.
• At least two actuarial exams completed.
• Experience using SQL, RStudio, Python, VBA preferred.
• Commitment to continuing the actuarial exam process to obtain ASA Certification

  KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:    

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including ability to research and analyze data with little instruction.
• Strong preference of being self-motivated and results oriented.
• Exceptional attention to numeric and other detail.
• Effective organization skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and successfully with coworkers, customers, reinsurers, vendors, and other outside third parties.
• Ability to successfully handle pressure and meet deadlines in a face-paced work environment.
• Ability to successfully prioritize in an unpredictable workflow to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and development.

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This description covers the major purpose and essential functions of the job.  It is not intended to give all details or a step-by-step account of the way each task is to be performed.  Employees may receive other job-related instructions and be required to perform other job-related work requested by their manager.  All requirements are subject to possible modification to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.