The Opportunity

We are looking for a driven, collaborative and organized person that will be responsible for developing and executing the quarterly GAAP and STAT financial forecast process for MassMutual?s consolidated operations which includes insurance entities, affiliates and strategic investments. The forecast provides us insight into our forward-looking earnings and capital financial picture which enables strategic decision making.? This position will manage the overall forecast process and ensure that the essential tasks, reviews, signoffs and processes are completed in a timely and efficient manner. It?s essential that our forecast process has the appropriate level of governance and can be executed consistently.

We are in the process of transforming our financial forecast and management reporting capabilities.? We expect to implement the first iteration of the new forecast engine in 1Q21.? This will require constant refinement during non-forecast periods as we continue to enhance the tool using AGILE methodology.? We expect this role to help drive prioritization of enhancements,

implementation, user training, user interfaces, and continuous improvement / after action process.

The ideal candidate will have experience in both Agile and traditional program/project management and have experience in transforming financial forecast processes. This individual should excel at working collaboratively and cross-functionally with various internal organizations to ensure that MassMutual?s forecast is executed in the most efficient and timely manner possible. The ideal candidate will need to excel in communications with team, peers and leaders within and outside the communications function. An understanding of financial statements, driver-based forecasting, and life insurance or annuity products is a must, along with the ability to pay attention to detail while focusing on the big picture of the overall forecast process. The ideal candidate will also have experience with business intelligence technology.

The Team

The Strategic Planning and Forecasting Program Manager is a critical and influential role within the Strategic Planning and Forecasting team at MassMutual, and reports to the Head of Strategic Planning and Forecasting. This group is extremely dynamic consisting of individuals who have backgrounds in quantitative, analytical and actuarial fields of study. The team prides itself on being proactive and highly responsive to client needs, anticipating upcoming deliverables and taking accountability for proper execution. This role will also function as the ?air-traffic controller? for the team to ensure that all feedback is routed to the appropriate team member and resolved with an appropriate timeframe. Things move fast at MassMutual and our team is required to be able to ?roll with it,? and be hands-on when needed.?

The Impact:

• Drive MassMutual?s Forecast and Plan processes with continuous focus on refining process flow, identifying and driving improvements to better tell the story
  • Maintain and enhance the robust end-to-end financial forecasting process to ensure it is driver based and automated. Provide a holistic status of the overall health of the forecast cycles resources, timelines, etc.
  • Develop, manage, monitor and report on all forecast tasks, activities, expectations, controls and deliverables; provide metrics and benchmarks on delivery and efficiencies
  • Set strategic timeline of the financial forecast for Finance. Link forecast process flow and KPIs to key strategic, rating agency and senior executive deadlines
  • Actively manage the forecast process, prioritize competing responsibilities, coordinate across teams and with other key customers. Create and distribute all forecast related communications

• Enhance overall forecast /plan governance to ensure that the process is operationalized and executed in a consistent manner every time, provide stewardship to address cross-functional governance issues
• Influence in the design of future forecast processes and integrating strategic initiatives
• Provide training and support to ensure the Company?s self-service model is embraced; ensuring key users have the resources and dynamic workspace they need to operate the forecast tools / models and produce the deliverables they are accountable for
• Serve as an internal expert, consultant and resource accountable for MassMutual?s consolidated forecast and plan process flow. Understand GAAP and STAT accounting, forecast interdependencies, key economic assumptions, and general modeling for life and annuity products (data, tools / technology, financial impacts, etc.)
• Drive strategic planning for initiatives such as Forecast Dashboards; promote and develop self-serve analysis, detailed reporting, and utilization metrics while ensuring excellent quality controls
• Drive new data requirements, Anaplan reports and forecast requests

The Minimum Qualifications

• 7 years of work experience with a track record of increasing and progressive responsibility
• Bachelor?s degree in accounting, actuarial science, economics, finance or related discipline
• 2 years of project/program management or process improvement experience in a Finance organization
• Experience with software development and database development processes and delivery methods

• Strong analytical, time management and problem-solving skills; ability to analyze process flows and highlight inefficiencies
• Strong degree of financial acumen including but not limited to:
  • Understanding of various insurance products including; whole life, variable annuity, fixed annuity, BOLI, COLI, disability etc.
  • GAAP and STAT Technical accounting for life and annuity insurance products

The Ideal Qualifications

• Retirement Services or Financial services experience
• Scrum Master Certification ????????
• Techniques, such as Jira, Confluence, Scrum and Kanban
• Agile experience highly desired; Agile certification a plus

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Familiarity with predictive forecasting techniques and scenario modeling
• Experience leading cross functional product/ project teams to execute and achieve success on complex, high value deliverables
• Former technical experience is preferred, such as working with data engineering/science/analytics teams or experience developing and/or deploying

• Proven ability to complete high quality work efficiently and increase autonomy over time
• Experience with different types of legal entities, transfer pricing, allocations and consolidation a plus
• Able to build and maintain strong working relationships across cross-functional groups
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to express ideas in an articulate, organized and persuasive manner to leadership, staff, rating agencies, etc.
• Able to work well under pressure and manage multiple deliverables

What to Expect as Part of MassMutual and the Team

• Regular meetings with the Strategic Planning & Forecast Team
• Focused one-on-one meetings with your manager
• Access to mentorship opportunities
• Networking opportunities including access to Asian, Hispanic/Latinx, African American, women, LGBTQ, veteran and disability-focused Business Resource Groups
• Access to learning content on Degreed and other informational platforms
• Your ethics and integrity will be valued by a company with a strong and stable ethical nosiness with industry leading pay and benefits

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